Muslim often get very touchy about who is and isn’t a “martyr”, because we believe that those who are “martyrs” (shaheed) for the cause of Islam will have a high reward in the life hereafter.
Just curious if other religions have similar beliefs?
Are there martyrs in Judaism, Christianity, Hinduim, Budhism etc. Is there a difference in status for ordinary killed and being martyred?
Yes.
With help from Catholic Encylopedia...
The Greek word martus signifies a witness who testifies to a fact of which he has knowledge from personal observation....
So depends on how one defines martyr.
Catholic tradition for the most part defines martyr:
"those who died for the faith" *****
Example would be..
early christians who were slain because they were christians
however...
One must note*
Acceptance of the national religion in antiquity was an obligation incumbent on all citizens; failure to worship the gods of the State was equivalent to treason.*
Christians who refused worship of the "pagan" Gods were put to death.
During the Crusades, Pope Urban called on Christian males to become martyrs… Infact, i started a thread on this - i forget what it was called. This particular Pope at that time wrote a very interesting speech calling for Christians to sacrifice themselves to prevent the heathens * from usurping more lands and spreading their infidel faith. Very very interesting use of words he employed. i’ll try to find the title of the thread because it contains a link to his words.
Edit: It was this thread.*
This is a semitic idiocy. The concept of martyrdom should be made haraam asap. It will stop the killing of innocents and hopefully make the stupid parents and their kids realize that there are better ways to salvation than blowing yourself up and taking out a few others. Like reading and planting a tree. Friggin nutcases! 
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This is a semitic idiocy.
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half the sikh festivals/rituals are based on commemorating the martyrdom of one sikh or the other.
Matsui, there is a difference between ‘martyrdom’ and ‘suicide bombing’. DO I need to explain further?. 
Added later: well wait a minute. I should open up a thread on this one. I am not sure my comment will set with some people.
Agreed FG/Ravage. My comment is more related to suicide bombings and the crusades. driven by some religious sense of duty the onus people take upon themselves or are lauded by their fellow practitioners that by killing others along with themselves they are doing god's bidding.
The Sikh gurus were killed for their belief after refusing to convert, HUGE difference. That to me is a great person...not someone who for his belief takes out a few others who don't second their sentiments for osme ill perceived wrong.
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*Originally posted by Matsui: *
Agreed FG/Ravage. My comment is more related to suicide bombings and the crusades. driven by some religious sense of duty the onus people take upon themselves or are lauded by their fellow practitioners that by killing others along with themselves they are doing god's bidding.
The Sikh gurus were killed for their belief after refusing to convert, HUGE difference. That to me is a great person...not someone who for his belief takes out a few others who don't second their sentiments for osme ill perceived wrong.
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The greatest icon of martyrdom in Islam is Imam Hussein (no not just for shias, for all Muslims). perhaps his history would make an interesting read for you.
yeah..expand upon him ravage
way too much you ask of me my man.
i could give u some good references. stay tuned and in a coupla hours i'll hunt some out.
Well he was killed because the sitting caliph asked for his allegiance or something right and he refused and then was on his way to mecca or something or iraq and was killed in karbala. What was the deal with his refusal of allegiance if the caliph had been appointed or elected or annointed byt he rituals of islam at that time?
Re: Martyrs --- in other religions
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*Originally posted by Faisal: *
Are there martyrs in Judaism, Christianity, Hinduim, Budhism etc. Is there a difference in status for ordinary killed and being martyred?
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The first "martyr" in Christianity was Stephen a deacon. (Acts.7v60) Paul was a witness and aproved of his stoning.
According to Revelation 20v4 those that were martyred during the Antichrist's reign, got to rule with Jesus Christ for a 1000 years. Some other indications exist that martyrs with receive compensation in the form of ruling positions in the hereafter.
In Christianity a martyr is someone that lost his/her live while proclaimimg Jesus Christ as Lord. The concept that a martyr is someone that lost his live in a just fight for his God is foreign to Christianity. A martyr is therefor someone that lost his live without a fight because he considered his faith/God of more value.
In Christianity everything that is permitted now, will be permitted in the hereafter - everything that is not permitted now, will not be permitted in the hereafter.
Re: Re: Martyrs --- in other religions
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*Originally posted by The Old Man: *
The concept that a martyr is someone that lost his live in a just fight for his God is foreign to Christianity.
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When you say "foreign", so you mean that it is against christianity or is some thing that is added later?
Anyway, what about Judaism? Its probably just semantics, but does one consider Yitzak Rabin as a 'martyr'?
Re: Re: Re: Martyrs --- in other religions
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*Originally posted by Faisal: *
When you say "foreign", so you mean that it is against christianity or is some thing that is added later?
Anyway, what about Judaism? Its probably just semantics, but does one consider Yitzak Rabin as a 'martyr'?
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"Foreign" as in not forming part of standard Christian theology.
Rabin can not be considered a religious martyr but rather a political one.
Martyrs in our eyes, who knows are martyrs in God eyes? God knows.
We call them Martyrs because they died for the faith we believe is Truth. True or not true. God knows but we believe.