4 ms·
In much of the Muslim world, it is common practice to call people who die in war "martyrs". The Arabic word is "shahid" and just like the word "martyr", it lite
by afshin 11y ago
In much of the Muslim world, it is common practice to call people who die in war "martyrs". The Arabic word is "shahid" and just like the word "martyr", it literally means "witness". These are people who are considered basically heaven-bound. They skip the queue, they don't need to worry about their past sins, because they died in the service of their faith. This belief is widely accepted, although it varies exactly whom is a martyr. But I suspect that as long as the very idea of straight-to-heaven martyrdom exists among the vast majority of Muslims, smaller offshoot death cults are almost inevitable. It's a pretty linear progression.
Language does matter and the words used to describe people who fight and die violently matters a lot.
- ci5er 11y agoAre you describing something, diagnosing something or prescribing something? Based on this comment, what do you want us to learn/know/understand or do?
- afshin 11y agoI'm pointing out a parallel with the premise of the original article. The way people describe and name things shapes how it is perceived and shapes its acceptability. If you're familiar with American politics, consider the left's phrase "pro-choice" vs the right's depiction of the same position as "pro-abortion". They both know they're describing the same thing, and both are attempting to win the battle of hearts and minds.
- ci5er 11y agoThat's an excellent distinction. Are you sure it maps? EDIT: It may well map. Thank you.
- deleted 11y ago[deleted]
- r-w 11y agoI think you were referring to "pro-choice" versus "pro-life".
- afshin 11y agoI wasn't referring to "pro-life". While that is one of the right's phrases for it, I was specifically referring to the more extreme usage "pro-abortion". Here is an example: http://www.issues4life.org/pdfs/news_20100307a.pdf http://www.issues4life.org/pdfs/news_20100307a.pdf