We didn't choose martyrdom. In the early days of Christians, Christians were persecuted because of their beliefs. Since they wouldn't give up their beliefs, they were killed. That is when martrying started. All over the world- not hardly in America, Christians are being killed because of their beliefs.
In Christianity, there are some famous martyrs, some examples are: Jesus, John the Baptist, Saint Valentine, who was put to death by the Romans for secretly wedding Christians back when Christians were being condemned by the Roman Empire.
Assuming you are are referring to Christians who have been killed because they are Christian, these are known as Martyrs.
Literally hundreds of Christians in Jos, Nigeria are being killed for their faith, as recently as this past March, 2010.
Ursula was a martyr and early Christians considered all martyrs to be saints.
Stephen was the first martyr. People saw these lives of these early christians and became christians.
The Book of Martyrs, also known as Foxe's Book of Martyrs, was written by John Foxe, an English historian and martyrologist. It details the persecution of early Christians and Protestants during the 16th century in England.
A martyr is someone who dies for a cause, imprisonment does not make somebody a martyr.
By killing a lot of Christians. For example Ceasar Nero blamed the burning of Rome on Christians and killed many of them as martyrs.
St. Vitus was martyred for his faith and early Christians considered all martyrs to be saints.
Inquisition
The Martyrs Mirror was reprinted so that young Christians could read how others had given their life for Jesus Christ. They could also study about nonresistance, then they would know why they could not fight in a war.
Clement Cotton has written: 'The Christians concordance' -- subject(s): Bible, Concordances, Concordances, English, Early works to 1800, English Concordances 'A large concordance to the Bible of the last translation allowed by authoritie' -- subject(s): Bible, Concordances, English, English Concordances 'The mirrour of martyrs' -- subject(s): Martyrs 'The mirror of martyrs' -- subject(s): Persecution, Martyrs, Christian martyrs, Church history