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other subjects > arts and humanities > theology > religion > martyrs and martyrdom

Preferred term

martyrs and martyrdom  

Definition

  • The word martyr comes from the Greek noun martus meaning “witness.” But the term martyr in general speech is used elastically. Often little distinction is made between someone who puts up with difficult circumstances and is therefore considered a bit of a martyr, someone of political significance who is assassinated and subsequently proclaimed a martyr, someone caught in the cross fire of a political or religious confrontation or conflict and dies a martyr, or someone who believes so strongly in something that they are willing to die a heroic, often violent death as a result of remaining steadfast in their convictions and so die rather than relinquish or concede their faith or ideals. [Source: Encyclopedia of Death and the Human Experience; Martyrs and Martyrdom]

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https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/martyrs_and_martyrdom

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