Chapter 35
Identities to die (and kill) for
For
both personal and evolutionary reasons, wouldn’t you think that the desire to survive,
to extend our physical lives, would be a paramount drive for humans? Perhaps,
instead, you believe with me that our primary instinct is the preservation of
our identities. So, yes, if we identify with our physical bodies above all else,
then we will fight with every fiber of our being to survive. But we have so
many more identities than that. Let’s consider identities that have
historically led individuals to either sacrifice their own lives or take the
lives of others.
Religious Identity
Religion
has historically been one of the most powerful identities for which people have
killed or died. During the Crusades (11th–13th centuries), European Christians
and Muslim armies fought over control of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, often
framed as a divine mission. Similarly, during the Thirty Years’ War
(1618–1648), Catholic and Protestant powers devastated Central Europe in a
struggle over faith and political control. In modern times, religious identity
continues to inspire violence and sacrifice, from sectarian conflict in
Northern Ireland to jihadist movements in the Middle East. For believers,
religion often defines ultimate meaning, moral authority, and eternal destiny.
National and Ethnic Identity
Nationalism
is another identity people often sacrifice for. The American Revolution
(1775–1783) exemplified the willingness to die for national independence, as
colonists resisted British imperial rule in the name of self-determination. In
the World Wars, millions gave their lives to defend their nations or to liberate
occupied peoples. Ethnic identity has been equally powerful, though often
tragic. The Holocaust saw millions of Jews and other minorities targeted for
extermination based on ethnic identity. Today, ethnic and national identities
drive conflicts such as the Russia–Ukraine war, where Ukrainians fight not only
for territory but for the preservation of their national identity and
independence.
Ideological Identity
People
also die for ideologies - political, economic, or social visions of how the
world should be. The French Revolution (1789–1799) unleashed waves of violence
as revolutionaries and royalists clashed over competing visions of freedom,
equality, and monarchy. In the 20th century, communists and fascists fought
battles across Europe, culminating in World War II, where Nazi ideology and
Allied democratic ideals confronted each other. During the Cold War
(1947–1991), proxy wars in Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan left millions dead in struggles framed as communism versus capitalism. Today, ideological
struggles can be seen in global debates over democracy versus authoritarianism,
where activists in places like Hong Kong or Iran risk imprisonment or death to
defend their ideals.
Honor and Personal Identity
Not
all deadly identities are collective. On a personal level, people have
historically fought duels to preserve honor, as seen in 17th–19th century
Europe and America, where insults to reputation were settled with pistols or
swords. In some cultures, family honor can demand vengeance or sacrifice, as in
Mediterranean or South Asian traditions where “honor killings” tragically
persist. Even in modern contexts, soldiers or civilians may risk their lives to
uphold a personal identity tied to loyalty, courage, or dignity, as when
whistleblowers or activists knowingly face lethal consequences for defending
their convictions.
The Ambiguity of Sacrifice
Killing
or dying for identity is not inherently noble or destructive - it depends on the
context. Resistance fighters in Nazi-occupied Europe gave their lives for
freedom and human dignity, while extremist groups like ISIS use religious
identity to justify atrocities. The same impulse that drives oppressed groups
to defend their survival can also fuel fanaticism, terrorism, and cycles of
revenge. The line between defending identity and weaponizing it is thin,
reminding us of identity’s double-edged power.
To sum it all up…
Identities people kill or die for reveal both the best and worst of humanity. They showcase loyalty, courage, and solidarity, but also prejudice, intolerance, and violence. In a world where identities remain central to belonging, the challenge is to cultivate forms of identity that inspire cooperation rather than conflict - identities expansive enough to affirm our shared humanity, not just our divisions.