Here is a defintion of martyr I picked up off the web: englishplus.com
"What Is a Martyr?
The dictionary which I refer to is the Funk and Wagnalls. Its main definition of martyr is "one who submits to death rather than forswear his religion." The other definitions have to do with suffering or dying unjustly. The implication is always that the person is a victim. To call a soldier who dies in battle or anyone who commits suicide a martyr is to twist the meaning of the word"
My take is that to use it to describe the terrorists is not appropriat. I have found nobody or any definition that states that is the appropriate use except for Ray, you and seachre. Explain to me why I am WRONG to have this belief. These guys were terrorists bent on killing innocents. That we both can agree, is not the definition. When a person like Ray uses the term to describe them he is implying sort of a heroic victim kind of status on the disgusting terrorists. It should be offensive to all people who consider these people terrorists (as you have stated that you do). Why you want to stick up for the use of the term to describe them is beyond me. Ray won't do it, but you and seachre will. Fine by me, but knock off the lectures about the use of the word.
"I would like you to show where I literally said terrorist is the equivalent of martyr"
Here is your sentence to describe the people who did the killing on 9-11-01. You used it to lecture me on not knowing the meaning of "martyr". You used the word "terrorist" where Ray uses "martyr", so you seem to think they are interchangeable. I think they are not, and actually complimented you for using the word terrorist. You see if you used "martyr", my position (and all others I have checked with) is you are giving the TERRORISTS some recognition and credibility they DO NOT DESERVE. A martyr SACRIFICES, and a terrorist "kills to coerce". They are different, and I think you know that. So back to my question:
Do you think the men that hi-jacked the airplane and used them as bombs to kill 3,000 innocent people are A) Terrotist, or B) Martyrs, or C) Both. Please answer this. My position seems pretty clear. Yours is not. |
