Rational Response Squad
The Rational Response Squad, also known by the abbreviation RRS, is a group of atheists who have taken on the mission of irreverently confronting what they call 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", "Praise the Lord Challenge" and "Truth Challenge". These projects are designed to directly counter the Blasphemy Challenge by encouraging individuals to show their faith in Jesus Christ[8] by posting videos of themselves praising God, or praying by name for the members of the Rational Response Squad or users participating in the Blasphemy Chellenge. Some of these groups have claimed that the actions encouraged by the Rational Response Squad do not actually qualify as "unforgivable" under Christian theology.[citation needed]
Responses from Atheists
There have been mixed responses to the Rational Response Squad and the Blasphemy Challenge from the atheist community. The RRS has gained an internet following of supporters. At the same time, there have been several negative atheist responses to the RRS that have been popularized over the internet. [9] This mixed response has been discussed on several radio programs, including "Way of the Master" with Todd Friel, and "Faith and Freethought" with Richard Spencer.
Response from YouTube
No official statement has been given by YouTube concerning the Blasphemy Challenge. However, a minority of videos by users participating in the challenge have been deleted from YouTube for claimed copyright violations. [citation needed]
Controversies
Nick Gisburne, one of the most well known members of the Rational Response Squad had his accounts deleted on February 8 2007 for inappropriate content. YouTube later retracted their earlier statement as an accident and corrected the reason for the banning due to copyright infringement[10] on the grounds that he posted a video with copyrighted music. YouTube claiming to be required to take this path of actions under the DMCA[11], YouTube then permanently banned Nick Gisburne, under a 'three strikes' rule.[12] The video which lead to the ban was a slideshow of explicit quotations from the Skeptic's Annotated Qur'an. This led users to question the motivation behind YouTube's decision.[13].
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
- ^ "The Consolations", by Jim Lazarus, hosted a lengthy discussion where several atheists expressed criticisms toward the Rational Responders. Accessed March 3rd 2007
- ^ Nick Gisburne's personal homepage showing screen shots of correspondence with YouTube accessed at february 23 2007
- ^ A Note on Terminated Accounts on YouTube official blog accessed at february 22 2007
- ^ YouTube's Terms of Use policy, specifically section 5C on YouTube accessed at february 26 2007
- ^ Two Ways Not To Handle Free Speech on slashdot.org accessed at february 22 2007