blasphemy

blas·phe·my

(blăs'fə-mē) pronunciation

n., pl., -mies.

1. A contemptuous or profane act, utterance, or writing concerning God or a sacred entity.
2. The act of claiming for oneself the attributes and rights of God.
An irreverent or impious act, attitude, or utterance in regard to something considered inviolable or sacrosanct.

[Middle English blasfemie, from Late Latin blasphēmia, from Greek blasphēmiā, from blasphēmein, to blaspheme. See blaspheme.]

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blasphemy

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noun

An act of disrespect or impiety toward something regarded as sacred: desecration, profanation, sacrilege, violation. See sacred/profane.
A profane or obscene term: curse, epithet, expletive, oath, swearword. Informal cuss. See decent/indecent, sacred/profane, words.

Antonyms by Answers.com:

blasphemy

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Definition: irreverence
Antonyms: godliness, piety, religion, religiousness, reverence

Encyclopedia of Judaism:

Blasphemy

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(Heb. gidduf, ḥeruf). Any utterance showing contempt for God or profaning the Divine Name. The Third Commandment (Ex. 20:7; Deut. 5:11) explicitly forbids "taking the Lord's Name in vain" and biblical law, which made it an offense to "revile God" (Ex. 22:27), inflicted the penalty of death by stoning on one who had "cursed" and "blasphemed" in this way (Lev. 24:10-16, 23). Coupled with the prohibition of blasphemy was the admonition not to curse a legitimate ruler of Israel (Ex. 22:27). The rabbis made the prohibition of blasphemy incumbent on all mankind as one of the Noachide Laws. By Mishnaic times, only a flagrant profanation of the Tetragrammaton---God's "ineffable Name"---incurred the death penalty (San. 7:5). A person guilty of a profane utterance involving any other Divine Name was sentenced to flogging (San. 56a). The rule demanding two witnesses of the crime often rendered proof of the offense difficult. Consideration was also shown for the repentant blasphemer. As biblical sources already indicate (II Kings 18:37-19:2; Isa. 36:22-37:2), the solemn Rending of Garments became a practice observed by anyone who heard God's Name desecrated in public (San. 60a). With the decline of Jewish legal autonomy, the original punishment for blasphemy was commuted to ḥerem (Excommunication). See also Blessing and Cursing; ḥillul Ha-Shem.

Columbia Encyclopedia:

blasphemy

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blasphemy, in religion, words or actions that display irreverence toward or contempt for God or that which is held sacred. Blasphemy is regarded as an offense against the community to varying degrees, depending on the extent of the identification of a religion with the society at large or the government. Sedition, an attack on the sovereign, is thus analogous; both it and blasphemy can be seen as subversive of order and authority. Heresy, on the other hand, is a matter of competing claims for doctrinal correctness; the dominant (orthodox) faction, however, often defines the heretic as blasphemous.

Blasphemy has been a crime in many religions and cultures, wherever there is something sacred to protect. Socrates was prosecuted for blasphemy, and Mosaic law prescribed death for cursing the name of God. Jesus was tried for blasphemy, while Christians regarded the action of the Jews in trying him as itself blasphemous.

Secular modern states often retain blasphemy laws, but they are infrequently enforced. In the United States, state blasphemy laws remain on the books, but the Supreme Court's expansive interpretation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution makes it likely that any blasphemy prosecution would now be regarded as an impermissible establishment of religion. In countries governed under Islamic law, the concept of blasphemy is broad, embracing many kinds of disrespect or denial of religion; the condemnation (1988) of the author Salman Rushdie by Iranian clerics is a recent example of theocratic action.

West's Encyclopedia of American Law:

Blasphemy

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This entry contains information applicable to United States law only.

The malicious or wanton reproach of God, either written or oral. In English law, the offense of speaking disparaging words about God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, or the Book of Common Prayer with the intent to undermine religious beliefs and promote contempt and hatred for the church as well as general immorality. In U.S. law, any maliciously intended written or oral accusation made against God or religion with the purpose of dishonoring the divine majesty and alienating mankind from the love and reverence of God.

Blasphemy is a common-law offense and also an offense by statute in certain jurisdictions. It must be uttered in the presence of another person or persons or published in order to be an offense. Mere use of profanity is not considered blasphemy.

Blasphemy statutes are rarely, if ever, enforced today.

Word Tutor:

blasphemy

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IN BRIEF: A great disrespect shown towards sacred things.

There is only one blasphemy, and that is the refusal to experience joy. — Paul Rudnick

LearnThatWord.com is a free vocabulary and spelling program where you only pay for results!

