question about blasphemy

[john1776]

I guess this is a question directed to all the evangelical christians out there. What is the likelihood that I will go to heaven if I curse God in anger just 2 seconds before my death? What if I verbally abuse Him and call Him filthy names like jerk or jackass just before I die? Would I still go to heaven? My other question is that is it really a sin to call God these kind of names? Does a mere human being like myself have the power to offend the creator of this universe with my words?

[Pyro]

I guess this is a question directed to all the evangelical christians out there. What is the likelihood that I will go to heaven if I curse God in anger just 2 seconds before my death? What if I verbally abuse Him and call Him filthy names like jerk or jackass just before I die? Would I still go to heaven? My other question is that is it really a sin to call God these kind of names? Does a mere human being like myself have the power to offend the creator of this universe with my words?

 

If you even have those kind of thoughts on your mind, then I would question your faith in God. If you have those thoughts, then you must not be a believer in what he really is, whereas IMHO, you won't be going to Heaven.

[Admiral Thrawn]

You are looking at things the wrong way because you've neglected the worst unforgivable blasphemy, which is neglecting the gift of God's grace.

 

Jesus already paid for your sins dude, you just have to repent, and say to God, thank you for loving me and sending your Son to die for all my sins, I receive Jesus into my heart.

 

You can not go into heaven for good works in the first place, because no one is good enough to make it. All blasphemy can be forgiven except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is refusing to accept God's gift of grace as the only way to enter heaven when the Spirit is calling on your soul to receive Christ and you shut out that voice.

 

That my friend is what damns you.

[quankanne]

…refusing to accept God's gift of grace … when the Spirit is calling on your soul … and you shut out that voice

 

which is my take on things, including when you profess God with your lips, but not with your heart. I think people look at faith in action as a way of meriting heaven, but I see it differently: I see it as those folks so moved by the Spirit that they proclaim their belief by their sincere acts of love toward others; it is the fruit of the Spirit, not some celestial sucking up.

 

to be honest, I cannot tell you what damns you, because I'm not Him … I might be able to conjecture, but that conjecture would be based on my limited understanding. As in, you are responsible for your actions all your mortal life, and if you are in a state of grace – i.e., a give and take relationship with God – you merit heaven (the free will thing). Yes, Jesus took up your sins on the cross and redeemed you, but you've got to claim that redemption.

 

Does a mere human being like myself have the power to offend the creator of this universe with my words?

 

I say yes, because a relationship with Him is much like a relationship we have with others: We can hurt by our words, our intentions and our actions, and that hurt is multiplied when it's directed at someone who truly loves us. As believers, we want our relationships with God to be something strong and something that is as pure as we can make it even as we understand that he loves us so much that he forgives when we seek his forgiveness.

[Angel291]

Remember, a thought is not a sin unless you embrace the thought.

 

For example, sometimes a very mean thought may enter someones mind. Maybe they think they would like to punch someone who they cannot stand. The thought is sort of like a visitor that has knocked on someones door and when the door was opened, the visitor got nasty.

 

Well, if you close the door on the thought it is not a sin. If you let it in, however, and make it your friend by entertaining it then it does become a sin. So you could have the worst thoughts in the world entering your mind all day long but as long as you pushed every last one of them away and did not give in to them, you would be safe from sin.

 

According to Saint Thomas Aquinas and the Summa Theologica, Q. 13, A. 2, blasphemy is always a mortal sin. Aquinas calls it more grave than murder in Q. 13, A. 3. (A mortal sin can be forgiven if one repents properly through the act of confession.)

 

I think you can find the reason for this in the New Testament when Jesus says, in Matthew 5:21, "whoever kills is liable to judgement, but I say to you whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement, and whoever says 'Raqa' will be answerable to the Sanhedrin."

 

Jesus expressed that his kingdom was an interior kingdom and often stresses that what one thinks in ones heart has as much impact as what he does with his body. Thus Jesus says "whoever looks at a woman with lust has all ready sinned with her in his heart."

