No one would willingly be tortured to death for anything, in my opinion...the key problem in that being "willingly"...but there are some people who will hold up for a very long time under torture. That can be for a variety of reasons, such as their own pride and defiance...or their desire to protect others or honor them in some way.

I agree with Lighter that the primary issue is whether people are willing to risk death on behalf of someone or something, and that is what most great heroism is dependent upon.