Martyrdom and the Truth

I was recently asked, “Because people were willing to die for their belief, whether it was in a person or a way of life or whatever it was, does that automatically make it true?”

This is a very interesting question. I know there have been lots of martyrs of varying cultural and religious backgrounds who have died for different reasons. In looking through some of them (e.g. Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Socrates, Martin Luther King, Jr., etc.), I find myself wondering, “Is the actual belief they died for, regardless of our other differences, something I would disagree with today?” And, honestly, I think the answer is no.

The fact is, healthy, rational people don’t give up their lives for a belief that, for them at least, is in question. The truth of that belief matters a great deal and the stakes for denying the truth of that belief and seen as so high that death is better than disbelief. The most famous martyrs in history all died for something that, to me at least, has the ring of truth.

Now, obviously, their contemporaries didn’t believe similarly—otherwise, there would’ve been no reason to martyr oneself for it. But, their deaths did make others sit up and take notice. Their deaths also got the attention of more powerful, thoughtful, truth-seeking folks who spread the message further.

So, I guess the answer to this question is: No, martyring oneself for a belief doesn’t make it true. But, it’s certainly a good way to get people to give it another look. And, martyrdom has done a great deal to massively alter our global philosophies and humanitarian ideals.