the blashpemey challenge
 

http://www.youtube.com/video_respons...?v=i7QVbJnSPQE
Howdy all, I am not sure if this post belongs here, but im sure it can be moved.
This is a link to a youtube video about the blaphemy challenge. Thoughts on this issue would be appreciated. Pros and Cons. Please be civil. If you do not belive in GOD that is ok, it is your right, but please do not flame others who do. Since you have the right to not believe,they have the right to believe. Thanks

I think that the intent of this thing is obviously to attack Christianity and mock the idea of the Christian God. I think that the people who started it are trying to provoke a response. Otherwise they would have called it something like "The Atheist Community" instead of deliberately labelling it as blasphemy. As long as they don't threaten anybody or advocate violence, I don't see any reason to worry about it though :)

I didn't saw any of the videos, i just went straight to http://www.blasphemychallenge.com to see what is this all about, in a few words, this guys are giving away a free copy of the "the God that wasn't there" DVD to anyone that uploads a video to youtube in which one denies the existence of the Holy Spirit and give one's soul away.
I won't go into the whole God exists doesn't exist shit once again, as for the same nature of the "GOD SYSTEM" any effort to try to show or refute it's existence is totally and completely futile. What really catches my attention about this, is that in a way, Atheism is beginning to sound and look like any other religion or sect and their principal advocates as Pat Robertson's clones, I mean, is simple respect I think. Many of you know that i love South Park, and this situation can't but remind me of an episode where Cartman freezes himself in order to ease the wait for the Wii's launch and he ends up waking up thousands of years into the future and everybody is an atheist, thing is that they are in war against each other because, even though they are all atheists, each group believe that they own the truth to atheism. Thing is that is not GOD the problem, or whether you are right or wrong believing in its existence, but in respecting others ideas and opinions.

Im sure they are making people like Richard Dawkins very proud.

I repsect a person's right to be an atheist even though I dont agree with it....whatever floats their boat.

I repsect a person's right to be an atheist even though I dont agree with it....whatever floats their boat.
I agree, I think that they have the right to beileve whatever they want to believe, just thought it interesting that something like this caught on all of a sudden. If so many people have fealt this way, why did they just now decide to do something like thid.

this is no different from the millions of christians who do the same thing. in fact, every time some politician says, god bless america, it is an affirmation in the existence of god.

this is just a silly attempt to counter the prevalence of god in our pop culture. given the rise in discussions about atheism is shouldn't be a surprise that something like you tube would reflect this (much in the way this board reflects what is going on in the larger culture).

Yes Indeed, Dawkins would be quite proud, he probably sponsered this mess. People will do anything for a free DVD, I'm not surprised, just disgusted.

I shall always be convinced that a watch proves a watchmaker, and that a universe proves a God. - Voltaire

Not really sure that I understand all of that, im trying to understand and have re-read it several times, but still no clue. Sorry, but you would mind re explaining?

I think alot of this stems from the fact that atheists are the least trusted of all American people. I live in the "bible belt" and I see a very indignant and hypocritical attitude from the majority of "christians" around here. If I happen to mention that I don't believe in God when someone is touting how people are sinners and God will send them to hell, it's almost as though they've been punched in the face. I really don't care how a person believes yet it always seems like people care about what I believe.

Christians are no better than an atheist. To say that only atheists act like this is purely ignorant. There will always be radicals on any front of any belief. It's classic. Jesus was considered a radical in his time, so to see it now shouldn't really come as a big surprise to anyone.

The fact is, believe what you want but don't get all pissy when my views don't match yours. Do what is right for you and leave me be.

I also agree with Charlatan, anytime a politician touts the phrase, "god bless America", it simply forces a view that I do not agree with and I would guess the only reason they say the phrase is to win the vote of the majority vote.. which is religious. I'm not attacking anyone who believes in christianianity, I'm just merely pointing out that perhaps people who claim to love everyone should actually look at themselves before they start examining <b>MY</b> beliefs. Save yourself instead of me. kthanx.

I said this earlier in the shoutbox (hi, woohog :)), but I see nothing more objectionable in this than in Christians going to Africa and China and South America and converting native peoples from their own spiritual traditions to Christianity. Suck it up, I say. Big deal. It pales in comparison.

I admit I rather live under a rock, but what's the deal with all this atheist shit going on? He's an atheist, she's an atheist, Christians arguing with atheists, atheists arguing with Christians (and other believers)...I don't know, it just seems to have some prominence in the last month or so. Is it just me? Is this the flavor of the period? Winter blues and everyone pontificates or something? I'm just having a hard time getting worked about this junk. Regardless, back to the regular programming.

"Hey, look at me, i don't think that there is a god, and not only that, but i'm going to draw attention to the fact that i don't think that there is a god in ways that could be considered moderately clever if they weren't purely exercises in snarky self indulgence. Everyone, come here. Look at how irreverently lacking in theistic belief i am when i do these things to draw attention to how very little i believe in dieties."