 

Anger and hatred in the heart are as deadly to the soul as murdering someone because anger and hatred are a peversion of mans nature, which was created in the image and likeness of God and is thus a nature of love and peace. Because sin entered the flesh, this peverse law is in mans body no matter what we do, but to give in to mortal sin is to deaden oneself from the life of Grace.

 

Thus Aquinas seems to find blaspheming God worse than murder because murder is the slaying of a person first in ones heart, and the slaying of oneself in the process. But to be angry with God is to slay the creator. God is love, and the only thing that unites is love. Thus Julian of Norwich, a medieval mystic said that to be safe one must exist "in the unity of love with ones fellow men, for it is in this unity that the life of those who will be saved exists."

 

To hate and be angry, with a human being or with God, is to break love, which is to break unity, which is to cut oneself off from the life of the saved whose salvation consists in their unity of love.

 

It is to slay yourself.

 

Whew!

[john1776]

I think I'm headed for hell if it does exist because I just don't like God. I don't have time for spiritual matters such as reading the bible or praying or even going to church. I actually find the bible to be a boring book to read especially the old testament books.

 

I just can't stand to be around religious people for very long or anyone who wants to talk to me about Jesus or the gospel. I've lost alot of respect for preachers in america. I don't like or respect billy graham.

[Angel291]

First of all, despair is one of the greatest tricks of the devil. If he can get you to despair, he will! You do not know what will happen in your life, but one thing you can be certain of is that God is infinite goodness.

 

My advice to you is to pray this prayer, "God, I feel inside all of these negative things but I do not want to feel them because I want to love you, and if I do want to feel them and I don't want to love you then please give me the grace to not want to feel them and to want to love you. God, give me the grace to love you with all of my heart. Drag me to heaven if you have to, I give you permission to do so. God, change my heart and let me love You and and your message with all of my heart."

 

Say a prayer like that every day, when you wake up and when you fall asleep. Say it with all of your heart, even if you do not feel it or if you feel everything contrary to it inside of you. Just try your best. (Remember, our prayer is most pleasing to God when we think it is least pleasing! So do not worry if you feel anything. Just give it your best.)

 

Try that for a few months. Just ask and keep asking no matter what you feel. Your human so don't be hard on yourself. There were lots of men and women who felt a great repugnance for the religious life and yet who went at it anyways, forcing themselves against their repugnance. A lot of these men and women became very holy and reached heaven. Our feelings and natural inclinations have nothing to do with it. It is our will that counts. If we feel that we dislike God or that we dislike partaking in religious events but if we do it anyways and ask God for the grace to help us, we achieve more merit in God's eyes than if we did it all because we enjoyed it and found it pleasing!

 

Your trials and tribulations, interior and exterior, are your means to heaven. So grab ahold of them and use them. They are graces in disguise.

[RecordProducer]

Would I still go to heaven?

No. Nor will you go to hell. Neither exists. You will fall asleep and worms will eat you. If you're skinny, you won't be a lot of food.

 

Does a mere human being like myself have the power to offend the creator of this universe with my words?

Who wrote the bible? People, not god. Who made up all the stories that don't make sense? People. Who killed the scientists who claimed that the earth was round? People - in the name of god. Who preached that the mob should obey the masters? People who had interest in that.

 

People have also done many good deeds in the name of god. Faith gives you strength, comfort, will power, love, and relief. But why do you have to believe in what others taught you?

 

Imagine that you were born on a deserted island and your mother died. Would you believe in god? You would certainly notice the power of nature and connection between happenings. You would notice that some things are beyond your power and good or bad may unexpectedly happen, just like you may contribute to it. But where would you get the idea of god?

 

The idea of "god: holds people in one pile, ready to obey, and follow the leaders. Look at Allah and you'll see what I mean.

 

Well the other religions are just a smaller, less obvious, less aggressive, and less powerful form of the Islamic religion. But in their root they are all the same.

