Live a lie or die a martyr?

[Xixikal]

I'm currently studying the play 'The Crucible' (set in 1600's during the Salem witch trials). In it, the character John Proctor must either...
* Lie (admit trafficking with Satan) and he will be allowed to live, though a shamed and broken man
* Tell the truth (deny involvement with the Devil) and he will be hanged, but he will die knowing he stood up for his beliefs

Hypothetical situation:
You're in a situation where you must either lie about your very core beliefs and live (similar conditions to John Proctor), or stand true to yourself and die a martyr.

Escapees, I ask you, what would you do?

 

[DJDarque]

Ah. I remember The Crucible. I played Reverend Hale. I wouldn't consider it martyrdom, but I would rather die knowing I didn't lie to myself.

 

[YeyJordan]

Assuming we mean "dying a martyr" equals literally dying, then I'd rather live the lie lol! I don't believe in an afterlife, and so dying with personal honor is meaningless to me if I can't observe the difference it made.

But taking the term figuratively, I'd stand by the truth.

 

[WolfThomas]

Lie so I can wreak revenge on my enemies as a 17th century version of the Punisher.

 

[Emergent]

Step 1. Live the lie.
Step 2. Right the tell-all book.
Step 3. Profit.

 

[Wintermoot]

Die a Matyr.
I would never lie about my beliefs and rather die then to admit something I don`t belief.

 

[Zantos]

Lie. Lie with a smile.

 

[ten.to.ten]

I'm not going to benefit much from being a virtuous martyr if I'm dead. I'd lie.

 

[Gaiseric]

Lie so I can wreak revenge on my enemies as a 17th century version of the Punisher.

I like how you think sir.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

In the salem case I'd totally lie, who cares what the batshit crazy people think of you, seriously. Anyone who comes up with the idea that you will be hanged for being innocent deserves nothing but derision.

Theres nothing to stop you lying and then carrying on being a good person in secret. You can't do anything good for anyone while your dead. For example people in wartime Germany acting the part of the loyal citizen but helping Jews and POW's. There's a fine line between being honest and being stupid.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I like living so I'd lie. I'd lie through back teeth.

 

[Baron_BJ]

I'd lie through my teeth, and run off to start my life over again in a place where people don't know me.

 

[Joccaren]

I would die for my beliefs. I see no reason to keep living if I'm not living as myself.

 

[SpAc3man]

I would save myself then kill the fuckers. Witch hunters better know.

 

[Fraught]

I'd lie.

Because,
a) like was said by someone else, I don't think there's an afterlife, and thus, after I'm dead, I won't even give a shit about my "dying while holding up my beliefs",
b) I wouldn't be "lying to myself". I wouldn't convince myself of anything incorrect or faulty. I'd just tell them a lie to save my hide. And honestly, seeing as I'd be hanged because of suspicions of dealing with the fucking devil (who doesn't exist, and thus is a bullshit reason to "die with honor" for), and the Salem witch trials, hell, all witch trials have been stupid and retarded, and conducted by delusional douchebags, then I'd just make a pretty face, tell them I "trafficked with the devil", as you put it, and go on living.

If necessary, and if there is any public shunning, ostracizing, mockery about, then I'd just move somewhere else and turn a new leaf. In those shitty 1600s, it'd be the best kind of adventure. Not like there's anything else to do.

I like this moral-dilemma, because I like the concept of moral-dilemmas, period.

As for me, I'd mostly die telling the truth. If I lied, that would mean making even more mistakes that could harm myself and the world around me. However, if I died telling the truth, that means protecting the world from myself and my horrific mistakes.

What are you going on about? Jesus.

You're lying about dealing with the devil. If you were that guy, you would have done nothing with the devil, because the devil doesn't fucking exist. Telling them a "lie", about trafficking with the devil, leaves your conscience clean (at least it would mine), and it won't make you commit "even more mistakes that could harm myself and the world around you".

Seriously, what the fuck? Stop being so pretentious. >: |

And if you think the devil really exists, and that if you tell those nuts a lie about trafficking with him, and then have to suffer the flames of hell for all eternity, then go right ahead, die for it. All the better.

 

[Aedes]

Didn't Galileo lied to the church about his beliefs of the sun being the center of the solar system?

I would totally follow his steps.

 

[Trippy Turtle]

Lie then yell JUST JOKING then use smoke bombs to get away. i would continue to live as a ninja turtle until my name is cleared or everyone is dead.

 

[The_Yeti]

Tell the Truth,
Kick Some Ass,
Rest On My Crom-esque Throne.


"What is best in life? To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to get a bill passed through that provides more money for local education! Crom!
http://ultimateconanfan.blogspot.com/2009/08/arnold-schwarzenegger-still-keeps-his.html
Proof the Governators a sellout, but still a badass sellout.

 

[Denamic]

In the face of certain death, I say fuck principles.
They're useless when you're dead.

 

[beniki]

It comes down to doing the right thing, or the smart thing. People rarely choose the right thing, and even fewer acknowledge the difference.

Me? Lead me to the scaffold. People need to see someone being stupid for the sake of intangible values. And if I'm not willing to do it, why should I expect anyone else to?