The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #149149   Message #3469402
Posted By: Bee-dubya-ell
21-Jan-13 - 08:41 AM
Thread Name: BS: What Belief(s) Would You Die For?
Subject: RE: BS: What Belief(s) Would You Die For?
It depends on what you men by "Die for."

The phrase could mean:

1) To willingly perform an action which one knows will result in certain death. Think suicide bombers, kamikaze pilots. I hold no belief strongly enough to consider such a death.

2) To fight in armed conflict against an opposing force which threatens one's beliefs. Death is a recognized possibility, but survival is preferable. For me, it's sort of a moot subject since I'm too old for military service.

3) To be killed while exercising one's rights, beliefs or principles in a non-violent manner. Think Kent State, MLK, RFK. Death is a fairly remote possibility. I suppose there's a chance I might die by being clubbed at a peace march or shot while escorting women into abortion clinics. (Neither of these are activities in which I'm currently involved, but such involvement remains possible.)

4) To die in the course of one's professional obligations. Think police officers, first responders. Death is an occupational hazard. Not applicable to me.

5) To die in a spontaneous act of bravery. Think someone like Gamble Rogers, who drowned while saving someone else's life. Always a possibility. You never know until it happens.