Concept in Definition ABC

The word martyrdom has two recurring uses in our language, on the one hand, one associated with the religion, since it implies the death or suffering that someone suffers or is willing to suffer for defending a religion or some belief linked to a religious doctrine.

Religion: suffering or death that a faithful is willing to endure in defense of their beliefs

And on the other hand, it is frequent that in ordinary language we use the word martyrdom to denominate that situation or issue that causes us tremendous suffering and pain.

That is, in both senses the word has a close connection with suffering and pain.

It should be noted that the origin of the word martyrdom is in direct harmony with the various attacks and torture that the Christianity it must have faced in its early days of existence.

At the beginning of this religious doctrine, many of its faithful, followers and exponents, even the son of God Jesus, they must have suffered martyrdom as a consequence of defending their beliefs and ideals at all costs, since were cruelly persecuted and humiliated by those who believed that they were telling lies and profanity.

In the centuries after the crucifixion of Christ, many Christians were martyred for professing the aforementioned religious faith; sadism was such that a good part of them were left to bleed on the cross, increasing the picture of martyrdom much more.

Just the crucifixion of Jesus is a symbol of the martyrdom that can be lived and endured for defending a religious belief.

Jesus carried his cross a long way as he was flogged and then was nailed to it through his hands and feet, and crowned with a crown of thorns to add more to it. tragedy and pain at his martyrdom.

Meanwhile, that individual who dies at the behest of the defense of some religious cause, or of another nature, but is also intimately linked to a doctrine and ideal, is popularly called a martyr.

Especially within religion such a situation of having died without giving up and with an absolute commitment to principles is understood as a sacrifice that testifies to that faith that is known to exist, but that of course, with the extreme demonstration of giving up life for the cause, it becomes even more evident.

But not only Christianity has observed martyrs in its history, other monotheistic religions such as the Islam They also worship their martyrs, since in the most extreme Islamism, there are faithful who decide to immolate themselves in the name of some cause of their belief.

Islamic extremism and its martyrdoms

Such a situation could be verified in the tragic attacks on the Twin Towers of New York, in which members of the Islamic radical network Al Qaeda they agreed to crash into a airplane against them in the name of the cause they decided to pursue.

And currently we assist with astonishment and with amazement to more cases like this last one, in which, generally very young individuals, with extreme beliefs about Islam, they decide to immolate themselves in the name of their god Allah and with the idea of ​​punishing those who they believe defy them and they attack.

The Islamic terrorist organization Isis or Islamic State, as it is also known, is stalking heavy blows in various European cities, such as France, Germany and United Kingdom, precisely encouraging these young people, called "lone wolves" to attack the inhabitants of these large areas with utter cruelty. cities.

None of these even care to lose their lives in that circumstance, they consider that the act they carry out is worthy of that sacrifice.

The latest attacks in the City of London and Manchester where people were run over and stabbed and detonated an explosive device, respectively, they show that enormous madness and cruelty with which they act.

But not only religion has created martyrs, also the politics, the defense of substantial causes, such as the independence of a nation have been the detonators of the action of ordinary people who gave their lives to defend the Liberty and autonomy of your country.

Very hard work or task

Likewise, in common parlance, we usually use the word martyrdom to give an account of that activity or work that is extremely overwhelming and heavy for us.

There are jobs that, due to the conditions that they imply in terms of physical and mental demands, end up becoming for many a true martyrdom, difficult to bear.

Themes in Martirio