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What do you think about martyrs?

It depends on what we mean by the term "martyr". What is both the intention and the impact? Standing for truth is different from being stubborn, and aggression is different from protection.

For example, someone might commit a murder-suicide and think themselves a "martyr", whereas another would choose to put themselves between danger and the innocent to the point of death, and thus be considered a "martyr" by others for doing so.

Further, neither action might mean much of anything to someone who does not identify with either of their causes. We need both a constructive intention and a constructive means of carrying it out. Otherwise, one simply throws their own life away and harms other lives.

I cherish life, including my own, so I will direct all of it towards trying to increase life for as many as I possibly can. This often runs counter to what is "popular" and I have sacrificed much personal comfort in the process. Is this martyrdom?

Martyrdom could also be a status or title that is given, but it was used in the sense of someone who sacrifices their own life or everything dear to them for what they believe. The ideas are also not necessarily linked, a person who sacrifices everything is not always a martyr.

I think martyrdom is proven by death or near death, so great suffering does not qualify.