What is your opinion about this interview of one of the co-founders of the Blasphemy Challenge?

Question

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDB3rHOHu4E&feature=related

I noticed that the interviewer asked the guest why he was so angry, but for some reason, it seemed to me like it was the interviewer who was angry and the guest who was calm and logical. It also seemed that in many instances, the interviewer kept asking basically the same question over and over again but never appeared to actually be hearing the answer given. I am Pagan by the way and I am wondering if my perception of this interview is similar or different to people of other spiritual beliefs. Please tell me what your perception of this interview was?

Oh, also, please tell me what your religion/spiritual beliefs are, if any.

Catherine V, You are doing the exact same thing the interviewer did. You aren't listening to the person's answer. He told you his motive, which is to liberate people from fear. Instead of hearing him, you decide you know better what is in his mind than he does. Why do you do this?

Catherine V,
You have totally confused me. Please explain to me when it was that I supposedly said, "You've got it wrong". You can't claim that I sent you an email or IM, because you don't allow either. I do use my intuition, yet nothing about this person's demeanor caused me to think he hated Christians. If anything, he appeared to feel sorry for them and want to help them. I also noticed his upset at the idea of parents mentally and emotional terrorizing their children. You may not think he's right, but It seems pretty obvious that he believes what he's saying. I really do want to hear your opinion and I am glad that you took the time to answer, but not only am I shocked at your reaction to the interview, but also your reaction to what I said. Just because someone thinks Christianity is harmful, it does not mean that he hates Christians. IMO, If you are basing your judgment of this man upon personal experience in life, then you have obviously had a harder than average life.

Answer 1

The interviewer seemed unwilling to listen, but I don't think the interviewee was giving stellar answers either. I mean, did he really actively seek out these kids, or did they type "blasphemy challenge" into their search engines?

Answer 2

Oh so much to say.

Lets start with the interview. I was never a big fan of FOX News and this is a big reason why. This was one of the worst examples of biased journalism I have ever seen. The interviewer came in on the attack and did not try to see the issue in an unbiased manner. The subject was defiantly apposed to Christianity but I thought he did very well in the face of a very aggressive interviewer.

Now on to our little Catholic friend Cathrin V. Vitamin C did not say you are wrong but I will "YOU ARE WRONG!!!!!!" You are the prime example of why so many people have trouble with your religion. You rigidly hold to the false and misconceived beliefs of a religion that is all about hate and guilt, like a drowning man holds on to a life preserver. Your clear and strong reaction that the subject of the interview is full of hate and that vitamin C and others said you were wrong is intriguing. You seem very defensive could it be that secretly, you feel wronged by your Catholic priests. Could it be that instead of your "aunt fanny" what you really wanted to say was G** Dam** them? hmm something to ponder.

Answer 3

This did not seem like a jounalist objectively asking questions or interviewing a subject . It seemed more like a debate between the subject and an angry Christian . The interviewer made no intelligent points and made himself seem stupid . Regardless of which side of the issue you are on this just seems like poor journalism and Christians should complain that this show made them look like a bunch of angry , scared loonies .

EDIT :

I have to agree with Vitamin C that Catherine V is just outraged that other people disagree with her . She associates disbelief in the Biblical god with hate , when it is simply an opinion , a belief just like her's that the Biblical "god" is real .
The subject did exhibit resentment . AND he admited it AND he explained it . He resented people bringing up children in fear of eternal punishment by a "god" that they can NOT prove , by legal or scientific standards , even exists . Yet Catherine V talks about not trusting a used car salesman . At least most states have laws to punish people when it comes to misrepresenting reality when it comes to used cars . Not so religion ,unfortunatly .

Catherine , there is a difference between anger and hate . While the subject , and the people on the video , may be angry at parents who bring up children in what they feel is an atmosphere of mythological fear , hate and revenge , this does not equate with hatred . I am sure most of these people also feel that their parents were deluded and unfortunatly not able to see the truth . For the most part these people do not "hate God ... They don't believe he exists . They are putting down the ridiculous stories of hate and murder and terrorism and jealousy and ... , found in the Biblical descriptions of the god they were brought up to fear .

BTW the subject did not encourage these people to blaspheme "God" by giving them free DVDs . No real religious person is going to deny his faith for a DVD . The people on the video are clearly expressing their pain and anger over having been brought up to believe in and fear a vengeful , angry , petty "God" that their parents can't prove exists any more than they can prove the existance of the "Easter Bunny" or Zeus .

djmantx : to state once again ! The subject was not angry at "God" he was angry / resentful regarding parents who instead of EXPLORING the truth about reality , just decided to go ahead and carry on the tradition of bringing up children in fear of a god who drowned everyone on earth , killed all the first born sons of an entire race , condemed everyone to original sin and loss of the Garden of Eden , sends people to eternal damnation in hell if they pick the wrong god to listen to , and so forth . And the worst part is it all based on ancient writings and superstitions .
Even Catherine V wouldn't buy a car from a man who said a 2500 year old book predicted this would be the best used car ever .

Answer 4

First, If religion were silly this would be what?
Denying God is not blasphemy...To blaspheme the Holy Spirit is to deny all truth and is forever and can not be accomplished simply by denying the Holy Spirit at one point in your life.
My perception is that one man is attacking a religious belief and leading people form God's truth and the other man was wondering why he was attacking the truth?
The influence in this man's life that leads him to lead people to blaspheme God would be an obvious anger...The man himself says that believing Christ died to save them form hell is terrorizing children. He must believe that he was terrorized causing this anger.
The truth of the Gospel is not that if a man does not follow God he is doomed to eternal hell but that Jesus does pay the penalty of sin for all who accept him that they might have eternal life with God.
As one who once considered himself to be atheist I do not understand this man's anger toward a God he does not believe exist.
As a Christian who does know God I clearly do know the influence that does attack God and his truth.