Quotes About:

Blasphemy

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Quotes:

"I don't think it is given to any of us to be impertinent to great religions with impunity." - John Le Carre

"I am very sorry to know and hear how unreverently that most precious jewel, the Word of God, is disputed, rhymed, sung and jangled in every ale-house and tavern, contrary to the true meaning and doctrine of the same." - Edward VIII

"We cannot assume the injustice of any actions which only create offense, and especially as regards religion and morals. He who utters or does anything to wound the conscience and moral sense of others, may indeed act immorally; but, so long as he is not guilty of being importunate, he violates no right." - Karl Wilhelm Von Humboldt

"There is only one blasphemy, and that is the refusal to experience joy." - Paul Rudnick

"Your blasphemy, Salman, can't be forgiven. To set your words against the Words of God." - Salman Rushdie

"Where there is no belief, there is no blasphemy." - Salman Rushdie

See more famous quotes about Blasphemy

Random House Word Menu:

categories related to 'blasphemy'

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Random House Word Menu by Stephen Glazier

For a list of words related to blasphemy, see:

Blame, Censure, Ridicule, and Contempt - blasphemy: insult to, contempt for, or irreverence toward something sacred
Practice and Doctrine - blasphemy: sacrilege; intentional offense to God

Rhymes:

blasphemy

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See words rhyming with "blasphemy."

Wikipedia on Answers.com:

Blasphemy

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For other uses, see Blasphemy (disambiguation).

Blasphemy is irreverence towards religious or holy persons or things.^[1] Some countries have laws to punish blasphemy,^[2] while others have laws to give recourse to those who are offended by blasphemy. Those laws may discourage blasphemy as a matter of blasphemous libel,^[3] vilification of religion,^[4]^[5] religious insult,^[6] or hate speech.^[7]

Contents

1 Etymology
2 Blasphemy laws
3 Christianity
- 3.1 Catholic prayers and reparations for blasphemy
- 3.2 Death sentence
4 Islam
5 Judaism
6 The United Nations
7 Colloquial usage
8 See also
9 References
10 Further reading
11 External links

Etymology

The word "blasphemy" came via Middle English blasfemen and Old French blasfemer and Late Latin blasphemare from Greek βλασφημέω, from βλάπτω = "I injure" and φήμη = "reputation". From blasphemare also came Old French blasmer, from which English "blame" came. Blasphemy: 'from Gk. blasphemia "a speaking ill, impious speech, slander," from blasphemein "to speak evil of."'^[8] "In the sense of speaking evil of God this word is found in Ps. 74:18; Isa. 52:5; Rom. 2:24; Rev. 13:1, 6; 16:9, 11, 21. It denotes also any kind of calumny, or evil-speaking, or abuse (1 Kings 21:10; Acts 13:45; 18:6, etc.)."^[9]

Blasphemy laws

Main article: Blasphemy law

In some countries with a state religion blasphemy is outlawed under the criminal code. It has been claimed^[10] that such laws can be used to victimize non-members of, and dissident members of, the state religion.

Christianity

The satirical Alexamenos graffito is believed to be the earliest known representation of Jesus.

Christian theology condemns blasphemy. It is spoken of in Mark 3:29, where blaspheming the Holy Spirit is spoken of as unforgivable—the eternal sin. However, there is dispute over what form this blasphemy may take and whether it qualifies as blasphemy in the conventional sense.

Blasphemy has been condemned as a serious, or even the most serious, sin by the major creeds and Church theologians.

Thomas Aquinas says that “it is clear that blasphemy, which is a sin committed directly against God, is more grave than murder, which is a sin against one's neighbor. … it is called the most grievous sin, for as much as it makes every sin more grievous.”^[11]
The Book of Concord calls blasphemy “the greatest sin that can be outwardly committed”.^[12]
The Baptist Confession of Faith says: “Therefore, to swear vainly or rashly by the glorious and awesome name of God…is sinful, and to be regarded with disgust and detestation. …For by rash, false, and vain oaths, the Lord is provoked and because of them this land mourns.”^[13]
The Heidelberg Catechism answers question 100 about blasphemy by stating that “no sin is greater or provokes God's wrath more than the blaspheming of His Name”.^[14]
The Westminster Larger Catechism explains that “The sins forbidden in the third commandment are, the abuse of it in an ignorant, vain, irreverent, profane...mentioning...by blasphemy...to profane jests, ...vain janglings, ...to charms or sinful lusts and practices.”^[15]
Calvin found it intolerable “when a person is accused of blasphemy, to lay the blame on the ebullition of passion, as if God were to endure the penalty whenever we are provoked.”^[16]

Catholic prayers and reparations for blasphemy

In the Catholic Church, there are specific prayers and devotions as Acts of Reparation for blasphemy.^[17] For instance, The Golden Arrow Holy Face Devotion (Prayer) first introduced by Sister Marie of St Peter in 1844 is recited "in a spirit of reparation for blasphemy". This devotion (started by Sister Marie and then promoted by the Venerable Leo Dupont) was approved by Pope Leo XIII in 1885.^[18] The Raccolta Catholic prayer book includes a number of such prayers.^[19] The Five First Saturdays devotions are done with the intention in the heart of making reparation to the Blessed Mother for blasphemies against her, her name and her holy initiatives.

