Blasphemy Challenge offends Christian religion

Joanna Northrup (Thursday, March 27)

Everyone has the right to their own belief system. After all, that is the first reason why people came to this country. We see other religions all around us here at college. It is a diverse way of living, and not many will complain about it. I believe the diversity is good. There is a point, though, where people take their right to freedom of speech and freedom of religion a little bit too far by using it to intentionally offend other religions. A key example of this would be the Blasphemy Challenge.

If one were to go to blasphemychallenge.com they would see precisely what this challenge is all about. It asks people of all ages to upload a video to youtube.com and damn their soul to hell by committing the one sin the bible says is unforgivable—denying the Holy Spirit.

So one may ask, what exactly is the big deal? It’s not your soul that is being damned. This, however, is not the point. The point is simple; the person who uploads the video is doing nothing more than purposely offending Christians all around the world. Opponents may say that Christians express their beliefs all of the time. This, however, is not quite the same. If a Christian is to speak to a person about their religious beliefs it is not to demean the other religion or do anything offensive. Much rather it is to express concern and care for the other person’s soul. They do so out of love. However, those who participate in the blasphemy challenge do it for what reason? They do it out of want to receive a free DVD of the documentary “The God Who Wasn’t There”.

It’s not necessarily the person who uploads a video who is trying to offend Christians around the world, but rather the source. The founders of blasphemychallege.com must ask themselves what is the reasoning behind what they are doing. In the end they need to realize that if they want to deny the Christian beliefs then that is their own business, but using propaganda to promote others to do so is not only wrong, but offensive.

If one wants to voice their opinion that’s all well and good. But no belief system should use gimmicks to draw others in. The belief in hell is an incentive for Christians to live a good life and to be good people. It is not ok to exploit this belief and publicize it as a place that is worth going to for a mere DVD. This sight should be seen for what it really is, an attack against the Christian religion, and stopped. Those who are participating need to consider who all they are offending and why.

30 Responses to "Blasphemy Challenge offends Christian religion"


Student
March 27, 2008 5:26 pm
Oh good lord. What the hell is this?
Well...
March 27, 2008 7:39 pm
This is a prime example of how much of an uneducated idiot Joanna Northrup truly is. Way to go Joanna, you've really outdone yourself this time.
people are stupid
March 27, 2008 7:57 pm
christians are always discriminated against....God will prevail in the end, just read the Book.
Student
March 27, 2008 11:25 pm
Since when are christians discriminated against in this country? Grow up.
People?
March 27, 2008 11:34 pm
I like how she is giving them publicity, when she says she doesn't want them to be publicized.
christian
March 28, 2008 9:00 am
In this country it is socially acceptable to make fun of religion. I just don't agree with that. I believe there should be freedom to choose religon or to choose against religion. However, to make fun of and disrespect for the purpose of disrespect is discrimination in my standards. I think that could go with gender, race, and culture as well.
student
March 28, 2008 9:24 am
Seriously another column about religion? How about coming up with a new thought and if you can't do that then why isn't any of the editors stopping it?
important
March 28, 2008 11:38 pm
obviously religion is important to students. student paper covers student issues. duh
Smorpy
March 29, 2008 7:32 am
My favorite part about Joanna's column is how she's such a hypocrite.
1041
March 29, 2008 11:52 pm
What in the world?? Is this woman soliciting people to not believe in God? Unbelievable.
Finally agree.
March 30, 2008 1:38 pm
I have seen alot of Joanna Northrup's articles, some of which really pissed me off. But for once i have to say I agree with her. As a Christian this "blasphemy challenge" is offencive to me, and I just dont see the point in offending others. I agree. If one does not believe in the God I believe in, or wants to go to hell (though i dont know why they would) they need to keep that to themselves.
Horrah for actually writing something that makes sence Joanna, I finally agree with you.
Because you can't spell
March 30, 2008 4:01 pm
Wow "Finally agree"...that would be "offensive" and "sense."

Thank you so much for simultaneously declaring your lack of intellect and intelligence.

Just because you're a Christian doesn't mean you're obligated to support a poorly-constructed argument that, in the end, actually sheds a negative light on Christians.

