I can see religion providing courage for the average religious person who believes in a higher power. He would believe that the higher power will provide him with the strength to do what needed to be done. Belief in the added strength would provide the courage.

On the other hand a religious zealot who believes that god determines the outcome of everything and rewards the righteous instantly and without fail, would have no more need of courage than a man walking through a fire in a fire proof suit.

A man races into a burning house to save a child. No one says that he wasn’t brave because he was trying to save a child. He ran into the house. That’s enough.

Anyone who dropped on a grenade when there was no one around, or ran into a known to be empty burning house would be regarded as foolish. There is always motivation.

The person themselves may well say, “I had to do it, there was no bravery, I was frightened.” The observer will still insist it was courageous.

The question becomes does religion provide courage or eliminate the need for courage.

THAT is a very thought provoking question Frank.

I haven’t seen anyone getting valor medals for flying drones, regardless of the circumstances and who was killed.

The drone fliers are following orders and what they are doing, in general, falls somewhat short of atrocity. At worst it might be compared to firing artillery or any other fire power that might have unintended consequences.

I wouldn’t argue the point of whether or not the attacker is a coward or courageous. Cowardice is off the menu since a coward would not be up to it, religious or not. As Rob said there is no courage without consequence so a religious person might not require courage. The question becomes does religion provide courage or eliminate the need for courage.

As for me I pick a side and I stand for that side until it becomes impossible to do so any longer. I suppose nearly everyone does that.

Frankly, it’s hard to respect any of them that would allow what we’ve done. I wouldn’t tolerate them doing it over here. And we’ve done far more damage than any of them have done over here. Remember, the WTC terrorists were Saudis.

And how brave is it to sit in Florida flying a drone and firing rockets into people who are in their country not posing a threat to anyone but a foreign occupying military power? We’re talking comparative bravery, not how smart it is. (I’d for certain rather fly the drone.)

Giving your life, or putting it at risk for the good of others.

There is a clear altruistic component that’s missing here.

The murder of the two officers was an act of punishment, not one of protection.

The willingness to sacrifice your own life because your religion removes the fear of dying is not bravery.