Ok thanks for the replies. I wasn't trying to start a theological debate, just wanted opinions. Hope this doesn't take that route. Thanks and lets keep this up, should prove to be interesting.

Now thats Hilarious!!!:) :) :) And Oh So True!!!:eek:

While I did find this funny, one can subsititute a few words and you have a large majority of christians. Perhaps this can apply to most people and how they become so militaristic when it comes to their beliefs.

I agree that this could apply to any group of people. I disagree that it could apply to a majority of any group of people; i think that most people are secure enough in their beliefs to not need to proselytize. They're still annoying when they do, regardless of what they're selling.

Well certainly for the past 6 years we've had christianity rammed down our collective throat. 10 commandment monuments at courthouses, parks, and other publicly-owned places, arch conservatives running around saying we need to get god back in government, "creation scientists" trying to say that faith is the same thing as science, the teaching of evolution attacked and in some cases banned, Dishonestly using false interpretation of scientific terminology to try and de-emphasize knowledge (it's only a THEORY, and therfore it's probably wrong!). . . All of it leads to an imbalance. Most athiests that I know of are perfectly happy to let religious people have their religion. But they get annoyed when those people try to force their religion on them, and their children, especially through the public education system. Quite frankly if evolution were attacked or banned in my kid's school I would be leading the charge against the "christian" (I use the term in quotes because a true Christian would follow the golden rule and therefore not try to infringe upon the rights of others) idiots who are trying to ban science.

The religious right has had their fun. They've tipped the scales dramatically in their direction, and now the people on the other end of the fulcrum are annoyed and are looking to tip it back. It's hardly surprising.

Situations like this will resolve themselves if people would just, for once, learn to live their own damn lives and leave the rest of the world alone.

This I tend to agree with. After all, how many people discussing this here wouldn't have heard about this "challenge" or wouldn't have given it a second glance if someone hadn't come here as a Christian saying how much it bothered them?

Me for one.

shit, there are a ton of things i would never know about if someone didn't email me or post it it or maybe (gasp!) have a real voice to voice, mano y mano conversation about it. shakran's post above and a few others have made me start thinking about this latest atheist trend a bit. five, six years ago 'lil ole pigglet was an atheist, would have little atheist conversations, and they would sort of go like most atheist/theist conversations...."leap of faith," end of story. it seems these same conversations are piling up these days. i can't figure out if i'm just older, so for some younger kids this is their first time through the "what if there is no god?" thing, or if its a backlash to the strident direction our country has seemingly taken in the past 5 years. interesting nonetheless.

Perhaps the kids are finally saying what they really feel instead of hiding in the shadows and just agreeing with what their parents have taught them or what the government says is right? I for one am glad that it has come to the forefront and even though I don't care how a person believes, I think it should be equal opportunity. Atheists don't get the same respect as someone who says they believe in god or even felons.

Shakran.. fucking spot on.

Well that wasn't quite my point. I have no problem with telling people about events and issues. After all, that IS kinda my job ;) I have a problem with the people who are making a legal issue out of what is and should be a personal life choice. Don't like gay relationships? Fine, don't have one. Leave those that do like them alone. Think you can only get into heaven by praying to whatever god you believe in? That's cool too. Hell I don't even care if you tell me about it. But keep your damn hands off of the legislative system. Don't even THINK about trying to pass laws requiring me to ascribe to your personal beliefs. Your personal beliefs are just that - personal - unless and until they start infringing on the rights of others. That's why murder is and should be illegal, while atheism is not and should not be. (that last sentence was added to ward off the inevitable "well if I believe murder is good I should be able to do it" argument).

I have no problem with making a video glorifying a god, or glorifying the concept that there is no god. I have a problem with religious people trying to force their beliefs on me through the legal system. Even the ultimate jackass athiest Richard Dawkins has publicly admitted that pressing to make religion illegal was stupid. The door swings both ways. Requiring religion or requiring people practice tenets of religion is equally stupid.

I think it's a little of both. I used to tell my girls, way back in the religious upsweep of the early 2000's, lol, that a most of these people who are "finding" or "re-experiencing" all this religious fervor will find it fading away in a few years because it is a trend. Much like any other trend. Those who are firm believers will spend years fighting it and denying it but their heyday is over, in my opinion. I think we will see a steady decline back to a more balanced and secular-minded society. I don't think atheism has enough pull to tip the scale in the other direction. Although it becoming slightly more prominent would be natural, I think.

Ah, I thought we talking about the blasphemy challenge. Silly me. ;)

What I was trying to say has been expanded upon nicely by just about everyone. Thanks.

I think Mixedmedia makes a good point about missionaries in Africa, etc. And yes, those who offended by the content of these posts should takes a moment to reflect on what their own beliefs are.

That said, I agree with Filtherton's sentiment. Youthful ranting such as we are seeing in these You Tube posts are grating but in the end, that's what a zeitgeist is all about. Get on board!

