Christian Youth Challenge YouTube Blasphemy

More than a month ago, atheists began to blaspheme the existence of God on the popular YouTube network. Today, Christians are turning the tables and taking up the challenge to stand up to their faith in Jesus Christ publicly.

"I'd like to personally praise the Lord for all He does for me," said one young participant in the newly launched "Praise the Lord Challenge" on YouTube. "He's done so much for me and I've only known him a few years."

The Praise the Lord Challenge counters a $25,000 (£13,000) campaign launched before Christmas in which atheists, many of whom are young students, videotape their blasphemy, denying the existence of the Trinity. "The Blasphemy Challenge" is giving away 1,001 DVDs of the documentary "The God Who Wasn't There" to participants. The only price, the campaign states, is "your soul".

One respondent departed from religion six years ago, he said in his YouTube taping. His grandfather is a preacher and everyone he is related to is "very Christian". Yet ever since his "freedom from religion", he has not looked back, he said, as he renounced his belief in God.

With YouTube drawing millions of teens and young adults, the Blasphemy Challenge - launched initially as part of the Rational Response Squad's war on Christmas - is aimed at young people. The main target audience is the same for the campaign's opposing side.