# Is It Worth Dying For? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 6, 2010, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235 "2010-10-06T11:34:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![elninost0rm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ed655f/32.png) [@elninost0rm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elninost0rm)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235/21 "2010-10-06T16:40:29Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > > [@Anaamika](#): > > > > So? Such is your choice. I won’t join the Armed Forces exactly because of this - not any branch. > > > > _However_ one of the very few reasons I could see dying is defending my country. I don’t mean going into another country and attacking, that’s not defense. I mean when the enemy is literally at the gates and we have to fight or die. > > I hope I did not offend you with my reply. I frankly do not understand your ‘so?’ question. This is just the choice I made. I think her point was that you made that choice. It was entirely optional. I think the OP was looking for something different. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235/22 "2010-10-06T16:41:43Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > You guys. After all, I was soldier and that is what we do. Thank you. For myself, certainly my daughers and most definitely my granddaughter. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235/23 "2010-10-06T16:48:10Z")
As a Army Veteran I certainly would not willing die for anything. Putting myself in harm’s way but hoping to get out of it. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235/24 "2010-10-06T17:28:55Z")
I’d never willingly die for anyone. But that is different than what I’d risk my life for. So, while I’d not take the place of a hostage, I’d certainly attempt to take down the hostage taker. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235/25 "2010-10-06T17:59:07Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > There is almost nothing I would die for. I’ve said this ever since I read it somewhere - you only have one life but you can pick up fifty causes on any street corner. > > People? Probably only my SO. A great man once said “If you don’t live for something, you’ll die for nothing”. Just sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![Dcypher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@Dcypher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dcypher)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235/26 "2010-10-06T18:09:44Z")
I am willing to die for my beliefs, but I would never be willing to kill for them. Seriously, I have blundered into several bad situations over the years and frankly, the decision was not one I contemplated…I simply acted and became rubbery only after I realized how close I had come. Even small guns look amazingly huge when encountered in the wild. I have had the luck of the foolish. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235/27 "2010-10-06T20:14:55Z")
> [@Dcypher](#): > > I am willing to die for my beliefs, but I would never be willing to kill for them.. I am willing to argue, yell shake a fist, and act indignant over an idea,. But to kill for it? No. If I were willing, that means someone else has the same right to try and kill me for his idea or belief. Besides, if the belief can’t stand on its own merits, to hell with it. To die for it? No. Patton said something that sort of covers it, with his “nobody ever won a war by dying for his country…” speech in the movie. It’s the same basic concept. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235/28 "2010-10-06T20:32:06Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > You never really know how you react till the time comes. I was young but I always believed in the right to die with dignity and for people to “pull the plug.” > > Then my mum had a heart attack and was on life support. She died anyway, but I can tell you there was no way in hell I’d ever have let anyone pull that plug. > > And that feeling TOTALLY shocked me. If you had asked me 24 hours before I would’ve sworn up and down that I wouldn’t keep someone on life support who had no chance, but then when it happened to my mum, I did a 180 > > One thing I’ve learned in my 46 years is “it’s suprising what you can do when you have to.” From your example, it seems what you should have learned is “it’s surprising what you _can’t_ do when you have to.” ---
**Author:** ![Leaking\_Boot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e68b1a/32.png) [@Leaking\_Boot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaking_Boot)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235/29 "2010-10-06T21:20:02Z")
This is ‘what would you die for?’ \*not \*‘what would you kill for?’ I think the most honest answer came from Gustav: > [@Gustav](#): > > I’d sacrifice my entire family tree without a second’s hesitation, if it was my only option to save myself. I’d wipe out every living being on the planet. Not saying I agree, but it strikes a chord, n’est-ce pas? I guess the heart of the question is, ‘could you give your life for another?’ Anyone, just because they are human, and you have the chance to save a life. Gustav, you are a selfish, honest beast. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235/30 "2010-10-06T21:43:42Z")
There’s nothing that I’d die for. But I’d _risk_ dying for immediate family and close friends. As to the actual amount of risk I’d be willing to endure, well, I’m not sure atm. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235/31 "2010-10-06T23:11:52Z")
