Psychology of Martyrdom
by Dr. Fereshteh T. Bethel
Overview
This presentation examines, from a psychological perspective, the content
of letters, wills and testaments, and other documents written by recent
Bahá’í martyrs of Iran (1979 and 1982), in order to explore their beliefs
and responses in relation to severe social stressors such as persecution
and imminent execution. It explores the ways that beliefs help to form
their Bahá’í identity and strengthen their character, thereby influencing
their response to challenges and sacrifice.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was the formulation of a psychological theory
on martyrdom, based upon a content analysis of last available personal
documents of Bahá’í martyrs of Iran written between
1979 and 1982. A content analysis research design and methodology was
employed. Written communications were analyzed in order to test two
general hypotheses and 14 sub-hypotheses and make inferences about the
psychological characteristics of the communicators to assess their beliefs
and responses.
The theory of martyrdom that emerged from the study of these ninety-five
documents affirmed the fact that the Bahá’í martyrs’
beliefs and responses in the face of persecution and imminent execution
were of any atypical nature and unconventionally positive. The beliefs
sustained and transformed their existence in the presence of severe
social stressors. These beliefs, in the light of an inner spiritual
reality, created a tolerance for suffering that went far beyond the
psychological formulations of defenses, reaction formations, compensatory
mechanisms, and adaptation. The martyrs did not respond to suffering
with grievous expressions and psychological disturbances but acknowledged
it with forbearance. Without losing their perceptivity and full attention
of the events, they accepted their fate and continued to manifest affiliative
expressions with the external world. They revealed tolerance and love
within their predicament. They expressed certitude and contentment regarding
their personal choice of sacrifice. They relied on personal faith and
belief in the fulfillment of a noble purpose. Indeed, they became a
“new creation”; at the core of their being, a psycho spiritual
dynamic transformation led them to transcend a painful reality and reach
their ultimate and most cherished purpose in life—namely, finding
true liberty in submission to the Will of God. As the statement of T.S.
Eliot sums it up: “...a martyrdom is never the design of men; for
the true martyr is he who has become the instrument of God, who has
lost his will in the will of God, not lost it but found it, for he has
found freedom in submission to God. The martyr no longer desires anything
for himself, not even the glory of martyrdom.”
Contact Information: Dr. Fereshteh
T. Bethel
E-mail: FTBethel@AOL.COM
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Psychology
of Martyrdom (World Order Article)
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Psychology
of Martyrdom (Notes)
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