I was so disappointed

The bloke in the original post was blaspheming because, if he wasn't he would have simply said shite me! oh God, please save me.

Bags you believe there is no God. Fine. But does that really matter to you? Not sure how it can tbh. But a person's religious belief is important to them. Because it is something they - positively - believe in. So, can't you respect that, and not keep going over old ground.

Why do you always feel the need to argue so vehemently that there is no God? I'm genuinely puzzled.

Surely, it isn't really up to the rest of us to decide whether someone else should feel hurt or offended. Either you are, or you aren't.

No one has asked Gordon about this. Are we just assuming that he isn't religious in any way or could it be that he uttered those words because he 'is'. In which case, I it would[I think] be ok?

I didn't see the programme but it seems someone said a few words when confronted with a frightening situation.

I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt anyone.

Just as I'm sure, jings, a Christian, didn't mean to blaspheme when she said "Oh, God!" in her last post.

There's no need for anyone to be so easily offended.

That's very interesting Elegran I think you've probably 'nailed it' .

I should have added - they have no need to feel hurt on God's behalf. He can take care of himself.

If they resent what was said, it is that - resentment, not hurt.

I don't think God's feelings are hurt by someone repeating a quote in His book about His son when they are inches from an animal which could devour them at any moment.

If He did create all things - including the man who reacted in awe and terror - then he knows what made that the first thing that came out of his mouth. It was not blasphemy, it was sheer shock and amazement. The designer of the frail organism that was confronted with the top predator (designed in the same workshop) would know the effect its fearful symmetry would have.

If He does exist - then he is far bigger and stronger and has too much understanding of everything to be hurt by those few words.

If God does not exist, then blasphemy does not exist. Those who believe that He does exist choose to follow the rules that they attribute to Him. That is their prerogative.

Of course feelings do get hurt Jane - well said. How thoughtless to say that someone is simply 'playing the hurt feeling card.

Finally got to see the first part of the programme last night. When he made that 'offensive' comment he was sat inches away from an animal that could have killed him there and then..he wasn't just eulogiisng about a beautiful sunset or something like that. I then had to re watch the second programme as I was so transfixed by the whole thing. It was an incredible programme but easy to forget how dangerous these animals are. there was a fashion a few years back for people to buy wolf/dog hybrids as pets until it was realised how dangerous they were. The man really was risking his life to make this prgramme.

Feelings DO hurt. People Do get upset at what others say. Respecting this is an important part of life in all it's aspects. Do you plan to keep going on about your views ad infinitum? There's free speech and just plain rudeness. The trick is to know the difference.

You mistake, lily, when you say it means nothing to me. Obviously how blasphemy is defined and dealt with means a lot to me or I wouldn,t be arguing on this thread as I have. Other people's feelings mean something to me as well, but I am not going to avoid discussing an issue that I think is important in order to avoid upsetting someone's feelings. I've said before that my parents were religious. We had discussions similar to this at home when I was growing up. No-one got upset or complained that their feelings were hurt, they just argued their case, disagreed in a civilised way, and got on with their lives.

Playing the hurt feelings card is emotional blackmail and I don't believe in giving in to crap like that. It is a shame if feelings really are hurt, but that is not my fault. I'm just saying what I think and I don't see why I shouldn't. I'm not setting out to hurt feelings. I'm just setting out my views. No-one has to like my views.

What if I said it hurt my feelings that you disagree with nearly everything I have to say about religion and spirituality? Would it stop you saying your piece? I doubt it. Nor would I expect it. There is nothing intrinsically offensive about my views however much you disagree. They are just views you don't like, just as I don't like some people's 'victim' views about blasphemy. Blasphemy hurts no-one; it may offend some people's their sense of proper, but that's not the same.

Besides, OP-man didn't blaspheme.

By Jove! Jingle Better watch it!

Are you sure? I thought you meant Jupiter ?

I meant Mithras there.

Whoops!

Oh God! I don't read stuff like that Elegran.

I am happy to debate these questions on another thread sometime, but not on this one concerning blasphemy.
Other posters are of course free to do what they choose.

If, according to doctrine, those who do not claim to love God are bound for Hell, then loving their fellow men would not save them.

But the angel got it right -

Matthew 25 37
"Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?

'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?

'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?

"The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.' "

The non-religious are as likely to do these things as those who profess to love the Lord.

Jings biblia.com/books/esv/Heb8.1

i don't know what the New Covenant is. And if that Ben whatsisname is who I think he is, the angel saved him because he loved his fellow man. At least that is how I have always read it.

I have kept out of this thread, because I know that I will have no effect on soontobe's convictions. That is neither insulting her nor praising her, but because it is obvious, and I am sure it will please her.

But I do think that the image of God which lies behind her faith is that of the God of the Old Testament, jealous of His power and demanding total obedience, imperious as a tyrant dictator, destroying whole cities for the wickedness of some of the inhabitants, sending thunder and lightning bolts at those who have the hubris to dare to use the brains that He (presumably, if he created them in His own image) gave them to examine the evidence and find out just what lies behind the wonders of the universe, and inside the labyrinths of the human mind.

What happened to the New Covenant? And would Abou Ben Adhem be utterly destroyed because his name is on the list of those who love their fellow man, not those who love God?

The rules don't always cover everything that comes up in modern life. I suppose that's why we have brains, and, hopefully, empathy.

People need human protection, bags. I'm astonished that you and others refuse to admit the need to be careful of other's feelings in this one area, just because it means nothing to you!

The bible says that the two encompass the Ten.

I am trying to keep off this thread as much as possible so I shall go back to my lurking.