The Holy See has specific "Pontifical organizations" for the purpose of the reparation of blasphemy through Acts of Reparation to Jesus Christ, e.g. the Pontifical Congregation of the Benedictine Sisters of the Reparation of the Holy Face.^[20]

Writer Salman Rushdie was accused of blasphemy and subject of a fatwā issued by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the Supreme Leader of Iran, in February 1989.

Death sentence

In Britain's last blasphemy execution, 20-year-old Thomas Aikenhead was executed for the crime in 1697. He was prosecuted for denying the veracity of the Old Testament and the legitimacy of Christ's miracles. In recent years, George Rosie wrote in the newspaper The Scotsman that "The killing of Thomas Aikenhead, like the hounding of Salman Rushdie for the same 'offence,' was a disgrace…a prime example of a God-fixated state killing a man in an attempt to stop the spread of an idea."^[21]

Islam

Main article: Islam and blasphemy

The Quran and the hadith do not mention blasphemy.^[22] According to Pakistani religious scholar, Javed Ahmed Ghamidi, nothing in Islam supports blasphemy law.^[23] Rather, Muslim jurists made the offense part of Sharia; the penalties for blasphemy can include fines, imprisonment, flogging, amputation, hanging, or beheading.^[24] Muslim clerics may call for the punishment of an alleged blasphemer by issuing a fatwa.^[25]

Judaism

In the third book of the Torah, Leviticus 24:16 states that he that blasphemes the name of the Lord "shall surely be put to death". See also List of capital crimes in the Torah. The Seven laws of Noah, which Judaism sees as applicable to all people, prohibit blasphemy.

The United Nations

Main article: Blasphemy and the United Nations

In the early 21st century, blasphemy became an issue for the United Nations. The General Assembly passed several resolutions which called upon the world to take action against the "defamation of religions."^[26]

Colloquial usage

Blasphemy has been used to mean "irreverence" in a non-religious context. Sir Francis Bacon uses "blasphemy" in this way in Advancement of Learning, where he speaks of "blasphemy against teaching".

"Blasphemy" may be used as a substitute for "profanity" or "cursing" as it is used in this sentence: "With much hammering and blasphemy, the locomotive's replacement spring was finally fitted."

In contemporary language, the notion of blasphemy is often used hyperbolically. This usage has garnered some interest among linguists recently, and the word 'blasphemy' is a common case used for illustrative purposes.^[27]^[28]

References

^ "Blasphemy | Define Blasphemy at Dictionary.com". Dictionary.reference.com. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/blasphemy. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
^ See Blasphemy law.
^ Kerr, ine (9 July 2009). "Libel and blasphemy bill passed by the Dail". The Irish Independent. http://www.independent.ie/national-news/libel-and-blasphemy-bill-passed-by-the-dail-1813479.html. Retrieved 17 November 2009.
^ "ANTI-DISCRIMINATION ACT 1991 – SECT 124A 124A Vilification on grounds of race, religion, sexuality or gender identity unlawful". Austlii.edu.au. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/qld/consol_act/aa1991204/s124a.html. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
^ "Victoria Police – Racial and religious vilification". Police.vic.gov.au. http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?document_id=23370. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
^ "European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), ''Report on the relationship between freedom of expression and freedom of religion: the issue of regulation and prosecution of blasphemy, religious insult and incitement to religious hatred'', 17–18 October 2008, Doc. No. CDL-AD(2008)026". Merlin.obs.coe.int. http://merlin.obs.coe.int/redirect.php?id=11512. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
^ See Blasphemy law and Hate speech.
^ "Online Etymology Dictionary – Blasphemy". Etymonline.com. http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=blasphemy. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
^ (from Easton's Bible Dictionary) Psalm.74:18;Isaiah.52:5;Romans.2:24 – Revelation.13:1;Rev.13:6;Rev.16:9;Rev.16:11;Rev.16:21 – 1Kings.21:10;Acts.13:45;Acts.18:6
^ Sources of claims:
- World of Intolerance Religious Watch. Retrieved 5 October 2011
- United Nations will violate Human Rights International Humanist and Ethical Union. Retrieved 5 October 2011
- "Muslim scholar says Scrap blasphemy laws". Herald Malaysia Online. 11 August 2009. http://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/Muslim-scholar-says-Scrap-blasphemy-laws-which-bring-shame-on-Islam-and-Pakistan-2058-1-1.html. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
- Annual Report of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom May 2009 (Pakistan, etc.). Retrieved 5 October 2011
- A call upon states to work toward abolishing the juvenile death penalty U.N. January 1999. Retrieved 5 October 2011
- Indonesia – Amnesty International Report 2009 Amnesty International. Retrieved 5 October 2011
^ Thomas Aquinas: Summa Theologica 2:2, q. 13.
^ The Book of Concord The Large Catechism, §55.
^ The Baptist Confession of Faith Ch. 23, §2–3.
^ The Heidelberg Catechism Q. 100.
^ Westminster Larger Catechism Q. 113.
^ Jean Calvin: Harmony of the Law vol. 4. Lev. 24:10.
^ Act of Reparation for Blasphemies Uttered Against the Holy Name, Righting Wrongs Through Prayer By Scott P. Richert, About.com
^ * Dorothy Scallan. The Holy Man of Tours. (1990) ISBN 0895553902
^ Joseph P. Christopher et al., 2003 The Raccolta, St Athanasius Press ISBN 978-0970652669
^ Letter for 50th anniversary of the Benedictine Sisters of Reparation of the Holy Face, 2000 Vatican archives
^ "Thomas Aikenhead". 5.uua.org. http://www25.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/thomasaikenhead.html. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
^ Saeed, Abdullah; Hassan Saeed (2004). Freedom of Religion, Apostasy and Islam. Burlington VT: Ashgate Publishing Company. pp. 38–39. ISBN 978-0754630838.
^ Islamic scholar attacks Pakistan's blasphemy laws Guardian 20 January 2010. Retrieved 23 January 2010
^ "Islamic Voice". Islamic Voice. http://www.islamicvoice.com/April2006/QuestionHour-DrZakirNaik/. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
^ "Blasphemy Salman Rushdie". Constitutional Rights Foundation. 2009. http://www.crf-usa.org/america-responds-to-terrorism/blasphemy-salman-rushdie.html. Retrieved 10 July 2009.
^ U.N. Resolutions:
- A/RES/60/150
- Vote on 16 December 2005 (A/60/PV.64)
- A/RES/61/164
- Vote on 19 December 2006
- A/RES/62/154
- Vote on 18 December 2007
- A/RES/63/171
- Vote on 18 December 2008
^ Recanati, F. (1995) The alleged priority of literal interpretation. Cognitive Science 19: 207–32.

