An uncomfortable ethics question.

[A Theist]

I think, that in all reality, if placed in that situation, they wouldn't die for a stranger any more than I would.

That argument is a logical fallacy called tu quoque and irrelevant..The question is what YOU would do..

I accused you of cherrypicking because you describe yourself as a Pentacostal Christian. My mistake, I made an unwarranted assumption.

I agree that few people will sacrifice themselves for strangers if it's premeditated. However,in extremis it's common. I think that may be because deep down people don't think they will really die. I also think that for emergency workers of all kinds, training just kicks in. I'm going by personal experience as an army medic.(Not combat,just spent a LOT of time in jungle as platoon and sometimes company medic)

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Tu quoque (pronounced /tjuːˈkwoʊkwɛ/ [1]), or the appeal to hypocrisy, is a kind of logical fallacy. It is a Latin term for "you, too" or "you, also". A tu quoque argument attempts to discredit the opponent's position by asserting his failure to act consistently in accordance with that position; it attempts to show that a criticism or objection applies equally to the person making it. It is considered an ad hominem argument, since it focuses on the party itself, rather than its positions.[2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tu_quoque

That argument is a logical fallacy called tu quoque and irrelevant..

I wasn't trying to form an argument, or discredit yours. Mine was simply a statement of cynicism.
..."The ad hominem is not always fallacious, for in some instances questions of personal conduct, character, motives, etc., are legitimate and relevant to the issue.[3]"...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_hominem

However,in extremis it's common.

In the extreme, I agree.

I think that may be because deep down people don't think they will really die.

Good point.
Let's say, if those same people gave consideration to their own mortality, just before their act of bravado, do you think that most would still be as eager to die for 10 strangers? I know I wouldn't, and in my cynical worldview of the human population, I don't believe that most would either.