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I was not speaking so much about the willingness to self sacrifice. That you do find everywhere seemingly in equal measure, but here I'm talking about people's ability to understand sacrifice looking from the outside in.I dont think the theological angle fundamentally makes much difference.
At first glance it does seem that those who have the strong belief or to them knowledge of reincarnation, seem more willing to make these acts of self sacrifice.
However, many people have also been willing to sacrifice their lives or put themselves at immense risk coming from a Judeo-Chistian background. If they believe the act is fundamentally good and justified (as I believe he felt the case is here with his intent) then they believe in a reward when resurrected eternally hereafter.
Even those who profess no particular faith are influenced usually by some version of Platonism which is implicit throughout much of Western society, so they are sacrificing themselves for an 'eternal principle'.
This can equally apply to atheists, for even if one does not believe in any form of continuity after death, if one feels ones current life is of no worth or is in support of harm or evil and against ones values, the thought of not being here may arise and in this case ending it while making a stand for principles one believes in.
The only ones who wouldn't even consider such an act are what is common nowadays, the hardcore self centred hedonist materialists who see no worth in life other than what benefits them and the temporary pleasures they can accumulate.
Theologically it's going to be harder to justify and harder for the average person to work his or her mind around if they're coming from the Judeo Christian tradition.
The self as a creation of God that is good, a gift and eternal is a very different thing to justify killing in the name of a cause than a self that is illusory and transitory and can come back again and again.
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