I'd just like to iterate, for the record, that I have nothing against sharing information that would otherwise not be seen or else given much attention. I am sure that YouTube is chock full of videos that offend something that I care deeply about. But I would never think to post a link to it here and decry it. It just irks me a little. Today. Because I'm just feeling a little irkable.

No offense to you, woohog.

I'm a little confused. woohog just posted the video and asked for what we thought of it without actually saying anything good or bad about it. Then a few people (including myself) said basically that it was annoying but let them be and a ton of people supported it. Who decried it?

I don't understand the thinking that would have this be an "attack on Christianity and Christians". Nobody's telling anyone what to think here. It's encouragement for people with certain beliefs (and lack of belief is a belief) to express themselves.

IMO, the most Christian thing a Christian has said in this thread is what Shani posted. On the other hand, the attitude that others not believing what you believe is an attack on you is patently UN-Christian.

I'm agnostic, so don't assume that I'm Christian just because I think this particular link is supposed to be confrontational. I think this "Blasphemy Challenge" *is* intended as an attack on Christianity because it's advertised as a Blasphemy Challenge, which is by definition the act of cursing God (not disbelieving in God's existence, but CURSING God). That couldn't have been intended as a friendly, "Here's what I believe" statement. It's clearly more like, "I don't believe what you believe, nyah nyah nyah!" I'm not saying that it is wrong, but I do believe that the purpose of it is to spite Christianity. Like I said before, though, there's no reason for anyone to worry about it unless someone starts threatening or advocating violence :)

I was part of a conversation about the videos before woohog posted about them. But I see your point. It doesn't necessarily translate to this discussion.

Although, to be fair, the disclaimer about not flaming people who believe in "GOD" makes it pretty clear what side of the fence woohog is on.

Okay, thanks for putting it into context for me :)

Wow, never realized this would take off like it did. I was not trying to stir up a hornest nest,If I did, it surely was not my intention. As far as posting the link, I just wanted to know what the thoughts on it were. I didn't say anything good or bad, on purpose. I think the only true way to learn something is too keep my mouth shut and just listen. Thanks for all the comments on here.
As far as christians acting like christians I would agree that most do not. It takes someone with a very strong faith to practice what they preach. I am trying to do just that. Not sure that I am doing a very good job of it, but I am trying. If you don't believe in God thats ok, its not for me to tell you what you can or must believe in thats exactly what it is.... a personal belief.
Also Jennifer, I posted this as Blasphemy challenge because that was what it was posted on youtube as. I probably should have changed the title, but I didnt think about it before I did. Sorry.

Cmon woohog, you didnt think this would stir the pot just a bit??? And stir you did!! I'm kidding dude, no biggie...its all relative anyway!! This is just a message board and most likely wont change the world!! Rock on!!!

Nope, this just did it. Saw it on CNN. Officially, GOD IS DEAD.

Now, carry on.

Yea Dave, I was trying to stir the pot, now I never thought it would get this stirred. Just wanted peoples opinions on this one particular issue, but it went out of control

Nah, this isn't out of control. You haven't seen some of the other threads where christianity vs. atheism reside. I'm pleased with the civility of this thread. Kudos

Well I try at least. I wasnt really wanting to get in that debate,just more wondering what people thought about the subject of the video, but it can be hard to seperate the two sometimes.

Well perhaps what you mean is not the "subject" of the video but the "purpose"?

Personally, I think the purpose of the video is rather silly. And it doesn't do much to make me want to watch the film...especially if the filmmaker's are associated with it. You are right in that it is a little mean-spirited to proclaim one's atheism at the expense of another's belief in god, but you know, eh...I've seen worse.

Oh, and another thing, I didn't get the impression that they were trying to "convert" kids to atheism. Just encouraging people to make a video stating their beliefs.

I was just teasing...Its really no big deal!! As another member stated, this is not out of control...not even close. I've seen out of control on a message board, and this aint it! In fact everyone has been damn near civil. I havent even seen any posts being disected line by line, so it cant be that bad...:) Have a wonderful rest of the day!!:) And get to work on those brakes!!:)

I never thought about anna nicole smith that way. ;)

...And people say atheists don't try to attack organized religion.

On one hand it's sad, yet I can't help but laugh. If God isn't real, then why do so many people spend their time trying to disprove his existence? Seems a bit odd to me. Oh well... Let the people have their fun. The last laugh will be on them ^_^

Ooook. So people say atheists don't try and attack organised religion. Guess what? Those people are correct, for the most part. What is the difference between a Christian posting a video with all their beliefs and an athiest posting a video with their beliefs? Should the atheiests just keep their mouths shut and pretend nobody cares that they don't believe in god?

If god is real, then why do people spend so much time trying to prove his existence?? That logic is flawed. If a person feels they have a connection with god, cthulu, flying spaghetti monster, anna nicole smith or whatever, that's fine. That's great for your life. For me, I don't feel any connection and I don't believe there is some magician in the sky developing all the outcomes for people.


If god knows the future, the future must already be determined. If the future is already determined, we have no control over our future actions. If we have no control over our future actions, we can't be judged based on them.