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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
To blaspheme is to speak with contempt about God or to be defiantly irreverent. According to Black's Law Dictionary, blasphemy is "the written or oral reproach of God, His name, attributes, or reli...
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Mike Dumais
Two forms of blasphemy are very prevalent in our modern culture today. In fact it is more acceptable to use the Lord's name in vain than to use a whole host of "forbidden" words. Think the "F", "C" and "N" words...and many others. This hyper sensitivity to politically or socially incorrect language not only outweighs the damage done to social sensibilities when used, but often mask or detract us from acknowledging the second and increasingly prevalent form of blasphemy: Attributing unholy or our characteristics (sinful) to God. i.e. Reasoning He approves of gay marriage, embryonic stem cell research, formication, etc.
Aurel Gheorghe
The Bible definition of blasphemy is very clear: for a mortal man (or woman) to pretend to be God and have the power to forgive sin. In John 10:30-33, Jesus was about to be stoned for claiming to be one with the Father. The Jews who were going to kill Him said: “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.” In another instance, Jesus had forgiven a man’s sins, and the scribes complained: “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:7). Clearly, Jesus was not a blasphemer; He was God and He was able to forgive sin. But for a man to make such claims would constitute blasphemy, according to the Bible’s own definition. In addition, in Matthew 26:59-65, we read that Jesus is being brought before the Sanhedrin and asked if He is Christ, the Son of God. Upon Jesus’ admission, they accused Him of blasphemy: “He has spoken blasphemy!” (Matthew 26:65). In conclusion, any person, or institution, which pretends to be in place of God, or have the power to forgive sin, is clearly committing blasphemy (Revelation 17:3-6). Many Bible scholars believe that the Revelation 17 harlot represents the Catholic Church, as the Pope claims to be "earthly representative of God or Christ" (Vicarius Christi), and the priests have to power to absolve sin through the Sacrament of Penance. That is clearly a blasphemy as the Holy Spirit is God’s representative on earth (John 14:26) and only God can forgive sins (Mark 2:7).
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