Die for What You Believe in
Mallory Ramos
Period: 8
March 7, 2013
A.P. English Language and Composition
Because many important people have died for what they believe to make the world a better place the claim that “It is better to die for what you believe in rather than to lie to save your life” is the right thing to do. Martyr: a person who is put to death or endures great suffering on behalf of any belief, principle, or cause. The person that comes to mind for a lot of people when you read the definition of martyr is probably Jesus Christ. Jesus spread the word of God and did not let anyone stop him. He was crucified because he would not worship or bow down to anyone except his God. Jesus knew that the consequence was death, but he did not let that change his mind. He stood up for what he believed in until the very end. He never lied or went against his beliefs to save his life.
This is not the only time that someone stood up for what they believe in. Everyday there are people being persecuted for what they believe in. In the Middle East there are conflicts between religious groups. They kill each other every day because both sides are standing up for what they believe is right. Although religion is the cause of many people dying for what they believe in, it is not the only one.
Some would say that there are exceptions to this statement. If your death would not benefit a cause, why die for it and if the lie would not hurt anyone else, why not lie to save yourself? But think about this; if you lie, to save your life, you have to live the rest of your life remembering that you lied. I would much rather die, knowing that I had stood up for something that I believed in, than live with the guilt of the lie. If you lie about what you believe in, then did you really believe in it? Lying to save your life is just giving in. Whoever you lied to now has power over you, because you are trapped in the lie that you created. The rest of your life has to revolve around that lie. Is it really
Period: 8
March 7, 2013
A.P. English Language and Composition
Because many important people have died for what they believe to make the world a better place the claim that “It is better to die for what you believe in rather than to lie to save your life” is the right thing to do. Martyr: a person who is put to death or endures great suffering on behalf of any belief, principle, or cause. The person that comes to mind for a lot of people when you read the definition of martyr is probably Jesus Christ. Jesus spread the word of God and did not let anyone stop him. He was crucified because he would not worship or bow down to anyone except his God. Jesus knew that the consequence was death, but he did not let that change his mind. He stood up for what he believed in until the very end. He never lied or went against his beliefs to save his life.
This is not the only time that someone stood up for what they believe in. Everyday there are people being persecuted for what they believe in. In the Middle East there are conflicts between religious groups. They kill each other every day because both sides are standing up for what they believe is right. Although religion is the cause of many people dying for what they believe in, it is not the only one.
Some would say that there are exceptions to this statement. If your death would not benefit a cause, why die for it and if the lie would not hurt anyone else, why not lie to save yourself? But think about this; if you lie, to save your life, you have to live the rest of your life remembering that you lied. I would much rather die, knowing that I had stood up for something that I believed in, than live with the guilt of the lie. If you lie about what you believe in, then did you really believe in it? Lying to save your life is just giving in. Whoever you lied to now has power over you, because you are trapped in the lie that you created. The rest of your life has to revolve around that lie. Is it really