Answer 5

I think they both seemed pretty hostile: the interviewer was hotly belligerent; while the guest seemed cooly hateful.

Why do I say "hateful"? What else would be the reason for someone to encourage others to "blaspheme" - to say things intended solely to shock and grieve others? The only possible motive is hate. Hate toward God and hate toward believers.

The interviewer was responding as expected: the typical human reaction to experiencing hatred seemingly directed at them, is to become belligerent in return.

Very troubling, and very sad. Prayers needed for this misguided young man and his followers.

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The Questioner follow-up: Q. "Catherine V, You are doing the exact same thing the interviewer did. You aren't listening to the person's answer. He told you his motive, which is to liberate people from fear. Instead of hearing him, you decide you know better what is in his mind than he does. Why do you do this?"

A. You mean to tell me that you don't automatically use your intuition and experience to evaluate how credible you feel someone is, and that sometimes your impression of their motives contradicts what they're telling you their motives are?

If you're implying that you think people should always be believed at face value when they say what their motives are, then please do yourself a favor: don't ever walk into a used car showroom, or purchase a piece of real estate . . . Don't ever become seriously involved romantically, or sit on a jury! And please, please don't ever - ever -ever vote!!!

OK, I'll take that as a "yes" . . . that, in fact, you do, of course, watch and listen to others carefully, and then ask yourself, "I hear what this person is saying . . . is what they are saying consistent with their actions, attitude, demeanor? Are they credible?"

You do this. I do this. We all do.

(Well . . . utter simpletons don't. But other than them . . .)

I felt the guest wasn't credible as to his motives. His presentation and overall demeanor didn't come across to me as that of "a liberator". He came across as one smoldering with resentment and with hate.

That's my opinion of what I saw. You asked for our opinions. I guess, in my case, you're sorry you asked.

FINAL EDIT:
The questioner and another user have informed me that my opinion about the guest being interviewed is wrong. Flat out told me "you've got it wrong". You know what? I'm a Catholic. If my priest or my bishop ever invited me to share my opinion about a TV show, you know what they would do if they disagreed with the opinion they had invited me to share? They would listen politely and would never, never say, "You've got it all wrong."

But these . . . er, "liberated" folks do just that.

I guess this is a perfect illustration of what they mean by the expression, "When I want your opinion, I'll give it to you."

"Liberated", my Aunt Fanny!

Answer 6

Holy crap.

No wonder I don't watch Fox News.

That's their interpretation of "Fair and Balanced"??

I've never seen a more biased interviewer. Even the guy who goes trolling for Internet pedophiles has a more respectful tone.

He wouldn't even wait for an answer, and didn't listen to the answers he did get. All he did was rant at the atheist guy for five minutes, and did everything short of telling him he's going to hell.

Answer 7

My perception of the interview:

Interviewer: Why are you telling children to do this?
Guy:
Interviewer: So why are you telling children to do this?
Guy:
Interviewer: Why are you telling people to turn away from God?
Guy:
Interviewer: Why are you so angry about it?
Guy:
Interviewer: You make me sick.
Interviewer: I know a bunch of volunteers who are Christians and play basketball.

What I'm saying is that I think I agree with you.

Answer 8

interviewer seems prompted, like he had a wire sending him questions, or signs from behing the camera. Did you notice how he would pause, & look slightly to the l. of camera? He did not seem to be hearing the guest well. as open debates on religion invite contitious spirits to manifest, then one must have a measure of
GOD's power to conduct a succesful, peaceful religious debate.

On this topic I feel personally and eternally grateful that Jesus Christ, His marterdom, His Church & it's persecution, & the Atonement at a young tender age. Did it de-tenderize me. When I met you all, you will be feeling the love of Christ around us, including in ;me

Answer 9

Indeed, legalism is harmful to ppl; Even "spiritual" abuse,
as well as physical & verbal abuse is abusive, not grace us.

But get your facts straight, not twisted from bible perversions.
It's "blasphemy the Ghost" is unforgiveable: Matthew 12:31;
clarified as speaking against a Holy "Ghost": Matthew 12:32.
It's "blaspheme(speaking) against the Holy Ghost" hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Mk 3:29.
The allegory: it's speaking against law that law won't forgive.
All have done it, even if only to say of parental law, it's not fair.

Know the truth makes you free of believe lies: John 8:32.
"God is a Spirit" (Grace), not a Ghost (Law): John 4:24
So worship God in grace & truth, not in Ghostly law & lie;
as law & grace are compared as lie & truth in John 1:17.

The law (and surely die lie) was given by Moses,
but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Jn 1:17

God "hath forgiven" you, for Christ's sake: Ephesians 4:32.
I wonder how God did that, if blasphemy = unforgive-able?
Obviously by the operation of God removes cancer us law.

Forgiveness is to be all inclusive, or else not you either:
- Matthew 6:15 says forgive all men, or else not you either.
- Matthew 18:35 says forgive all, or expect tormentor visit.
- Mark 11:26 says either forgive, or be unforgiven yourself.

How can anyone be truly forgiven? By abolition of the law.
For law, being faulty: Heb 8, can't purge conscience of sin;
And a conscience not purged, will sin and death a person.

Not to mention charity is above forgiving one another;
for charity (never faileth) thinketh no evil (no law at all).

So then, yes, legalism is as abusive as being a bull-y;
And the USA is pretty horeb-bull, unto those it bull-ies.
So let's flush all the legalism, to stop all the horeb-bull.

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.

Answer 10

The interviewer is quite clearly a biased fool.It is not just you.