The return of martyrdom: Honour, death and immortality

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

The return of martyrdom as an ideal calls for specifying the psychological mechanisms involved. Sacralised violence gives death a cosmic meaning, while death in the service of a secular ideology, national or supra-national, can have only a historical meaning. The idea and the ideal of martyrdom, central to all historical religions, have been marginalised in the modern world, as the creation of sacred space has been narrowed. Modernity means the marginalisation of honour, death and immortality, which were once so central to humans. The inspiration for martyrdom, both for individuals and for groups, must include not only honour and the belief in immortality, but real despair as well.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationReligious Fundamentalism and Political Extremism
PublisherFrank Cass
Pages11-34
Number of pages24
ISBN (Print)0203010965, 9780203010969
DOIs
StatePublished - 25 Mar 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Social Sciences

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