In its [[original]] [[meaning]], the [[word]] martyr, [[meaning]] [[witness]], was used in the [[secular]] [[sphere]] as well as in the [[New Testament]] of the [[Bible]].[1] The [[process]] of bearing [[witness]] was not intended to lead to the [[death]] of the witness, although it is known from ancient writers (e.g. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephus Josephus]) and from the [[New Testament]] that witnesses often died for their testimonies. | In its [[original]] [[meaning]], the [[word]] martyr, [[meaning]] [[witness]], was used in the [[secular]] [[sphere]] as well as in the [[New Testament]] of the [[Bible]].[1] The [[process]] of bearing [[witness]] was not intended to lead to the [[death]] of the witness, although it is known from ancient writers (e.g. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephus Josephus]) and from the [[New Testament]] that witnesses often died for their testimonies. |