Carston, R. (1997) Enrichment and loosening: complementary processes in deriving the proposition expressed? Linguistische Berichte 8: 103–127.

Carston, R. (2000). Explicature and semantics. UCL Working Papers in Linguistics 12: 1–44. Revised version to appear in Davis & Gillon (forthcoming).

Sperber, D. & D. Wilson (1998) The mapping between the mental and the public lexicon. In Carruthers & Boucher (1998: 184–200).

Glucksberg, S. (2001) Understanding Figurative Language: From Metaphors to Idioms. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Wilson, D. & D. Sperber (2002) Truthfulness and relevance. Mind 111: 583–632.
^ Relevance and Lexical PragmaticsPDF (87K) UCL Dept of Phonetics and Linguistics. Retrieved 24 October 2011

External links

The Rational Response Squad: The Blasphemy Challenge
A More4 news film report on how insulting the prophet Mohammed in Pakistan is a capital offence, and defiling the Koran carries life imprisonment.
review of laws relating to blasphemy and sacrilege in various jurisdictions
Catholic Encyclopedia – Blasphemy
Jewish Encyclopedia – Blasphemy

v d e Ten Commandments

Commandments	I am the Lord your God • You shall have no other gods before me • You shall not make for yourself an idol • You shall not make wrongful use of the name of your God • Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy • Honor your father and your mother • You shall not murder • You shall not commit adultery • You shall not steal • You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor • You shall not covet

Related articles	613 Mitzvot • Seven Laws of Noah

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Translations:

Blasphemy

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - blasfemi, gudsbespottelse

Nederlands (Dutch)
blasfemie, godslastering, heiligschennis

Français (French)
n. - blasphème

Deutsch (German)
n. - Blasphemie, (Gottes)lästerung, Fluchen

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - βλασφημία

Italiano (Italian)
bestemmia

Português (Portuguese)
n. - blasfêmia (f), irreverência (f)

Русский (Russian)
богохульство

Español (Spanish)
n. - blasfemia

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - hädelse, blasfemi

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
亵渎神明, 亵渎神明的言词

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 褻瀆神明, 褻瀆神明的言詞

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 모독, 욕설

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 冒涜, 不敬

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) سب الدين, عدم احترام المقدسات‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮חירוף, חילול השם‬

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blasphemy

blas·phe·my

blasphemy

blasphemy

Blasphemy

blasphemy

Blasphemy

blasphemy

Blasphemy

categories related to 'blasphemy'

blasphemy

Blasphemy

Etymology

Blasphemy laws

Christianity

Catholic prayers and reparations for blasphemy

Death sentence

Islam

Judaism

The United Nations

Colloquial usage

See also

References

Further reading

External links

Blasphemy