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blasphemy

Blasphemy is insulting, contemptuous, or irreverent speech or behavior toward God or something considered sacred.

Finding examples is quite easy because most religious people are easily offended when one of their sacred cows is gored. On the other hand, what some find blasphemous, others find inoffensive.

Christians became quite upset when Andres Serrano displayed a crucifix in a jar of urine. Chris Ofili offended many people with his "Holy Virgin Mary," a painting utilizing elephant dung and other offensive items.

Irate Muslims around the world rioted and went berserk over some cartoons published in a Dutch newspaper that depicted Muhammad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In July 2009, eight Christians were burned alive in Pakistan over blasphemy allegations.*

Some Christians found an art work depicting the Virgin Mary wearing a niqab offensive, while some Muslims found it appropriate.*

Religious institutions and theocratic states are not the only ones that have blasphemy laws. Ireland's President Mary McAleese recently signed a blasphemy bill into law. The blasphemy provisions of the Defamation Bill make it an offense to cause outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of a religion by intentionally publishing material that grossly abuses or insults matters held sacred by their religion.* The blasphemous Muhammad cartoons would seem to be illegal in Ireland under this law.

England and Wales abolished blasphemy laws in 2008, but countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan consider any derogatory remarks about the Qur’an or Muhammad deserving of severe punishment, including death.

In the United States, blasphemy laws were allowed until a 1952 Supreme Court decision (Joseph Burstyn, Inc. v. Wilson).

Some parts of Australia ban blasphemy, but there hasn't been a prosecution there for the offense since 1919.*

"Canada lists blasphemous libel as a crime under the Criminal Code, which carries a penalty of up to two years in jail. But the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees free speech rights that supersede the blasphemy law."*

September 30 has been declared International Blasphemy Day as part of "a movement to dismantle the wall which exists between religion and criticism." The day was chosen because it was on this day in 2005 that the Danish cartoons which depict Muhammad's face were published.

The newspapers which chose to publish these cartoons were in many cases blamed for the outpouring of violence which followed. This unfortunate yet inevitable sequence of events clearly demonstrated a dangerous misconception that had piggy-backed into the 21st century on the shoulders of ignorance, fear and apathy, that all religious beliefs and ideas deserve respect and are beyond criticism or satire.

International Blasphemy Day is a movement, not just a day, to remind the world that religion should never again be beyond open and honest discussion or reproach. Our future depends on it.*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See also Free Speech, Absolutely by R. T. Carroll

further reading

Wikipedia provides blasphemy law information on thirty-one countries.

Campaign for Free Expression

International Blasphemy Day: from Danish cartoons to Jerry Springer - The Opera

Blasphemy Day encourages free thinking

Blasphemy Day Art Contest

Blasphemous songs

Cartoons Spark Burning of Embassies

Death Sentence for Afghan Student (sentence reduced to 20 years, see next link)

Afghan Court Backs Prison Term for Blasphemy

INDONESIA - Riots Erupt in Indonesia over Christian Teacher's Alleged Blasphemy

Bill Maher's blasphemous dislogy of Jerry Falwell (warning: this video contains blasphemous speech that some people might find offensive....others might laugh with the audience.)

 

Last updated 11/17/09