Way to go.
not everyone can spell
March 30, 2008 11:17 pm
so get over it... I am not stupid.. i am a math major. I agree with her. Maybe... well i will pray for you.
Nothing New
March 31, 2008 12:16 am
It nothing new that Christians are being targeted because of their beliefs in fact it is now socially acceptable. If someone were to say there is no Allah or that Scientology is fiction it would be considered a hate crime and taken very seriously. If the Blasphemy Challenge were targeting another religion it would not be allowed to remain on Youtube.com. Freedom is only allowed among Christians as long as you do not tell others about your beliefs. There are still people who think being a Christian means you are sinless, and so therefore you are a hypocrite because you make mistakes, Christians are not perfect. Joanna, remember that Satan was once an angel and is very good at playing the part of an angel of light. May God have mercy on their souls for they don't
Nothing New
March 31, 2008 12:18 am
understand what they do.
i agree with you
March 31, 2008 12:38 am
nothing new,
very well put. Thank you!
Please
March 31, 2008 12:42 am
I can't believe this crap. Joanna's typcial column. Like usual it sucks and is very hypocritical. Learn to write and grow up Joanna.
seriously please...
March 31, 2008 5:24 pm
are you jelous of Joanna or something... i mean for reals... you are obviously the only one writing all of the negitive comments... your voice and tone is the same. Why do you care so much to comment more than one time?

Gosh i know i dont have that kind of time. I may disagree with her, which i do, but you got to admit she has to have balls to piss of someone like you... so very much... and no doubt otheres.

I say all power to her... even if her articles are wrong, in my opinion often, GIRL HAS GOT BALLS.
Asshole
March 31, 2008 6:11 pm
Thanks Joanna for your input. It isn't needed. Why are you commenting on your own column.
Ha ha
March 31, 2008 8:47 pm
Wow no kidding. That's so funny.
Benjamin J. Howard
March 31, 2008 10:26 pm
Freedom of speech is key element of our constitution and our society, just as freedom of religion is. The author has the right to voice her opinion, and we as readers have the right to respond however we wish.

In response, I believe the position of the author is inherently flawed. The Constitution protects freedom of speech in the same breath it protects freedom of religion. If non-Christians want to offer someone a DVD, they have the right to do that in just about anyway they choose to even if they choose a means which is offensive to some. Christian proselytizing is offensive to some, but Ms. Northrup defends this practice as being out of "love". In fact, one's perception of such activity is dependent entirely upon one's point of view. What she calls "love" some with a different point of view might call bigotry or ignorance. The same can be said of the "Blasphemy Challenge," it all depends upon your point of view. She has the right to be offended, but in the United States no one has the right to say that because some find something offensive, it should be stopped. At least not yet.
ok mr. howard
April 1, 2008 6:53 pm
so.....its okay to discriminate against christians but not muslims, atheists, etc. good to know. Thanks!
Okay, Mr. "ok mr. howard"
April 1, 2008 8:41 pm
That must be one hell of a strawman you're arguing with!
Emily Adams
April 1, 2008 11:18 pm
I read this and felt compelled to respond. What Ben is saying is that everyone is free to practice and express their own individual beliefs in any manner that they choose, and just because it is offensive for some does NOT mean it should be denied for all. He is right on when he says that this is a right that belongs to anyone, and we should be grateful that it is so. Would any of us like to live in a world where those that did not like our beliefs denied us of our practice? I think not. Thank goodness we live in a culture that allows us the freedom of religion.

I felt that the argument made in this article was severely weak. While I am not saying that I in any way, shape, or form agree with the beliefs expressed by the “offensive website”, I do feel it is wrong to speak for an entire religion the way she does for the “Christian” religion. Here I felt the author showed too much bias and not enough common sense:

“If a Christian is to speak to a person about their religious beliefs it is not to demean the other religion or do anything offensive. Much rather it is to express concern and care for the other person’s soul.” P. 3
--How impressive that she can speak for the entire religion, and all its sects (which have different ideals, by the way)!--

