The Blasphemy Challenge - A Red Herring

Today I was browsing YouTube (I’ve forgotten why) and I came across something rather startling. As a believer, any time you read the word ‘blasphemy’ it’s going to get your attention, and rightly so!

What I came across was a video challenging people to video themselves denouncing any fear or desire they have for God by saying something like,

“I don’t believe in Jesus, God the Father or the Holy Spirit, and I have no fear of going to hell.”

The challenge comes from a group of atheists going by the name, The Rational Response Squad. Their recent challenge has received a lot of attention in America due to various members being interviewed by television and radio programmes, and sad to say, the response on YouTube has been more than what one would desire.

Rather than go through everything, here are a few select videos. I’ll start with the initial ‘blasphemy challenge’ video that has caused all the hype -

Knowing that most of my blog audience are Christian, I am sure you will agree that the above is somewhat disturbing. What is more upsetting is their targeting of children.

Below is a clip from an interview by Fox News. By the reaction of the news journalist, he would appear to be Christian. He shows a little frustration and anger in his questioning of the representative of the atheist group, and I’m not sure if that was a good thing or not. Having said that, if ever there was righteous anger to be permitted then this may be the time.

The journalist brings up a good point, “Why are you attacking Christians?” However, all the members of this group keep emphasizing that it’s not against Christianity, rather it’s against all religions.

Is that the case? Check out this third and final video from ABC News -

 There are seven things to note (mainly) from this video:

1) When asked, “What’s wrong with God” Brian (the atheist) says,

“there’s nothing wrong with something that most likely doesn’t exist.”

Coming across so ’sure’ elsewhere, he’s now staking his eternity on a “most likely”.

2) Kelly says that “…it’s ok to hate atheists”

Where in the Bible does it say it’s ok to hate atheists? The Bible is clear that Christians are even to love their enemies! Therefore, she should be encouraging so-called Christians to live in more obedience to the word of God.

3) (Taken from the first video) The challenge rewards those who take it up by posting them a free DVD,

“Normally $24.95 - Your price: One Soul”

How can you gamble with your soul if your an atheist - can a soul evolve?

Souls only exist because they were created by God.

4) Brian testifies of when he was younger,

“…I talked to Jesus and God all the time. I have to admit they never talked back to me…” 

Since when was talking the only form of communication?

5) When asked how long the challenge will go on, Brian replies,

“Until the end of Christianity“

So much for saying that they are against all religions.

6) When the reporter asks, “Do you have a date on that?” Kelly replies,

“We wish!”

Yeah…lets get rid of something that not merely gives a sinner hope, but also teaches people to look away from themselves and be sacrificial towards the needs of others - that’s really something society doesn’t need.

7) Brian then says,

“there is no reason to believe in hell”

Since when did man think that we always need a reason in order to accept a truth? Atheists don’t know the reason why life came to be, but that doesn’t stop the truth that there is life and their acceptance of it! There are hundreds of things that man doesn’t have an answer to, but we don’t deny the truth of their existence.

Conclusion

I just want to conclude by giving the reason why the ‘Blasphemy Challenge’ is a red herring.

Brian and co. use Mark 3:29 as the basis for the challenge,

“But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation”

They use it to try and teach that if someone outwardly renounces their belief in the Holy Spirit, or even the Trinity as a whole, that they immediately place themselves out of the reach of the grace and mercy of God.

If that were the case, this sinner wouldn’t be typing this right now.

The fact of the matter is, the unpardonable sin is the deliberate denial and refusal of a sinner to come to Christ when the Spirit of God is working on them to a degree. The Bible teaches that a measure of light can be granted to a soul before the saving work of regeneration takes place (Heb 6:4-6).

If a sinner senses their deep need of Christ and feels what we term as ‘conviction of sin’ upon them, and then they tell God to go away and leave them, or for the Spirit to stop working, or any other deliberate rejection of the workings of God upon the soul, then that soul “is in danger of eternal damnation.”

The bad news is, some of those who have fallen into this red herring challenge, have possibly committed this sin.

The good news is, most have probably not, and it would be wonderful to see those who have posted up their videos, being converted by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Going on the basis of my fifth point after the third video, I conclude that The Rational Response Squad are just like Richard Dawkins. The driving force behind their brash statements and passion to reach people isn’t motivated by a love for truth, but rather, a hatred for Christianity!

May God stir us as believers to live holy and preach Christ.

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