Blasphemy

Brooklyn Museum - The Execution of Mansur Hallaj From the Warren Hastings Album

Blasphemy is the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for a deity, sacred objects, or towards something considered sacred or inviolable. Some religions consider blasphemy to be a religious crime. As of the 21st century, accusations of blasphemy have led to arrests and violence in some countries, while in others, it is a subject of debate in the context of freedom of speech.

Definition and Etymology

The term "blasphemy" originates from the Greek word blasphēmia, meaning "evil speaking". It has been used in English since the 14th century to denote verbal offenses against the sanctity of the divine. In a broader sense, blasphemy can refer to any act of speaking or acting in a way that shows disrespect towards religious or holy entities.

Religious Perspectives

Christianity

In Christianity, blasphemy has historically been considered a serious sin, particularly blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which is mentioned in the Gospel of Mark 3:29 as an unforgivable sin. The Catholic Church and many Protestant denominations view blasphemy as a violation of the commandments and an offense against the honor of God.

Islam

In Islam, blasphemy includes any form of cursing, questioning or annoying Allah, Muhammad, or anything considered sacred in Islam. Laws against blasphemy in some Muslim-majority countries can carry severe penalties, including death.

Judaism

In Judaism, blasphemy is considered to be an act of cursing the name of God. The Torah specifies blasphemy as a capital offense, but the strict criteria for conviction and punishment have made actual execution for blasphemy very rare in Jewish history.

Hinduism

Hinduism does not have a concept of blasphemy in the same way as Abrahamic religions. However, disrespect towards religious symbols or deities can be met with social disapproval or legal action in some Hindu-majority countries.

Legal Aspects

Blasphemy laws vary significantly around the world, with some countries imposing strict penalties for violations, while others have no blasphemy laws at all. In many parts of the world, blasphemy laws are a source of controversy, as they can conflict with principles of freedom of expression and human rights.

International Law

There is no international law that directly addresses blasphemy, but issues related to freedom of religion and expression are covered under various international human rights instruments. The United Nations has debated the concept of defamation of religions as a human rights violation, but consensus on this issue has been difficult to achieve.

Controversies and Criticism

Blasphemy laws have been criticized for suppressing freedom of speech and being used to target political and religious minorities. Critics argue that such laws can be used to justify censorship, persecution, and even violence against dissenters. The enforcement of blasphemy laws in some countries has led to international incidents and widespread condemnation from human rights organizations.

See Also

• Freedom of speech
• Religious intolerance
• Censorship
• Apostasy