Joanna also stated (as fact) that “no belief system should use gimmicks to draw others in”, and that using “propaganda” to have others promote your beliefs is wrong. Now, here is where I think she is confused and a bit hypocritical. Maybe you just don't understand the definition of propaganda, Joanna, because I've been handed enough flyers, sent emails, given bibles, and been accosted by too many pushy Christian evangelists through the television set to know that this is a completely blind and deaf argument. All in all, it would be nice to read more reasonable and intelligent arguments from this author in the future.
but wait
April 2, 2008 1:13 am
What I think Benjamin is saying is that everyone is free to practice and express their own individual
beliefs in any manner they choose, and just because it is
offensive for some does NOT mean it should be denied for all. He is correct when he says that the way someone chooses to express their point of view is a right that belongs to anyone, and
we should be grateful that it is so. Would any of us like to live in a
world where those that did not like our beliefs denied us of our
practice and expression? I don’t think so. Thank goodness we live in a culture that allows
us the freedom of religion.
Benjamin J. Howard
April 8, 2008 10:06 am
Yes, thank goodness we have freedom of religion. However, the key issue here is not freedom of religion but freedom of expression, even if it is offensive to a religion or religious sect. There is no discrimination taking place here. It's a marketing ploy that is dubious as best, but no one is being denied a job, or housing, or their representation in congress, etc.

This is not an issue of discrimination or even religion in the strictest sense. It is an issue of expression.
Patrick Kohler
April 8, 2008 1:45 pm
It is not just for a free DVD. It is mostly standing up and saying, "I do not believe what you believe! Stop bothering me!" You say that people try and spread the message of Jesus to save other peoples souls. The Rational Response Squad is spreading the message to be your own free self. The whole Blasphemy Challenge is more of a parody of becoming "born again" than an attack on Christians. Many Christians feel that they are unfairly attacked, but when you are the largest group in the United States and you are the most prominent group in the world going out to bring people to your religion - you are going to get the brunt of attacks.

The Rational Response Squad is a more extreme group of Atheist. There relatively conservative groups like, American Atheist http://www.atheists.org/. There are some who are more moderate like the Atheist Community of Austin http://atheist-community.org/ and Minnesota Atheist http://mnatheists.org/. These moderate groups aim to spread "positive atheism" and produce weekly radio shows, public access television shows, sponsor lecturers, and reach out to their respective communities.

Feel free to contact me on Facebook if you have any more questions on Atheism or if you would like to find out more about what Atheism is.
Wow...
April 8, 2008 4:39 pm
Ok, speaking as a Christian myself, if I hear one more Christian say "I'll pray for you" out of spite, I don't know what I'll do. It's such a blatant and disgusting attmept to use God as a means of offending another person, which is both entirely corrupt and misdirected. One would think a true Christian would know better.
TEETO the Mexican guito
April 13, 2008 10:58 pm
Patty, I have two words for you: "Pascals wager." Before you embrace atheism, please think long and hard about the logic behind such foolishness.

In order to save you from having to punch those two words into Google, let me sum it up. If you embrace Christ and accept him as your savior then you have gained everything assuming, of course, that Jesus is who he says he was. If however Jesus is not lord and was instead a liar or lunatic, then by accepting him you have lost nothing. Again: you have everything to gain and nothing to lose. This logic, although seeming simple, doesn't account for a very powerful variable: pride. Pride is the reason most people will fail to follow the aforementioned logic. Men and women alike will let their pride lead them, consequences be damned.
Face it folks the most learned historians agree that Jesus actually lived. The disagreement comes down to this: since we know he lived, was he a liar, looneytoon, or lord? It has to have been one of the three. I've placed my bets on the latter and I hope you do too.
TEETO
Older Student
May 11, 2008 2:35 am
Ok, so I am a Christian, but I am also an American, and I do not believe that the two concepts are incompatible. Two of the things that I hold most dear are the freedom of religion and the freedom of speech that (so far) the constitution has guaranteed our right to. It is a pity, though, that people do not exercise the self-restraint, as well as the respect of others, to limit their use of free speech to speaking out for what they believe in, rather than tearing down what others believe in. There are a lot of belief systems out that that might might seem squirrelly to me, but so long as they don't infringe on my life, then I have no reason to comment on them. Whatever makes people happy.

The people who who sponsor such a website as this "blasphemy challenge" apparently don't feel that way - they are not happy just believing what they believe (or not believing what they don't believe) but have to tear down others. They do not, however, have any bearing on my life, and are not worth being concerned about. I think that people like Joana, while their hearts might be in the right place, worry too much about nothing. There is really zero chance that anyone who is grounded in any of the Christian faiths is going to say "Hey, I think I'll go to that website and upload something." Websites like that are like political rallies - nobody goes except the people who already support the party. They don't sway anyone - ever.