What is considered blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

I was originally raised with many religions, and never had a full understanding of any of them.
I am now studying Christianity. I am not sure if maybe without knowledge of what it was that I may have committed blasphemy. I am trying to discover what the meaning of this is, and what the bible is talking about committing blasphemy that is unable to be forgiven.
Can anyone help me with this?

 

Folks here will give different answers, the most common being that "blasphemy" means to willfullly ignore God.

Most will agree that this verse does not refer to a verbal statement made in ignorance or frustration.

IMO, it's just another statement in the Bible that has been oft-qouted to frighten and intimidate, whatever meaning is ascribed to it.

 

can you elaborate a little more on willfuly ignore God.
I have done many things growing up and because of all the religious backgrounds and contradictions I grew up with, I decided long ago that I believed in God, just not any of the formal religions. However, in anger I have said that I did not believe. Thre have also been times when I was concerned there was no God and that it was a way to help control people into behaving in a way acceptable to society. I usually give that up instantly, for I feel that there is a God, and that we did not appear out of no where with no purpose. So, I have always believed, just been tempted to disbelieve because of all the contradicting religions. Lately, I have been searching for similarities instead of differences to see the bigger picture of the truth instead of looking for ways to disprove.

 

In a common Christian sense, to have heard the truth and failed to act on it; i.e., to have heard about Christ and not embraced Christianity or become "saved".

Once again, I don't personally advocate this viewpoint...I consider the "unfogiveable sin" passage just another Biblical verse that evangelical Christians use to frighten people and to gain or maintain control over them.

IMO, you're on the right path in being an independent and inquiring thinker, an honest seeker.

Continue to educate yourself about all aspects of religion and spirituality...the truth will reveal itself.

Don't beat up on yourself for becoming angry and frustrated...God doesn't have you under a microscope, looking for little flaws. And just walk away from those, Christian and any others, who aggressively push "absolute truth"...people who behave in this way are serving their own egos, not God.

 

That does seem to be (basically) the common Christian understanding and it would be the 'common sense' understanding when held up against the entirety of Christs teachings.

To make a long story short; As the Holy Spirit is the very one who supplies us conviction, repentance, forgiveness and new life - then the only way you could be unforgiven is if you rejected that Holy Spirit.

You dont 'advocate' this passage because you think someone, somewhere is abusing this passage?

I dont know what kind of horrific evil Churches you people attend or study but in the real world, Pastors across denominations (ESPECIALLY EVANGELICAL) are constantly REASSURING frightened parishioners that this passage does not (could not) apply to anyone who is concerned enough to even ask about it in the first place.

Thats good advice for all of us, including you.

So you seem to have an absolute truth here - that God does NOT have anyone under a microscope or looks for 'little flaws'.
Thats interesting.
Where did you get this from?

You are pushing for (what you believe) are some 'absolute truths' but I think what we really want to do is look for the absolute truth.
In this case,
Christians are looking for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to them.

 

That's a good elaboration for osutuffy, who started the thread.

Yes, I have personally heard it abused by aggressive prosetylizers against vulnerable people who expressed doubt...and, if it happened in the past, it's sure to be happening again.

Who's "you people"?

I don't attend church, but I have come across some Christians who routinely emphasized the horrible aspects of that faith.

If that's what these pastors are actually doing, God bless them.

I humbly agree.

You could say that in a Christian sense I'm coming from the same place as the evangelical pastors you just mentioned...emphasizing the merciful aspect of God over the judgmental.

I'm also coming from the Hindu concept of God as the eternal, indwelling witness in each person, who simply watches over them without interference or judgment, knowing that universal and impersonal spiritual law will automatically administer justice and reward as deserved.

I believe that there are absolute truths but don't push them in the sense of prosetylizing...if I was I would specifically advise this person to read Bhagavad-gita and hang out on the Hinduism board, in addition to getting a comprehensive perspective on Christianity.

I am cautioning a seeking person to educate herself broadly in a spiritual sense and to stay away from those who aggressively seek conversions...and I'm not referring to Christians only.

 

I posted a similar thread in another religious forum. Questioning on whether they are monotheist or poltheist and I kind of got attacked. I was arguing with them or attacking them, I just asked which is was because I am trying to get a perspective on what's out there in the way of religions, if there's anyone that feels the way I do. I have my own beliefs on things, but have been researching for further knowledge on my beliefs, kind of expand them.
I am leaning more towards panentheism (not pantheism), but still gathering facts. At this point looks like I have my own faith that is a blend of many others. I have also been researching Mysticism, but I still don't understand what they mean by mystic events. If they are aspiring to be like God or just to have the experiences to have the feeling of God with them, but I posted that question already, elsewhere.

Thanks for the oppinions

 

You're welcome. Hang around here and you'll get plenty more, no matter what forum you're on..

If you are interested in mysticism and eastern faiths, I'd suggest checking out the Hinduism and Buddhism forums.

 

Look,
An Evangelical Christian (or any brand) would not be wanting to convince anyone that they have commited the unforgiveable sin.
Just stop and think about that for a minute.. why would they?
What possible 'benefit' would be had?
Even if you have a manipulative and nefarious leader who wants power and control they are NOT going to assure someone they are 'unforgivable' and therefore have no reason to obey anything anymore.
Seriously people.

 

Maybe to keep the people who haven't made the unforgivable sin stay inline. And just keep the hopeless ones out of church.

 

I see what you are saying.
The only 'bad example' I can think of would be a certain type of charismatic christian types.
These are fascinated with 'prophecying' or 'casting out demons' and they might try and warn any critics that anyone who doubts their 'holy spirit' is in danger of commiting the 'unforgiveable sin'.

