Rational Response Squad
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The Rational Response Squad, also known by the abbreviation RRS, is a group of atheists who have taken on the mission of irreverently confronting irrationalism. The Rational Response Squad, along with the filmmaker Brian Flemming, made headlines in December 2006/January 2007 with their Blasphemy Challenge[1].
The Blasphemy Challenge
The Blasphemy Challenge[2] is an internet-based atheism project started in December of 2006. The challenge asks atheists to submit videos to the website YouTube, in which they record themselves blaspheming the Holy Spirit[3]. According to a literal interpretation of the Bible, this action is considered an unforgivable sin[4]. Thus, users who took the challenge placed themselves at a point of no return to prove that they truly did not believe in the biblical God and would "accept the consequences" if God did exist when they died. The first 1001 users who took the challenge received a DVD of Flemming's documentary film The God Who Wasn't There[5]. Publicly known persons such as the Illusionist Penn Jillette[6] of Penn & Teller and Raël, founder of the Raëlian Church, participated in the project[7].
Response from Christian groups
Several Christian groups have responded to the Challenge with the "Challenge Blasphemy" and the "Praise the Lord Challenge". These projects are designed to directly counter the Blasphemy Challenge by encouraging individuals to upload videos of themselves praising Jesus Christ.[8]
References
- ^ The Rational Response Squad official site accessed on february 18 2007
- ^ Beliefwatch: Blasphemy on Newsweek accessed at february 18 2007
- ^ Atheists challenge the religious right on The Christian Science Monitor accessed at february 18 2007
- ^ The Blasphemy Challenge Host of Internet Challenge Says God 'Most Likely Doesn't Exist' on ABC News accessed on february 18 2007
- ^ The Blasphemy Challenge Official site accessed on february 18 2007
- ^ Blasphemy Redux on Culture and Media Institute accessed on february 18 2007
- ^ Rael takes the Blasphemy Challenge on YouTube accessed at february 18 2007
- ^ Christian Youth Challenge YouTube Blasphemy on the Christian Post accesed at february 18 2007