The term “blasphemy” refers to the act of disrespecting or offending a deity or religion. This manifests itself when speaking negatively about a faith or showing contempt for God or any entity considered sacred.
But, do you know that in some places in the world, practicing blasphemy can even be classified as a crime?
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Keep reading and better understand the origins of this concept, as well as the history of how blasphemy can land someone in jail.
Blasphemy is deeply associated with the Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
In Christianity
A Holy Bible, a book that underpins the Christian faith, contains multiple mentions of blasphemy. In the Old Testament, the passage found in Leviticus 24:16 declares that whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord will be sentenced to death.
In the New Testament, the text of Mark 3:29 warns about the seriousness of blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
Great Christian theologians also addressed the topic. Thomas Aquinas, in his work “Summa Theologiae”, mentioned that blasphemy is more serious than murder when considering its objects.
Protestant works, such as “The Book of Concord” and the “Heidelberg Catechism”, reinforce the seriousness of this sin.
In Islam
In Islam, offending God, the prophet Muhammad or any sacred entity is considered blasphemy. The Quran, sacred book Muslim, alludes to how to deal with those who oppose Islam, but does not establish a specific punishment for blasphemy.
However, Sharia law, in force in many Muslim countries, provides variable punishments for such a crime.
In Judaism
O Judaism has severe punishments for those who blaspheme, especially when using the name of God in vain, represented by the so-called Tetragrammaton. The Seven Laws of Noah also address the topic.
In Indian religions
In contrast, religions indian like Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism do not have a clear concept of blasphemy, except Sikhism.
In many societies, blasphemy goes beyond being just a sin; it is also considered a crime. While many countries have updated or even repealed their blasphemy laws, others still maintain such laws and enforce them strictly.
Countries like England and Wales abolished blasphemy laws in 2008, and Scotland did the same just in 2021. Nations including Australia, Canada, Denmark and France have also repealed similar laws.
Even in America, where the First Amendment protects freedom of speech, there were blasphemy laws in the colonies.
On the other hand, many countries, especially those with a Christian or Muslim majority, still have blasphemy laws.
Northern Ireland, for example, maintains blasphemous libel as a crime. Countries such as Austria, Brazil, Germany, the Philippines and Switzerland also have laws related to blasphemy.
Blasphemy in Muslim countries
The vast majority of Muslim countries, including Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain and many others, enforce laws revolving around blasphemy. These laws vary in severity and enforcement, but blasphemy is generally treated seriously in these countries.
Other nations and blasphemy
In addition to Abrahamic countries, nations such as India, Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand have laws that essentially treat blasphemy as a crime, with variations and specificities.
Blasphemy, as a concept and a crime, varies widely in its definition and treatment around the world. While some see it as an act of freedom of expression, others perceive it as a serious offense.
Understanding and respect for different cultural and religious perspectives on the topic are essential in the globalized world.