[mishy]

Well if you keep swallowing bleach like you have been you will find out sooner than you think.

[EnigmaXOXO]

I just can't stand to be around religious people for very long or anyone who wants to talk to me about Jesus or the gospel. I've lost alot of respect for preachers in america. I don't like or respect billy graham.

 

Then it sounds as if you've lost respect for people. That's why I believe it's best not to place too much faith in humans or rely on them too much. Blasphemy (in my opinion) is a combination of both word and action … when you commit human acts of atrocity, greed and deception in God's name. When your ego is such that you claim to be acting in God's behalf as if some Devine force has exclusively graced you with it's appointment. And worst of all, those poor confused souls who hide behind their religion rather than lean on it.

 

I'm humble enough to accept that my interpretation of blasphemy may be totally wrong … but I don't think your God (whatever that may be to you) is responsible for all the ugliness you see in the world. PEOPLE are because they are flawed. And that's why I believe that no human being will ever be perfect enough to play God's representative no matter how much they may want the job. Even with the best of intentions, humans tend to poison every good thing they touch.

 

Don't be angry at what you can't see or understand … instead, place blame where it belongs and feel pity for all our human imperfections rather than hatred.

[SoCalCatman72]

I guess this is a question directed to all the evangelical christians out there. What is the likelihood that I will go to heaven if I curse God in anger just 2 seconds before my death? What if I verbally abuse Him and call Him filthy names like jerk or jackass just before I die? Would I still go to heaven? My other question is that is it really a sin to call God these kind of names? Does a mere human being like myself have the power to offend the creator of this universe with my words?

 

Did I hear someone calling me?

 

John, I highly suggest you read the book of Romans, especially chapters 6 & 7. IMO, what Paul is saying is that as a Christian the blood of Christ flows over us constantly, INSTANTLY providing forgiveness for our sins. This is one of the key differences between Christianity and Jewish Old Testament Law. Old Testament required a process for forgiveness of sins (burnt offerings, fasting, atonement at the Tabernacle of the Covenant, etc.).

 

IMHO, what this means is that we are constantly being forgiven. When I lust, I'm forgiven. When I give in to sloth, I'm forgiven, and yes, I believe even if we were to curse God's name, we are immediately forgiven. Even in the Old Testament, Job finally cursed God's name because God and Satan had a little running bet going as to how faithful Job was. The end result is that Job was forgiven and all his things restored to him.

 

You as a mere human being do not have the ability to offend God with your words. If that were the case, then I think the world population would be a whole lot smaller. However as a child of God, you have the ability to hurt God with your words.

 

If you had a child that you loved with all of your heart, and in a fit of pique, he turned to you and told you that he hated you, that you were an awful father, that he wished you never existed, would that offend you? Possibly, but I think that it would hurt you so much more that you wouldn't even stop to think about whether or not you were offended.

 

As to the statment some made about blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Mouthing off to God, and blespheming the Holy Spirit are two entirely separate things. Many people say angry words to God all the time. Blasphemy IMO would be making a statement to the effect that the Holy Spirit is not of God and all the things His Kingdom entails.

 

Hope this helps.

[SoCalCatman72]

I just can't stand to be around religious people for very long or anyone who wants to talk to me about Jesus or the gospel. I've lost alot of respect for preachers in america. I don't like or respect billy graham.

 

You know, I feel the same way .

 

To me, Christianity is a lifestyle, not words that come out of your mouth. I do my best to live a life that reflects that. Sure I intertwine God into my daily life and conversations, because I have a personal relationship with Him. If you were married to a wife you loved and were amazed by, wouldn't you constantly refer to her and incorporate memories and thoughts of her into your daily life.

 

I don't go around preaching, or trying to convert people out of the blue, but if you want to talk to me about God, I am more than happy to share my opinions. IMO, it's more important to live a life that reflects Christian faith than to talk about it. So live your life as a lamp on a hill, a bright shining beacon of hope for everyone out there.

