I think, realistically, some people are overestimating their own will power.
Are you all telling me, that if someone puts a gun to your head and tells you *give up your faith or die* you would actually let yourself be killed? What about your children (assuming you have them), your friends, your family. These people love you, and, for me, imagining their faces at my funeral seals the survival.
I think it would take someone with some serious balls (or some serious stupidity) to take a bullet in that scenario.
Better yet, what if someone points a gun at your mother. Your best friend. Your child. Where do you draw the line? No words are worth a human life. Lets not forget, no-one can make you TRULY renounce your faith.
I would not consider anyone who gave up their faith in words to be a coward. I would consider them intelligent and realistic. There are people in this world who are, in all probability, dependant on you. Turning your back on them to save face?
That seems the real cowardice.
As for me. Hell yeah. "Im not a Satanist, okay, just put the gun away". Of course, that very night I would be doing the same old thing, with my family and friends (which I would now appreciate a hell of alot more!).