Martyrdom

When people of faith encounter hostile authorities who feel threatened by their convictions and values, some may pay the ultimate price.

Father Moon explains from a spiritual viewpoint that whenever goodness advances, Satan exacts his toll. That is why it is often the best people who are sacrificed.

The word “martyr” means witness. In their steadfastness in the face of death, the martyrs bear testimony to their faith and to God, who inspires such faith. The example of the martyr, who places God above his or her own life, is powerful and inspiring.

Martyrdom, therefore, strengthens the community of faith, deepening its roots and furthering its growth. Tertullian famously wrote, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Today some regard fighters who die in the course of offensive operations that take innocent lives, e.g., suicide bombers, as martyrs.

If that is martyrdom, it is the weakest form. The highest form of martyrdom stands on the foundation of goodness and mercy, even as Jesus blessed the Roman soldiers who nailed him to the cross.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116.15

Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. Matthew 24.9

Surely, the gates of Paradise are beneath the shadow of swords.
Hadith of Muslim (Islam)

Count not those who were slain in God’s way as dead, but rather living with their Lord, by Him provided, rejoicing in the bounty that God has given them, and joyful in those who remain behind and have not joined them, because no fear shall be upon them, neither shall they sorrow, joyful in the blessing and bounty from God, and that God leaves not to waste the wage of the believers. And those who answered God and the Messenger after the wound had smitten them—to all those of them who did good and feared God—shall be a mighty wage. Qur’an 3.169-71

Holy is the death of heroic men, Who lay down their lives in an approved cause. Such alone may be called heroes, as at the Divine Portal obtain true honor: Obtaining honor at the Divine Portal, with honor they depart, And in the hereafter they suffer not. Such reward they shall obtain if on the Sole Lord they meditate, Whose service drives away all fears. They utter not aloud their suffering; they bear all in their minds— The Lord himself knows all. Holy is the death of heroic men, Who lay down their lives in an approved cause. Adi Granth, Wadhans, Alahaniyan Dirges, M.1, pp. 579f. (Sikhism)

When Rabbi Akiba was taken out for execution, it was the hour for the recital of the Shema, and while they combed his flesh with iron combs, he was accepting upon himself the kingship of heaven [by reciting the Shema]. His disciples said to him, “Our teacher, even to this point?” He said to them, “All my days I have been troubled over this verse, “with all your soul” [Deut. 6.5], which I interpret “even if He takes your soul.” When shall I have the opportunity of fulfilling this? Now that I have the opportunity, shall I not fulfill it?” He prolonged the last word [of the Shema] until he expired while saying it.6 Talmud, Berakot 61b (Judaism)

When the Rajah of Kalinga mutilated my body, I was at that time free from the idea of an egoidentity, a personality, a being, and a separated individuality. Wherefore? Because then when my limbs were cut away piece by piece, had I been bound by the distinctions aforesaid, feelings of anger and hatred would have been aroused within me. Diamond Sutra 14 (Buddhism)

Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the congregation of the Freedmen [as it was called], and some of the Cyrenians, the Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated men, who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the Law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place [the temple], and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. And the high priest said, “Is this so?” And Stephen said, “Brethren and fathers, hear me… Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth against him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together against him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he died. Acts 6.8-7.2, 7.54-60

To seal the testimony of this book and the Book of Mormon, we announce the martyrdom of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and Hyrum Smith the Patriarch. They were shot in Carthage jail, on the 27th of June, 1844, about five o’clock p.m., by an armed mob—painted black—of from 150 to 200 persons. Hyrum was shot first and fell calmly, exclaiming: “I am a dead man!” Joseph leaped from the window, and was shot dead in the attempt, exclaiming, “O Lord my God!” They were both shot after they were dead, and both received four balls. Doctrine and Covenants 135.1 (Latter-day Saints)

If physical death is the price that I must pay to free my white brothers and sisters from a permanent death of the spirit, then nothing can be more redemptive.7 Martin Luther King, Jr. (Christianity)

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
Great religions were born and grew up in the soil of persecution and martyrdom.

They stand on a foundation of the precious traditions of their founders. Therefore, we must not avoid sacrifices as we recover the original honor of our religions. (271:72, August 21, 1995)

Throughout history, religions have taught the value of sacrifice, ultimately to guide people in approaching God. The Stairway to Heaven has thousands of steps.

For each step, God must triumph and Satan must be defeated, but each time Satan demands his maximum price—a sacrifice. Satan does not like to be defeated. That is why so many martyrs appeared in Christian history.

Christianity has produced more martyrs than any other religion because it is the central religion of the providence. To human eyes, each martyr’s death looked like a setback, yet in fact it was a victory for God.

The martyrs are the reason Christianity kept advancing victoriously despite opposition and persecution. At every step, Satan demanded a huge sacrifice as the price for his defeat. (130:283)

Christianity today is proud of its history of martyrdom. In every place and in every age, wherever Christianity spread its martyrs have shed blood. The blood they shed laid the foundation for Christian missions.

However, we should not just reflect on the miserable sacrifices suffered by individuals, families, or groups. Know that God, in guiding them, walked a path more tragic than theirs. (13:220-21, March 22, 1964)

Have you ever thought that you might be defeated or fall away? Never allow it to happen, even at the point of death! You should not waver even in the face of execution by a firing squad or the torture of having each knuckle of your fingers severed.

Live your entire life this way and you will have transcended life and death. Then you can be a friend of God, because He is transcendent of life and death. Though you may be killed, since you transcend life and death, you will live on as a friend of God. (66:317, May 17, 1973)

No matter what pain, sorrow, and suffering they may face, those who know that their position is based upon the Universal Teaching are not shaken; they shall overcome those hills. Those who think, “I am a person who can tolerate this suffering, and I will not surrender even on this hill of death,” are successful in the course of life.

Those who think, “I will not change the direction of my life, no matter what hills of persecution and death come to me. I have a value that cannot be replaced with anything under the sun,” are citizens of Heaven. Whether on earth they live or die, they still belong to Heaven. (9:166, May 8, 1960)

Many people were martyred in the two thousand years of Christian history. You should be ready to follow in their footsteps, saying, “I offer my life for Heaven. My death will lay the foundation to liberate all the people.” Then you will surely create that foundation.

When the time comes, instead of ten thousand people dying, God will fulfill His promise to you and save the important people in your family and tribe. Your sacrifice is that important. As long as your foundation remains, future generations will stand on that foundation and rise up. (218:236, August 19, 1991)

At the time of Jesus’ death, Israel and Rome were his enemies, but rather than curse these enemies, Jesus loved them and taught his disciples to love them.

He resolved, “Rome may be my enemy today, but in the future Rome will surely be blessed through my followers.” That blessing was more than enough to save Rome.

Jesus wanted more than anything to give Rome this blessing. Thinking of Rome’s future, he forgave the Roman soldiers and blessed them. (101:151, October 29, 1978)

A person who becomes a martyr in order to enter heaven will fall down to hell.

However, a person who is willing to go into hell in order to send the whole world to heaven will be brought into the Kingdom of Heaven, even if he protests. (39:197, January 10, 1971)