#775 Pretending to Blaspheme God
March 20, 2022Hi Dr. Craig,
My question is about blasphemy, and how to draw a distinction between the words themselves, and the intention. Is the phrase “GD” inherently sinful if it is simply uttered, or does the person saying it have to have a genuine intention behind it to make it sinful. This is an important question for because I am an actor. “Omg” is a very common expression in scripts. My conscience tells me not to say it, even though they’re not my words, but a charecter´s. I often will talk to directors about removing these phrases. Am I right in this, or is saying these phrases somehow ok, if it is not genuinely coming from me. Do you think this is a hill to die on? I often fear that I will lose roles, or reputation because of this conviction. Is my conscious misinformed, or should I endure the persecution’s that come from it? Thank you for your time.
Evan
United States
Dr. craig’s response
A
This is a question which every Christian actor needs to answer! My drama coach in college gave the best advice I’ve heard on this question. He pointed out that as an actor in a play (or film) one can pretend to commit various sins, such as murder or adultery or theft, without being guilty of actually committing these sins. But, he pointed out, blasphemy is different. God’s name is sacred and must not be used in vain. But one who merely pretends to blaspheme by saying, “Omg” in a play or film is thereby using the Lord’s name in vain. He is uttering God’s name without giving it due reverence. So regardless of his mental state such an actor does blaspheme God’s name.
So I’d encourage you to work with the script writers or directors to make such changes to the script as are necessary. You may even want to talk to a lawyer about this. Courts have ruled that employers cannot force you to use speech that violates your religious beliefs (think of the case of the Colorado baker who refused to put a message endorsing homosexual marriage on a wedding cake). You have good constitutional grounds concerning your free speech rights and freedom of religion to resist being coerced to say things contrary to your religious beliefs. Of course, you don’t want to earn a reputation of being hard to work with. But in the end you do need to stick to your principles even if it costs you.
- William Lane Craig