Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide

Martyrdom vs Suicide

Martyrdom and Suicide are two words that are often confused in terms of their usage as most people are unaware of the differences between them. Strictly speaking, these two words should not be taken as words that convey the same meaning. Martyrdom is dying for the sake of one’s country or his people. On the other hand, suicide is killing oneself to escape from responsibilities of life. This is the main difference between the two words. This article attempts to highlight the differences while elucidating the two terms.

What is Martyrdom?

It is important to know that Martyrdom is a status that a person attains after laying down his body and life for the sake of the independence of his own country, or for any other reason connected with the welfare of his people. The cause a person is dying for is important to consider when identifying the difference between martyrdom and suicide. In the case of martyrdom, the cause a person is dying for is centered on selflessness but in suicide it is not. Martyrdom is dubbed as a result of brave act. People admire martyrs, and they are remembered even after their death. Martyrdom is not punishable by law. It is interesting to note that there are many characteristics associated with martyrdom. The opponents kill the hero because of his commitment to the cause. The hero, on the other hand, continues to get involved in the cause despite knowing the fact that his life is in danger. In other words, the hero or the martyr continues to work for a cause although; he faces several threats to his life. He sees risks, but yet works continuously for a cause. The death of the hero is commemorated in the case of martyrdom. People would call the person a martyr that has attained martyrdom. These are the important characteristics of martyrdom. The stories of war heroes and ancient warriors bear evidence to the truth of Martyrdom. Now let us pay attention to Suicide.

What is Suicide?

Suicide is an act performed with a selfish motive of laying down life to get relieved from the burdens of life. Great thinkers of the past have criticized the act of suicide in their works and poems. Though the cause, of dying in Martyrdom, was based on selflessness in suicide, it is different. In the case of suicide, the cause a person is dying for is usually centered on his interests. Suicide is a cowardly act. People tend to forget such of those who have committed suicide. The attempt to commit suicide is punishable by law. The person who attempts self-immolation or any other type of suicide is liable to strict punishment too. People criticize a person who has committed the crime of suicide. They would even call such a person a coward. This, however, cannot be justified as people may suffer due to various reasons and arrive at a point where they completely lose faith in life and feel helpless which make them commit suicide. The death of a person that has committed suicide is not commemorated at all unlike in the case of Martyrdom. It is important to know that many people get inspired by the lives led by martyrs. On the other hand, people do not get inspired by the lives of such of those who have ended their lives for selfish motives. These are the differences between martyrdom and suicide.

What is the Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide?

• Martyrdom is dying for the sake of one’s country or his people. On the other hand, suicide is killing oneself to escape from responsibilities of life.
• The cause, of dying in Martyrdom, is selflessness but in Suicide it is selfish interests.
• Suicide is a cowardly act, whereas martyrdom is dubbed as a result of brave act.
• Many people get inspired by the lives led by martyrs. On the other hand, people do not get inspired by the lives of such of those who have ended their lives for selfish motives.

Image Courtesy: “Jacob van Oost (I) – Female Martyr – WGA16650” by Jacob van Oost (I) – Web Gallery of Art [Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons