Originally Posted by $5 submissions

Dying for something greater than one's self has always been historically deemed as dignified. The truth is that most of humanity is selfish/self-absorbed/possessing an almost animal-like slavery to self clothed with thin disguises of civility and self-serving morality. That's why TWO common denominators of religion are the concepts of compassion and loving/kindness and salvation is often positioned as the liberation from the slavery of self.

From a more secular perspective, philanthropists and others who displayed some level of altruism are admired and ascribed varying degrees of dignity.

Where there's heat, there is probably fire...