Realistically, this is a question that most Pastors have to deal with all the time.
Often a discouraged Christian will read about this 'Unforgivable Sin' and beleive they have committed it.
Frightened (by themselves) they will rush to the Pastor, who will be smiling.
The Pastor is smiling because he knows that anyone who is concerned must therefore still be responding to the Holy Spirit.

Im hoping Jatom will drop in on this topic because its important and probably one most Christians dont study up on.
Yet,
Its a good question and one that causes a lot of grief among those who dont comprehend it.

 

You jarred my memory....

That's the kind of environment where I encountered the misuse of the verse about unforgivable sin...it was in the 1970's when this kind of thing was really big and I went with my mother and her friend to one of these charismatic churches where they did indeed "prophecy", "speak in tongues", and "cast out demons". IMO, these people were really nuts and the whole experience helped shape my bad taste for organized Christianity.

 

To fedupAmerican, in regards to your question.

I think in that case it would depend. Since you said my Christ, it would imply that you and I have different Christ's. Kind of if a person of another faith said that about another's God, as if in you don't believe in the same Christ or God I do. Then you would not be committing blasphemy, rather than expressing your oppinion about what you consider to be my false Christ. However, if you do not believe in God or Christ, it still wouldn't be committing blasphemy, based on what has been posted here, since you do not know God. Now third scenario, you do believe in God and Christ, but are asking a legitimate question as when a child who knows they are not supposed to use the word Hell, but do so in asking about it. Then still wouldn't be blasphemy. Fourth scenario, you are saying it to shock the Christians. In which case, not shocked, however, if you believe in Hell and based on what I have read in the bible (no expert by any means) there is a verse that discusses going to Hell and it says something about going to Hell was not necessarily an eternal sentence. Can't remember the exact verse, but is came across as if it was as sentence possibly not forever, then you may do some time there. However, that is not for me to judge, now is it?

 

Oh yeah, these groups are bad for that.
I consider them to be one of the worst of the worst in the cause for Christ and you can always remind them of a Prophecy already made by Jesus Himself:
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

I dont want to get too controversial but if you really want my personal opinion (and I cant know) but,
I personaly believe SOME of these groups are doing nothing short of destroying Christianity.
They will boast "See... look how many people we got Saved!"
Oh sure.
I will say "Look how many you turned OFF of Christianity and how many will not return to a Church as they think YOUR brand of insanity is what awaits them"
I think the numbers would be staggering if we ever knew.

Believe me, I deal with some of these people and while some of them really and honestly are well-intended and have hearts of gold - others are just a menace to Christianity.

But yeah, you simply can question these 'holy spirit' occurances and this is not the same as with the Pharisees who attribute Jesus' miracles to Satan.
That example (where we find the Unforgiveable Sin passage) implies they KNEW BETTER.
Nobody is held up for sincerely believing something, even if they are wrong.
Jesus cannot possibly be speaking of 'honest disbelievers'.
So,
That again takes us back to the 'common' understanding.
Someone who does understand that Christ has made an attoning sacrifice and gives life - but - they then choose to reject it (knowingly).
In effect,
Its 'Unforgiveable' because the person chooses it to be.

But can I just say - I am definately open and interested in other understandings of this.
Jatom?

 

Yes, but the forgiven kind.
Why?
Because Jesus already took care of that for you, 2000 years ago when he said "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing"

and consider this applies to people who ripped, stripped, flogged, tortured, humiliated and nailed him to a cross.
Your problem is pretty small in comparison.

 

apparently the word "blasphemy" originates in the english language during the 13th century -
However modern critics of blasphemy laws have realised that in order to blaspheme there must be a god that one blasphemes against - so really
rather than bring the very existence of god into question - the legislators have merely widened the definition to include the defaming religion rather than simply god
http://www.etymonline.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blasphemy

So apparently it is ok to slag off god - but not the church - which works as
corruptly as the devil itself - since the church has already proven that god does not exist - but wants to preserve its status as a money spinner by lying about god I expect

 

You must live in a fairy tale universe. I've seen people ask you for proof that this happened time and time again yet you have yet to produce anything that would even resemble proof. Another Christian loudmouth that builds his mansion on a foundation of sand.

 

I live in the real world.
Reviewing historical documents, holding them to scrutiny and testing them until I find them reliable 'beyond a reasonable doubt'.

So far you havent done fuck all to give me a reasonable doubt never mind any 'proof' His claims are wrong.

But good work on quoting Jesus parable of the house on sand.
Im rebuilding my house on a rock.
The Rock.

Show me where its sand and then you can start opening your piehole to me about anything.
Thx

 

The only rock you seem to have is between your ears. Do yourself a favor. Get some rest. Take your meds. Chill.

Your whole creationist/evolutionist arguement is completely laughable and shows the mental state that you're in.

Seriously, see a doctor.

 

Don't worry about the negative posts. I just started coming here a few days ago and thought at first that the one was asking a legitimate question, but now I realise that they are just hoping to get a rise out of us.
As if saying we're stupid, or that we live in fairy tales is enough of an argument to convince us to have a light bulb go off and say they are right.
While the conversation has been mildly amusing, I am not going to let them deter me from asking questions or trying to learn more. We are letting them change topics entirely too much, I have done it enough. If they want to ask a question, let them start their own post, and maybe someone will see it as something other than a form of harrassment and answer them.

Anyway, does anyone know if the verse stating blasphemy is unforgivable was translated correctly? I know someone here posted that the word blasphemy showed up later in time (1300's) so anyone know what the Hebrew version states and how it would be best translated?
Now I know why a friend of mine was taking Hebrew. Wish I still had her number.