Martyrdom in Paxism

Martyrdom in Paxism (Packilvanian: luTashiyashalvishme) is the act of sacrificing one's life for Paxism. This entails committing an exemplary act under the threat or risk of death which results in death. The Magisterium lists recognised martyrs upon recognition by the Supreme Magister. Although martyrdom is listed as one of and among the highest of the paths of Assimilation and the greatest of acts of righteousness in the Writings of Paxism, the nature, form and intention which underpin it are hotly contested in Paxist circles. Venerated Martyrs can be buried in a Majhid and have a dedicated commemorative feast.

Veneration

Temple of the Veneration (Packilvanian: luMajhid aluWaloofiya) holds the list of all recognised martyrs and houses the Monument of the Unknown Martyrs which celebrates martyrs not known to the Magisterium, but whose works would otherwise be recognisable by it

The Magisterium of Paxism has an official list of martyrs known as the Roster of the Most Noble Martyrs of the Faith (Packilvanian: luTaqabad ameTashiyashalvatan meNabeel meBas). The Supreme Magister alone has the authority to venerate a Martyr. He often accords this veneration from the recommendations of the Council of Great Magisters. Veneration affords the individual a posthumous title. The individual may be buried in a Majhid (Paxist house of worship) and an official of the rank of High Magister and higher may declare a Commemorative Feast in honour and memory of the martyr.

Criteria

Criteria to be a Martyr vary by sect but the Magisterium of Paxism's Council of Great Magisters passed the Veneration of the Martyrs Bull (Packilvanian: luBuleem aluWaloofiya ameTashiyashalvatan) in 1934 in which the criteria for inclusion were outlined. The criteria drew from the opinion by Supreme Magister Rulwaad II in 1986 entitled the Recognition of the Sacrifice of the Martyrs (Packilvanian: luNazrafiya aluTashiya ameTashiyashalvatan). It stipulates that:

“	The person must have given of their own life in sound and sober mind and pure intention for the sake of advancing the cause of the One Faith	„

The criteria goes on to describe that the person must have been aware of what they are doing. They must have dedicated their cause to the benefit of the Faith and the believers, this can be through a formal oral declaration or a written document, or who was known to have been a faithful believer and whose intention can be reasonably construed from the context. The person must not have been doing the act for their own glory, but for humble service. Furthermore, the person must not have been attempting to spread arbitrary violence. The act acknowledges that death is not always the intention of the martyr but a consequence of their resistance to "evil" and thus accounts for such cases. They must have actually died as a direct result of performing an Exemplary act of faith (Refer to section below for more details).

Cause of the One Faith

The Cause of the One Faith (Packilvanian: luMuhima aluSlamiya luIkhtimiy) refers to the interest and mission and purpose of belief in Paxism. It is a collection of missions and purposes that are suitable for recognition of excellent faith and for recognition of martyrdom. These are also called Exemplary or Venerable Deeds. They must have been done under the threat of death or despite the risk of death and having resulted in actual death. These are expressed in the following actions:

• Protection of the life of another
• Preaching of the true and one message of the Faith
• Refusal to commit apostasy, idolatry or other grievous sin under the duress of another.
• Protection of a religious relic, artefact or place from hostile
• Advancing by advocacy the rights of the faithful or the safety of its holy relics
• Showing mercy to another, even if undeserving
• Performing an act of worship or praise to the Most High
• Contrition for committing or on behalf of those who commit grievous sons against the Most Beneficent and Sapientkind

Controversies

There are disagreements among Paxists about what constitutes a valid Exemplary Act for which martyrdom is permissible. Some schools teach that someone who dies in armed combat for whom the mission of the war or battle is a cause of the One faith. Other scholars believe that death by the detonation of an explosive device or in an incindiary act for the sake of destroying a heathen government or heathens and heretics who are harming believers or threatening the religion is a just cause for recognition. Others consider these acts as expansionism and terrorism and consider them unworthy of veneration. For the most part, the Magisterium has been reluctant to recognise martyrs who are associated with the aforementioned acts.