[quankanne]

actually, SoCal, I want to know more about the cat ... (s)he looks rather lovable ...

 

Many people say angry words to God all the time.

 

yep. Same as like a relationship with humans. You get upset or angry, and in that fit of pique, you say harsh things. But when love is part of that relationship, you seek to restore the balance and ask for understanding or forgivess. I don't imagine how we relate to God any differently than we do to each other, except for the adoration thing.

[john1776]

First of all, despair is one of the greatest tricks of the devil. If he can get you to despair, he will! You do not know what will happen in your life, but one thing you can be certain of is that God is infinite goodness.

 

My advice to you is to pray this prayer, "God, I feel inside all of these negative things but I do not want to feel them because I want to love you, and if I do want to feel them and I don't want to love you then please give me the grace to not want to feel them and to want to love you. God, give me the grace to love you with all of my heart. Drag me to heaven if you have to, I give you permission to do so. God, change my heart and let me love You and and your message with all of my heart."

 

Say a prayer like that every day, when you wake up and when you fall asleep. Say it with all of your heart, even if you do not feel it or if you feel everything contrary to it inside of you. Just try your best. (Remember, our prayer is most pleasing to God when we think it is least pleasing! So do not worry if you feel anything. Just give it your best.)

 

Try that for a few months. Just ask and keep asking no matter what you feel. Your human so don't be hard on yourself. There were lots of men and women who felt a great repugnance for the religious life and yet who went at it anyways, forcing themselves against their repugnance. A lot of these men and women became very holy and reached heaven. Our feelings and natural inclinations have nothing to do with it. It is our will that counts. If we feel that we dislike God or that we dislike partaking in religious events but if we do it anyways and ask God for the grace to help us, we achieve more merit in God's eyes than if we did it all because we enjoyed it and found it pleasing!

 

Your trials and tribulations, interior and exterior, are your means to heaven. So grab ahold of them and use them. They are graces in disguise.

 

 

Sorry but I don't have time for formulas or prayers or any kind of spiritual exercises like that. All I asked about was about the likelihood that I would go to heaven if I have negative feelings towards God. That's all. I think I got a satsifactory answer from some of the other posters thank you. I didn't ask for advice on what formulas or prayers I could use to combat it.

 

I honestly don't want anything to do with God or His people. Most of them make me sick. I like my lifestyle the way it is and I'm happy with myself. I have no desire to conform to any religion. Maybe God won't hold it against me on judgement day.

 

Alot of ministers don't have time for people like me because I ask too many complex questions. I get too philosophical for them. When it becomes obvious that I've backed them into a corner they ask me to leave their church office.

[john1776]

Then it sounds as if you've lost respect for people. That's why I believe it's best not to place too much faith in humans or rely on them too much. Blasphemy (in my opinion) is a combination of both word and action … when you commit human acts of atrocity, greed and deception in God's name. When your ego is such that you claim to be acting in God's behalf as if some Devine force has exclusively graced you with it's appointment. And worst of all, those poor confused souls who hide behind their religion rather than lean on it.

 

I'm humble enough to accept that my interpretation of blasphemy may be totally wrong … but I don't think your God (whatever that may be to you) is responsible for all the ugliness you see in the world. PEOPLE are because they are flawed. And that's why I believe that no human being will ever be perfect enough to play God's representative no matter how much they may want the job. Even with the best of intentions, humans tend to poison every good thing they touch.

 

Don't be angry at what you can't see or understand … instead, place blame where it belongs and feel pity for all our human imperfections rather than hatred.

 

 

Not true. I have alot of respect for agnostics and atheists and even those christians who don't tell me I'm going to hell.

[quankanne]

not sure why you find it important to know this stuff if you don't believe in the first place. Are you trying to cover all bases so that you can claim the big prize because you refuse to miss out on it, despite the fact that you don't acknowledge its existence?

 

no condemnation here, just curious as to why it matters when you don't believe ...

