Gareth Cliff's response

2007-12-04 18:47

Gerda

I'm going to explain this once and I want you to pay attention please:

I said "Blasphemy should not be a crime." "If God is great, why would he be so easily offended by what a mortal man says?" "If God has such an ego, then he must be petty." That is a reasonable supposition, not a controversial opinion. I wasn't saying GOD IS PETTY. You must listen carefully before you jump to the conclusion that I am out to offend you or destroy what your religion means to you. I don't have any desire to mess with what you or the Muslims who are about to give that poor woman lashes for naming a teddy bear Mohammed believe. Just don't expect me to believe it too.

Let me ask you something: Don't you think it's cheeky of you to think you should jump to God's defence? If someone is offensive or blasphemous, who are you to make yourself God's advocate? Surely that is deeply disrespectful. If I am a wicked person who blasphemes and sins (and I think I am), then God will deal with me, right? You don't need to help him. I'm sure you both have better things to do than waste time protecting the creator's ego.

Either way, I wish you well. I bear no ill feeling about this. I will never agree with you just as you find my lack of belief so distasteful. The difference is that I concern myself with people, and try to be a good and hopefully moral person. I don't need blessings or permissions or prayers. I'm a happy guy. If I end up in heaven or hell, that's too bad. If, however there is no God, then at least I haven't wasted my Sunday mornings.

I'm really glad you listen to the show. I hope that, without taking offence, you can continue to enjoy it and discussions like this.

Remember, offence is never given, it's taken.

G

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