Blasphemy

[-Talbot-]

Last night after a few sherbets the conversation got round to believing in God or not.

I asked the unbeleivers to say something blasphemous...not one of them would,
they appeared scared to do so and looked shocked when I did.

What's your view on blasphemy?

[ummmm]

As you know I'm Irish...we blaspheme on an hourly basis.

[jomifl]

It's a wonderful thing ..it makes you feel better and disproves the existence of god in one go.

[sandyRoe]

Some people feel free to traduce the Christian God. They're not so keen to lay their neck on the block when it comes to the Islamic one.
I believe God's above such things.

[naomi24]

The same as my views on sin. It's a construction designed to instil fear of retribution.

[jomifl]

It's the same one Sandy.

[sandyRoe]

You're a monotheist?

[-Talbot-]

Why when they say they don't believe in god are they scared to say anything against him... I think a couple of them thought I was going to be struck down there and then.

[douglas9401]

Our main weapon is fear and surprise.

If believers have a deep faith then what the rest say should be immaterial, to be pitied and scorned.
Having said that, the faithful can be and often are a nasty lot regardless of the flavour of their fantasy.
Their kind and loving gods must stand slack-jawed at what is done in their name.

[Mosaic]

Your post is reminiscent of a scene from CS Lewis's 'Out of the Silent Planet', where the protagonist is ordered to abuse a church crucifix.

It also made me ask, why?
I'm an atheist but I wouldn't want to gratuitously cause offence.

One of my friends has had a similar lifelong reaction from some people, about being a vegetarian - some folk just can't leave it alone and constantly go on about it.

Atheism, vegetarianism, train spotting - their all personal choices.Just let it lie.

[ummmm]

God fearing people also blaspheme...

My aunt (in law) is a 70 year old church goer and Mary mother of Jesus does she fecking blaspheme for Christ's sake...

[ummmm]

Yep...and I've just bumped into an old friend in the street and my opening line was 'Jesus Christ, I haven't seen you in years'

[-Talbot-]

Catch you later...I have to go to a Christening ;0)

[RATTER15]

I would never blaspheme, I just hope the miserable self absorbed Mother **** rots in hell for his own sins against humanity!!!

[ummmm]

Ratter....he isn't real!! :-)

[RATTER15]

ummmm, Oh yes! well just in case, my comment stands!! so there!

[ummmm]

I echo your sentiments, Ratter, he's one angry MF....

[Hypognosis]

@Talbot

//Why when they say they don't believe in god are they scared to say anything against him... //

I think it is because you've caught them out in a _lie_, if you ask me.

Or they are hedging their bets.

//I think a couple of them thought I was going to be struck down there and then.//

Yep. Them's the liars.

I very rarely accuse others of lying but, even without meeting them in person that's what their behaviour is suggesting.

[Hypognosis]

@ummmm

Why is swearing treated as blasphemous?

I can understand why proclaiming that god has done something bad or has failed to protect his children or that faith itself is wrong might rate as blasphemy but using venerated words as mete emphatics in day to day speech, what the photon is wrong with that?

[Mamyalynne]

It doesn't impress me or bother me much.

I once got detention for saying 'Jesus wept and little fishes swam in it' - think I'd heard another girl say it in the playground.

Had no idea what it meant, I was eight.

[ummmm]

I don't see anything wrong with it at all. Talbot just made me think about it. I use the Lords name in vain numerous times a day. Being a very clumsy person I say 'oh for Gods sake' quite often...I also use swear words :-D

I'm an atheist...