[SoCalCatman72]

I honestly don't want anything to do with God or His people. Most of them make me sick. I like my lifestyle the way it is and I'm happy with myself. I have no desire to conform to any religion. Maybe God won't hold it against me on judgement day.

 

Alot of ministers don't have time for people like me because I ask too many complex questions. I get too philosophical for them. When it becomes obvious that I've backed them into a corner they ask me to leave their church office.

 

John, I've read some of your other posts, and it's obvious that you are hurting deeply. As such, I hurt for you because I know what it's like to hurt so much that life doesn't seem worth the struggle.

 

I'm concerned about your statements simply because you seem to want to be reassured that you are ok in God's eyes, but want nothing to do with Him or His people. That's like saying I want the nourishment of food, but I want nothing to do with putting it into my body. It just doesn't make sense. As far as His people, we aren't all bad. Yeah there is the small percentage that makes us look bad, but then again there is always a fringe of every group that makes the whole look bad, look at policemen and attorneys for some worldly examples.

 

As far as clergy not having time for people like you, because you ask too many complex questions, well I'm going to go out on a limb here and state that these clergy will always have time for you, but will unequivocably (sp?) NOT have time for someone who is bound and determined to point out how wrong they are or make a "discussion" into a spiritual attack. No one likes talking to a hostile brick wall, and from your statements, it sounds like that's how you act. I've counseled many foster children from broken homes, with emotional disorders, and will tell you there is a big difference between actively seeking God, and simply finding someone to make an argument out of it, and an experienced counselor will know within about 10 minutes what they are dealing with. To me your approach seems like the latter. Seeking God take desire, determination and effort, but most importantly it take HUMILITY and FAITH.

 

My intentions are not to be harsh, I know you are hurting and as such probably lashing out against the world, God, society and everything else nearby, but merely to point out some idosyncracies (sp?) in your statements.

[bluetuesday]

I guess this is a question directed to all the evangelical christians out there. What is the likelihood that I will go to heaven if I curse God in anger just 2 seconds before my death? What if I verbally abuse Him and call Him filthy names like jerk or jackass just before I die? Would I still go to heaven? My other question is that is it really a sin to call God these kind of names? Does a mere human being like myself have the power to offend the creator of this universe with my words?

 

the pure, formless being that is god the creator cannot be offended. god is above such things, as are any beings in heaven. offence is something humans choose because we are essentially ego-driven, prideful people. god is not those things and therefore impervious to our insults.

 

what you think is hurting god is, in fact, only hurting yourself because it is preventing you from learning that you are inseperable from god. you have the free will to keep lying to yourself, but you'll probably be on earth in various guises for the next 10,000 years repeating the same mistakes unless you learn the lesson which allows you to get off the merry-go-round.

 

whether you ascend into heaven or not depends on your state of consciousness. you need to have transcended the idea that you are separated from god. which means you need to have transcended the idea that hurting god is possible. so if you think that god can be called names and be hurt by them it's a pretty good indication you won't be going to heaven when you die, because you're not there now, while you live.

 

heaven is not somewhere you win entrance to while others are turned away. it's somewhere you ARE, already. or not.

[Nicholas]

The idea of giving God a vengeful, human personality and giving the Devil a deceitful, lust-for-souls kinda persona is alarmingly juvenile.

[Guest]

I guess this is a question directed to all the evangelical christians out there. What is the likelihood that I will go to heaven if I curse God in anger just 2 seconds before my death? What if I verbally abuse Him and call Him filthy names like jerk or jackass just before I die? Would I still go to heaven? My other question is that is it really a sin to call God these kind of names? Does a mere human being like myself have the power to offend the creator of this universe with my words?

 

A hardened heart is one that rejects God, and probably wouldn't want to be near him.

 

Cursing God would be sacrilege, and you would still be required to answer for it. If you think you can fool God, how long do you think you can fool him? Who knows? You might get a fool's reward.