In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in the use of the terms "martyr" and "martyrdom" that deviates considerably from traditional usage in Jewish and Christian contexts. This development can be observed in the media, but also in the language used by politicians and church leaders. Who is a modern martyr? And what means "faith" or "religion"? This paper seeks to describe this linguistic development on the one hand, and on the other hand to identify the political and religious interests behind this usage.