Poll: Who would die for the philosophy of Christ?

[dostoyevskyfan]

In the vein of the death of Socrates, who gave up his life for a belief in “Justice”, who would willingly give up thier life for a belief in Christ if it ever comes to that point?

I’m not talking about “bombing an abortion clinic”, the circumstances would include a proposition made by earthly authority to either renounce your belief in all of the teachings of Christ and the church He established, the Catholic Church, or die…if you choose to renounce, you would have no opportunity to go to confession…what would you choose?

 

[super_squirrel]

Nope, if the government said to deny it, I would just be doing what I was told by the bible:

“Everyone must submit themselves to the govening authorities”–Romans 13:1

Now of course, I’ve been known to interpret things wrong before…

 

[VetA]

Nope, if the government said to deny it, I would just be doing what I was told by the bible:

“Everyone must submit themselves to the govening authorities”–Romans 13:1

Now of course, I’ve been known to interpret things wrong before…

i dont think that means to deny christ for the sake of submitting to the governing authorities. if the government said that everyone had to sacrifice their first child to satan, i do not think this verse would apply

 

[JohnDamian]

I would like to think that I would; although I may say I am certain now; when push comes to shove how can I be sure that I will be certain then?

 

[Paul_Rimmer]

At my very best I would be like St. Thomas More. I’d embrace martyrdom only at the very last moment, and only if I absolutely had to. I’d definitely not be the very last to go. I’d stretch definitions, hide my faith, worship in secret, do everything I could to preserve myself and my family.

At the end, though, I don’t know what I would do. If I kept my faith authentically, I’d stand for it, and die for it.

 

[brb3]

to either renounce your belief in all of the teachings of Christ and the church He established, the Catholic Church, or die…if you choose to renounce, you would have no opportunity to go to confession…what would you choose?

It would appear the Early Church Christians were being forced to renounce Christ & Christianity … and many would not, chosing martyrdom. Yes, if it comes to this question … one MUST accept death. Also, Stephen was killed for preaching the Gospel to the Jews. He was not asked to recant … which he wouldn’t of anyways, yet he prayed for their forgiveness even as being stoned.

Does anyone know in EARLY century history where they were being asked to renounce their Church … ie, they were being asked to stop going to Mass — or face death ?

 

[CDNowak]

I would die for my faith once I was arrested (ie inescapable), but I would be willing to fight and certainly to go to ground first.

Nope, if the government said to deny it, I would just be doing what I was told by the bible:

“Everyone must submit themselves to the govening authorities”–Romans 13:1

Now of course, I’ve been known to interpret things wrong before…

~“Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
Also see 2 Maccabees (the seven sons)

 

[dostoyevskyfan]

Does anyone know in EARLY century history where they were being asked to renounce their Church … ie, they were being asked to stop going to Mass — or face death ?

This happened for 300 years, begginning when Nero started the fire in rome and scapegoatted the Christians, ending in 313 with the Edict of Milan which allowed Christians to worship freely and publicly.

If it weren’t for the early martyrs, the Church would not exist. I suspect the end of the Church to be a lot like the begginnging, but this is just an educated guess.

EDIT I don’t think the church has ever encouraged people to actively seek martyrdom. I don’ think God has either. It’s just a logical consequence of suscribing to a belief system that is against the modus operandi of the world, and against the ruler of the world (Satan).

 

[Sarpedon]

The chance to go to confession would be irrelevant, since we can have repentance by desire.

 

[CDNowak]

EDIT I don’t think the church has ever encouraged people to actively seek martyrdom. I don’ think God has either. It’s just a logical consequence of suscribing to a belief system that is against the modus operandi of the world, and against the ruler of the world (Satan).

Missionaries (ie Early Jesuits), Crusades and the Venerable English College come to mind as the closest the Church has come to encouraging martyrdom.

 

[dostoyevskyfan]

The chance to go to confession would be irrelevant, since we can have repentance by desire.

The question is intended to be posed as a hypothetical moral dilemma with only 2 options; much like “lifeboat” problems that arise in the philosophy of ethics.

That being said, I know many traditionalists who reject baptism by “desire” or baptism by “blood”. After the resurrection, a water baptism is necessary for salvation and to remove original sin. The church never infallibly teaches baptism by either. The thief on the cross and others before Christ died were not bound by the new covenant.

But I’m getting off topic. To publicly deny the faith would be mortal sin and would require confession for absolution; it may even qualify as the only unforgivable sin–blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. Assume for the sake of the poll that there are no priests left to absolve you and no way to achieve a “perfect act of contrition”. What would you do?

 

[The_Scott]

I would, indeed.
For didn’t Christ predict this very same thing; saying that it will not be an easy ride to follow him:
Mark 8:34-35:

He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.”