Challenge?

I recently heard of a site, and browsed it briefly. While reluctant, I think it's unfair not to post the link: http://www.blasphemychallenge.com/ It's a sad case of people thinking their proving a point. Somehow, I can't even think of it in anger, just a faint trace of sadness. This is a site designed specifically to defy God, as one 'member' puts it, "daring God to send me to hell."

Unfortunately it demonstrates a basic ignorance of theology on two points. The first is blasphemy. Webster's online dictionary defines blasphemy as 1 a : the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God b : the act of claiming the attributes of deity2 : irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable As the gospel means it, I believe blasphemy is in itself an ironic thing, because in blaspheming the holy spirit you are denying it forever in your life. Not some temporary statement online, but forever keeping it from your life. Which, basically means, not accepting salvation. That's my view anyway.

Incidentally the site claims that Christians are trying to redefine blasphemy thanks to it. A rather uninformed response, as I read a definition similar to what I stated in a book (which title I can't remember) written in 80s, before such a site existed.

The other ignorance is that God sends them to hell. Okay, some may think I'm arguing semantics here, but I think intention really matters. Anyway, what I mean is, we send ourselves to hell. Everyone of us has sinned. Therefore we are marred, sin itself derives from the idea of 'falling short'. What do we fall short of? Well, God. If God is, if He created a world, then He is either perfect or flawed. If he is flawed, he is not deserving of reverence, his afterlife of 'paradise' will be flawed, and therefore who cares? If He is perfect, then those that are flawed can not be a part of what He is, to do so would mar his perfection. So he created a very simple way of casting off our sins by making a simple choice to trust in His Son. Not very hard. Those who don't, well, "The wages of sin is Death." I capitalize death because I mean eternal death, eternal separation from God.

My most basic reaction is sadness, as I said before, and a strong desire to pray. And I have been, and will continue to do so. I also urge all of you who read this to pray for those people that somehow God might touch their hearts.

Abortion

Lately I read one of the saddest things I think I have ever laid eyes upon. Recently in the Moscow Times there was a little blurb about the state Duma proposing a law to limit/end advertising for abortions. Okay, not much, I personally suport the idea, but whatever. Next, though, comes a blurb about statistics, stating that there are 2.8 abortions for every birth. I nearly cried.

That's right, 3 out of every 4 pregnancies end in death. Death, finality, destruction of the life inside of it. And 3 out of 4 can not nearly account for supposed 'life of the mother' nor rape/incest cases. This is just a tragedy of wanting to live a so called 'planne lifestyle.' What sort of life is that? A life built not upon planning, but on being able to relegate indulgement to a simple thing as 'choice' and a 'simple medical procedure.' And this is the country trying to push births, because they are losing several thousand in population count every year.

Of course, the whole issue bothers me a lot. I'm just to sad about the idea of life being ended with out a chance of life. What if a life aborted could have lead to some great discovery, if it was allowed to lead its life. Of course the counter argument is that it oculd have been the next hitler. But the over all point is there was never given any choice but that of a group of people to selfish to live up to the consequences of their actions.

Prayer is definitely called for here.