WHAT IS SACRIFICE?
It is interesting that in all the definitions or explanations I researched on "sacrifice", both secular and non-secular, in dozens of dictionaries and in several languages and cultures. They all have one common area: “to give up something (including one’s life) for someone having a more pressing need.” There are not too many things we find in life that have universal meaning and translation. Here are a few examples: To give up something that is valuable to you in order to help another person. — Cambridge Dictionary The act of giving up something that you want to keep especially in order to get or do something else or to help someone. — merriam-webster.com The act of giving up or forgoing something valued for the sake of something with a more pressing claim. — collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english The act of giving up something highly valued for the sake of something else considered to have a greater value or claim. — The Free Dictionary by Farlex To give up something important or valuable so that you or other people can do or have something else. — macmillandictionary.com/us Christianity - Jesus said, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34). Here He lays down two elements in the conditions of discipleship, denying oneself and taking up his cross. The former means the renunciation of self as the center of thought, faith, hope, and life. The latter means the life of sacrifice. — biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/isbe/sacrifice-in-the-new-testament Hindu - Sacrifice in Hinduism can also refer to personal surrender (of self) through acts of inner and outer worship. — Subramuniyaswami, p. 849. Islam - On the occasion of Eid ul Adha (Festival of Sacrifice), affluent Muslims all over the world perform the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) by sacrificing a cow or sheep. The meat is then divided into three equal parts. One part is retained by the person who performs the sacrifice. The second is given to his relatives. The third part is distributed to the poor. The image of sacrifice that generally comes to mind is that of First Responders (or others present but not as impacted) coming to the aid of the victims and survivors: during a natural disaster; man-made tragedy; terrorist attack; mass massacre; at a war zone or some form of human devastation. While waiting for the First Responders, there are many ordinary people or passersby who see a greater need for their fellow man and start lifesaving actions. These are people who in an instance will relinquish, abandon, or sacrifice their safety and lives and do not see themselves as the center, only that of saving the lives of those in need. Many may become aware of a greater need of mankind during a troubled time via social media or other medium and will donate blood, money, supplies, volunteer time at the site, or set-up a GoFundMe page or Crowdfunding effort to continue to raise resources for the survivors, their families, and loved ones. Unfortunately, throughout the history of mankind, there have been numerous wars, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, mass shootings, violent crimes, assassinations, homicides, etc. However, we have seen thousands of men, women, and children worldwide sacrifice for their fellow man in ways that we read in textbooks. That’s what real sacrifice is all — about a willingness to lay down one’s life for another. Have you read my article about Political Correctness Warning Signs Needed? Read the full article