Reclaiming the good name of Martyrdom

Suicide is a hideous sin. The great monotheistic traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all agree on this. Someone who considers intentionally destroying the gift of one’s own life should rightfully and greatly fear what will come in the afterlife. May God have mercy on us all.

Yet evil men now make a virtue of suicide that is also homicidal and call it “martyrdom.” It is a perversion of their own faith and of the reason God gave them. It is a defilement of name and concept of martyrdom. The punishment for such evil will be never-ending. May God have mercy on us all.

True martyrs do not seek the death of others. As a rule, they do not even seek the death of those who slay them. True martyrs pray for their persecutors. True martyrs are focused not on death but on standing firm for the faith. True martyrs love.

Faith of our Fathers, we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife:
And preach thee too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life:
Faith of our Fathers, Holy Faith,
We will be true to thee till death.