> [@Leaking\_Boot](#): > > I think the most honest answer came from Gustav: > > > [@Gustav](#): > > > > I’d sacrifice my entire family tree without a second’s hesitation, if it was my only option to save myself. I’d wipe out every living being on the planet. > > Not saying I agree, but it strikes a chord, n’est-ce pas? I guess the heart of the question is, ‘could you give your life for another?’ > Anyone, just because they are human, and you have the chance to save a life. > > Gustav, you are a selfish, honest beast. I dunno about the whole family tree thing, but trading your life for a single other person is zero-sum. You haven’t saved a life; you’ve _traded_ a life. Now if you saved two or more people that’d be different, but the way you’re saying it all you’re doing is devaluing the self. Myself, I’d only risk my life for something if I decided I would rather die than see the bad thing happen. Of course, odds are I wouldn’t have a heck of a long time to think about it, and I’d probably freeze, and by the time I got moving it would be too late. So maybe there’s nothing I’d actually get around to dying for. Hard to tell; really: I won’t know until it happens and I’m dead. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235/32 "2010-10-06T23:28:52Z")
This thread is a solicitation for opinions. As such, I am moving it to the **In My Humble Opinion** forum. If anyone wishes to challenge another opinion in a debate, open a new, separate thread on that specific topic in **Great Debates** rather than cluttering up this thread. [/Modding] ---
**Author:** ![Mince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Mince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mince)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2010, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235/33 "2010-10-06T23:31:25Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > > [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > > > You guys. After all, I was soldier and that is what we do. > > So? Such is your choice. I won’t join the Armed Forces exactly because of this - not any branch. That’s fine; such is _your_ choice. We’ll defend your life and liberty\* for you, since you choose not to. Just don’t complain that you also have to pay for it via taxes. \*I don’t want to hear about Iraq; there is more to the military and national defense beyond Iraq. ---
**Author:** ![Gil-Martin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Gil-Martin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gil-Martin)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2010, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235/34 "2010-10-07T00:00:49Z")
I’ve put myself in considerable danger for others once upon a time. Nowadays I would willingly sacrifice myself for certain loved ones . . . my kids certainly. If I didn’t have kids, I suppose I might die for some abstract -ism or other. Or I might not. I really don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2010, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235/35 "2010-10-07T00:14:47Z")
> [@Gustav](#): > > I’d sacrifice my entire family tree without a second’s hesitation, if it was my only option to save myself. I’d wipe out every living being on the planet. At last, an honest person. It’s difficult to answer the question, as unless one has been in that predicament, it’s impossible to predict what one will do. Would I risk my personal well-being for another? Quite possibly. Would I risk my life? Doubtful. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2010, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235/36 "2010-10-07T01:55:09Z")
I’m not sure what beliefs I’d die for, to be honest. But I would sacrifice myself for my sisters and my husband. I wouldn’t want to live in a world without them in it anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2010, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235/37 "2010-10-07T02:11:15Z")
For you. I’d even cry for you. I’d lie for you. Baby, you know it’s true. ---
**Author:** ![statsman1982](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@statsman1982](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/statsman1982)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2010, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235/38 "2010-10-07T02:25:55Z")
> [@Gustav](#): > > I’d sacrifice my entire family tree without a second’s hesitation, if it was my only option to save myself. I’d wipe out every living being on the planet. Well, once you’ve killed everyone on the planet, I hope you never need a new pair of glasses. As for me, I can think of a special someone I’d die to protect. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2010, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235/39 "2010-10-07T02:58:37Z")
I think it was Martin Luther King Jr. who said, “You have not begun to live until you have found something that you would die for.” I used to have it. My Jehovah’s Witness faith. Yes, I would’ve said no to a blood transfusion. No question in my mind. Not then. Now? Nope. I might, in a moment of sudden stress risk my life for my mother, perhaps. But nobody else. That there is nothing that I would die for is really depressing to me. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2010, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235/40 "2010-10-07T03:18:52Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > That there is nothing that I would die for is really depressing to me. There are so many things wrong with that sentence, I don’t even know where to begin to rebut it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-dying-for/556235.md?page=3)