The scene: The film maker sneaks into the chapel where as a child he – three times to be sure – received Christ as savior, always in fear of hell fire. He then looks into the camera in the very same chapel and utters the words “I deny the Holy Spirit.” One might question whether saying these words are the same as actually denying the Holy Spirit, but the sense of the scene was overwhelmingly clear. Here was a man facing his childish fears – fears which were unfairly placed in him by well-meaning believers. By saying these words, he was demonstrating a victory over fear and death which was far more compelling than any Jesus-story, because it was based in reality.

But for adults who have decided to think for themselves, I think it’s fine. The church’s dire warnings against blasphemy, and pronouncements about “unforgivable sin” seem to be more of the same scare tactics and fear mongering that we see with all the “hellfire and brimstone” sermons. I think most fundamentalist preachers would prefer that non-believers just hide quietly in a closet, and never speak up or encourage the flock to think. I think it’s great to see individuals stand up and say “No! I am not buying it! And you don’t scare me!” It might cause anxiety for someone not totally convinced, but so can a lot of other things. But seeing someone publicly state that they do not believe, and doing so without fear, and without being struck by lightning, might be helpful to others.

So I say – kids, no. Wait til you’re older. But for everybody else, if you are at the point in your de-conversion where you are ready to put religion behind you, and to do it publicly, go for it.

I respectfully ask that you re-read my comment as I believe there is a misunderstanding.

My original comment was one of a simple agreement with de-Convert’s thoughts on The Blasphemy Challenge and my personal belief that human intelligence cannot say for certain whether or not God, in any form, exists. If you review the context of my original statement regarding the Holy Spirit you will see that I did not make a matter of fact declaration.

Furthermore the perspective of how people, or should I say Christians, view non-believers in reference to their thoughts on the Holy Spirit is irrelevant with respect to the definition of good as is presented (not to mention the fact that it is off topic).

And finally in regards to your closing comment, point taken, however your thoughts presented in this paragraph actually support de-Convert’s argument that the path towards atheism occurs gradually in small steps and while The Blasphemy Challenge could be the catalyst in a positive conviction it could just as easily produce the opposite effect and cause anxiety for someone who is not totally convinced either way.

The point is to shake people out of their complacent blind faith. Many of the de-converts on this site have said that their doubts came not from one earth-shattering event, but from a series of small things, each nudging them until their doubts started to become un-ignorable. The Blasphemy Challenge might be one of those nudges. If someone sees a Blasphemy Challenge video and it inspires them to take a good hard look at what they believe and why, then it was a good thing.

For years I have swayed back and forth from believing to not believing in Christianity and DC’s remark in regards to ones own convictions being a decision that takes time is right on the mark.

Look at it from various angles, say you do not believe, this in itself would rationally dictate that there is no point in making any blasphemous declaration. Furthermore there is no reason to talk bad about a spirit that even on paper alone can only be described as being good (what is evil about an entity that cures disease, blindness and human suffering in general? Answer = nothing.)

And then there is the “what if” component, can I say for 100% certain that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit do not exist? Of course not, no one can. So in the off/unquantifiable chance that the Holy Spirit does exist, why talk bad about a force of good?

And finally, taking into consideration all of these perspectives and relating back the the challenge – what good can come from participating?

Then answer should be obvious.