International Blasphemy Day next Wednesday (Sept. 30)

Atheists, skeptics, freethinkers and free-speech advocates around the world will mark Blasphemy Day by mounting their soapboxes—figuratively and literally—and uttering words and displaying images that may cause offense.

And they’re making no apologies.

“We’re not seeking to offend, but if in the course of dialogue and debate, people become offended, that’s not an issue for us,” said Justin Trottier, a Toronto coordinator of Blasphemy Day and executive director of the Ontario chapter of the Center for Inquiry. “There is no human right not to be offended.” {1}

BLAS'PHEMY, n. An indignity offered to God by words or writing; reproachful, contemptuous or irreverent words uttered impiously against Jehovah. Pointed profanity--this includes the words “God,” “Lord,” “Jesus,” “Christ” (unless used reverently), “Hell,” “S.O.B.,” “damn,” or every other profane or vulgar expression, however used--is forbidden.

Should this type of thing bother us as Christians? To me, it makes me angry. As I reflect on it I guess I'm like Peter at the betrayal and want to start chopping off ears to defend my Lord. But, what did Jesus do in this situation? Let's look at Matthew 26:52-53

But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?

Ouch! I guess I would be rebuked by the Lord. Well, what should we do as Christians in this situation? We should be like Moses. Let's look at Hebrews 11:24-26

24By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

You see, we should esteem the reproach of Christ, not bring reproach to Him. What does that mean? It means to suffer disgrace for the sake of Christ and not bring disgrace to His name. So for now we can comfort ourselves with these words:

Romans 12:19 (King James Version)

19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Hebrews 10:30 (King James Version)

30For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

Ezekiel 35:11-12 (King James Version)

11Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will even do according to thine anger, and according to thine envy which thou hast used out of thy hatred against them; and I will make myself known among them, when I have judged thee. 12And thou shalt know that I am the LORD, and that I have heard all thy blasphemies which thou hast spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, They are laid desolate, they are given us to consume.

Jeremiah 7:18-20 (King James Version)

18The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.

19Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces?

20Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.

Second, we need to be in prayer for these blasphemers that the Lord would draw them to repentance. As we have seen from these Scriptures, God will ultimately pour out His Wrath upon them. On that day, it will be too late for the blasphemers to repent. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. They desperately need prayer and repentance. Please, pray for them.

Third, remember that this day of blasphemy proves the existence of God. The very purpose in which they set out to achieve has back fired. They say there is no God, yet prove it by the very celebration they want to partake in! Glory to God! How can I say that? Because if there is no God, there could be no blasphemy!

As we know from Scripture, he has said in his heart there is no God. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

And AMEN! That my brothers and sisters is the Whole Truth-Joe

{1}By Leanne Larmondin September 24, 2009 RNS www.ReligionNews.com