The Blasphemy Challenge

by Elsewhere 26 Replies latest jw friends

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  funkyderek

  LittleToe:

  It's right at the bottom alongside burning an American flag, in my list of things that genuinely make a point and a difference in life. "Yayy, look at me, I can burn an American flag, I'm not scared of your guns, tanks, grenades and nukes, etc.!" "Yayy, look at me, I can cuss at GOd on video. I'm not scared of your lightning bolts and hell, etc."

  Certainly, denying the existence of a mythological entity seems like so much tilting at windmills. But to a lot of people, the holy spirit is a real thing, even a person. Many of these people are afraid that if they even question the existence of this being, they will be condemned, without possibility of reprieve, to an eternity of the worst sort of torture imaginable. What the Blasphemy Challenge does is show that there are a lot of people who are not afraid of this threat, who are confident enough in their disbelief that they will speak out about it. This may encourage others to question what they have been told and even break free from a lifetime of indoctrination.

  I'm not even sure it has theraputic value to those engaging in it, though it does take a cheap potshot at the beliefs of a significant section of humanity.

  Those beliefs deserve to have potshots taken at them. How dare anybody tell a vulnerable and trusting child that if they even think the wrong thing, they will suffer in agony forever! How dare they mentally rape a child with such a vile and ludicrous threat! Those beliefs deserve no respect or deference, and they will get none from me.
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  LittleToe

  Derek:
  Good to see ya around - missed ya

  But to a lot of people, the holy spirit is a real thing, even a person. Many of these people are afraid that if they even question the existence of this being, they will be condemned, without possibility of reprieve, to an eternity of the worst sort of torture imaginable.

  I'm guessing those aren't the people taking the challenge...

  How dare anybody tell a vulnerable and trusting child that if they even think the wrong thing, they will suffer in agony forever! How dare they mentally rape a child with such a vile and ludicrous threat!

  How often do you think preachers mention the "unforgivable sin"? I've heard one lecture about it in over five years, and it was at a midweek meeting where all the attendees were Christians, not the more public meetings of a Sunday where children might be around. I'm afraid you may be speaking from a position of ignorance, as this is not a doctrine that is accompanied with threats from the pulpit. Its a subject of great uncertainty, where even Ministers tread lightly, rather than "hell and damnation" pulpit material.
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  Elsewhere

  Little Toe,

  You're a man I respect and it's obvious that we're not going to see eye-to-eye on this matter. In situations like this I usually just go back and forth a few times and then allow all of the other readers to come to their own conclusions based on that short exchange.

  There is also another thing that tends to prevent me from arguing on the internet...
• 

  LittleToe

  I was wondering where I'd seen that pic.

  http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/128582/2279132/post.ashx#2279132
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  heathen

  I thought the unforgiveable sin to a J-dubb was dissention to the book publishing corporation . You saying it's not the truth was what damned you MR. LOL seriously tho I think the whole thing is silly .
• 

  funkyderek

  LittleToe:

  Good to see ya around - missed ya

  It's always nice to be missed

  I'm guessing those aren't the people taking the challenge...

  Of course not. Most people wouldn't make what they believe to be a false statement, the consequences of which are eternal torture. It is only those who have broken free from such superstition who can have the confidence to make such a statement.

  I'm afraid you may be speaking from a position of ignorance,

  That's never stopped me before!

  as this is not a doctrine that is accompanied with threats from the pulpit. Its a subject of great uncertainty, where even Ministers tread lightly, rather than "hell and damnation" pulpit material.

  Ironically, that makes it worse. Nobody seems to be sure exactly what is involved in committing this sin, only that once committed, it can never be atoned for. Imagine living in a country where there was one crime that was punished with execution without due process, no trial, no appeal, but nobody knew exactly what the crime was. Imagine the constant shroud of fear under which people would live.

  Those who are led to believe that the poorly defined sin against the holy spirit merits eternal damnation are in a very similar position, except that their punishment will never ever end. Creating awareness that what they have been taught is unverified nonsense can only be a good thing.
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  LittleToe

  Derek:

  I write: I'm afraid you may be speaking from a position of ignorance,
  You write: That's never stopped me before!

  Me neither

  Nobody seems to be sure exactly what is involved in committing this sin, only that once committed, it can never be atoned for.

  Which makes the challenge [just as / even more] ludicrous, when you really think about it