Thomas More First of All,

Thomas More

First of all, one need point out that the perspective from which Thomas More is viewed is also an essential element in determining whether he is a martyr or a man of conviction. A Catholic will always tend to believe that Thomas More was a true martyr rather than a secular authority. However, one also needs to judge in absolute terms and differentiate, first of all, between what a man of conviction and a martyr are.

The terms are very similar from the point-of-view of the individual staking something, often his life or freedom (the martyr) in defense of a certain cause, idea or ideal (both). In fact, the common ground between the two terms is exactly the fact that both are willing to stake so much in order to defend their beliefs. Nevertheless, there are also important differences. The most interesting one is the fact that the martyr's approach is solely in defense of an idea, without an attempt to change the belief of others or to implement his approach among the society. The fact that he is ready to go to all length in defense of a certain idea does not mean that he will try, at the same time, to convert individuals into sharing his belief.

On the other hand, a man of conviction reports himself both to his own person and to that of the others. It is not only the defense of his credo and belief, but also the implementation of these beliefs among others and convincing them that his or her ideas are fundamentally true. This goes much further from the martyr sole belief in the idea as it is and much closer to getting adepts and proselytes to the idea that the man of conviction presents.

Following the discussion here presented, one could thus support and argue the idea according to which Thomas More is, indeed, a martyr. His approach is that of refusing to recognize Henry VIII's new religion and of arguing that he will not accept the king's divorce from Catherine of Aragon, given his Roman Catholic perceptions and beliefs. However, he is not notably trying to influence anybody else into taking a similar stance on the issue. He is simply arguing his own position and, at the same time, is willing to accept any punishment that may come his way because of his perceptions.

On the other hand, his refusal to sign the Act of Succession or the Act of Supremacy can also be seen as an act of political martyrdom, especially since Thomas More was aware of the dangers that would have potentially awaited him following this alternative. The ability to go beyond any obstacle simply to uphold the values in which he believed in also made him a martyr.