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Religion has always played a major role in most societies around the world. Depending on where you are on our planet, blasphemy can be not only a serious sin, but also a crime. This means that, in some places, people can be prosecuted for offending someone or something deemed sacred by a religion.
Many countries updated their secular laws, while others have indeed repealed blasphemy laws. There are, however, still many nations around the world that do have blasphemy laws in place and some do enforce them.
In this gallery, we look back on the concept of blasphemy and which countries still consider it to be a crime. Click on to learn more.
Blasphemy is the act of disrespecting or offending a deity or a religion. It can be defined by speaking evil of, or showing contempt towards, God or anything else considered to be sacred.
Blasphemy is mostly associated with Abrahamic religions, namely Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Let's take a look at the roots of blasphemy and how it’s interpreted in various religious contexts.
Blasphemy is very much present in the Bible and Christian theology at large. It is, in fact, one of the Ten Commandments: "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain."
Another mention can be found in the Old Testament. More specifically, in Leviticus 24:16, which reads: "Anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord is to be put to death. The entire assembly must stone them. Whether foreigner or native-born, when they blaspheme the Name they are to be put to death.”
The New Testament also makes reference to blasphemy, though this time against the Holy Spirit. Mark 3:29 stresses how grave a sin it is: “But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”
Italian priest, philosopher, and theologian Thomas Aquinas says in his book ‘Summa Theologica’ that: "[If] we compare murder and blasphemy as regards the objects of those sins, 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. On the other hand, if we compare them in respect of the harm wrought by them, murder is the graver sin, for murder does more harm to one's neighbor, than blasphemy does to God."
The Lutheran Church text 'The Book of Concord' (1580) also makes reference to blasphemy, calling it "the greatest sin that can be outwardly committed."
The ‘Heidelberg Catechism’ (1563) states that "no sin is greater or provokes God's wrath more than the blaspheming of His Name."
The Catholic Church in particular has prayers and devotions to make amends with God if one commits the sin of blasphemy.
The Golden Arrow prayer, introduced in 1844 by Discalced Carmelite nun Mary of Saint Peter, is said as an Act of Reparation. Jesus said to her, "This Golden Arrow will wound My Heart delightfully, and heal the wounds inflicted by blasphemy."
The First Saturdays Devotion is a Catholic devotion done in reparation for the sins of blasphemy and ingratitude committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
In 1636, the Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony defined blasphemy as "a cursing of God by atheism, or the like." It was a sin that was punishable by death.
Any action deemed offensive to God, the Prophet Muhammad, or any other sacred element in Islam is blasphemous. The Quran mentions blasphemy, but it does not specify a punishment for it.
The Holy Quran does, however, make reference to how to deal with people who use foul language against Islam: “And when you see those who trifle with our signs then turn thou away from them until then engage in a discourse other than that and if Satan cause thee to forget then sit not, after recollection, with the unjust people,” (6:69).
For its part, Sharia law does suggest a number of punishments for blasphemy, which vary in severity depending on the case. Today, Muslim countries deal with blasphemy in different ways.
Blasphemy is heavily punished in Judaism, especially for those who blaspheme the Tetragrammaton (God).
The Jewish moral laws known as the Seven Laws of Noah also make reference to blasphemy.
With the exception of Sikhism, Indian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism do not have the concept of blasphemy.
Blasphemy can be both a speech and a religious crime, and while many nations have repealed blasphemy laws, others still have them enforced.
Of course, there are many variations and nuances to these laws. Some of these laws were passed (and are still enforced) to protect the country’s major religion (or the state religion, when there is one) and the status quo in general.
Though other laws are enforced to actually protect religious freedom. Indeed, some of these laws are intended to protect citizens against the opposition, defamation, or vilification of religious practices, desecration of holy places and objects, and even hate speech.
In English common law, blasphemy could be punishable by fine, imprisonment, or corporal punishment. In fact, blasphemy and blasphemous libel was not abolished in England and Wales until 2008, and only in 2021 in Scotland.
Countries that abolished and repealed blasphemy laws include Australia (1995, though some states and territories still have them), Canada (2018), Denmark (2017), France (1881, except for the Alsace-Moselle region blasphemy law, which was not officially repealed until 2016).
Other counties include Greece (2019), Iceland (2015), Ireland (2020), Malta (2016), the Netherlands (2014), New Zealand (2019), and Norway (2015).
Sweden abolished blasphemy law in 1970, although an act on "Peace of Faith" protects those of all faiths. The United States never had such a law, other than the ones in the colonies—it would be a violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.
Unlike other parts of the UK, blasphemous libel is still an offense under the common law of Northern Ireland. Other countries where blasphemy is still punishable by law include Austria, Brazil, El Salvador, Finland, Germany, Italy, Nigeria, Portugal (while it doesn’t have one as such, it has a law that protects “religious feelings”), and the Philippines.
Blasphemy laws are also still in effect in Poland, Russia, South Africa, Spain (though the original blasphemy law was removed in 1988, the provisions of the article 525 of the Spanish Penal Code still account for religious beliefs), Switzerland, and Tanzania.
The vast majority of Muslim countries enforce blasphemy laws. Countries that do so include Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, and Jordan.
Other countries include Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, the Maldives, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, plus the Western Sahara territory.
Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code is essentially a blasphemy law. Myanmar also prosecutes people for blasphemy, and so do Nepal and Thailand.
See also: Surprising things forbidden by the Bible
Blasphemy: Is it still a crime?
One European nation didn't repeal blasphemy laws until 2021
LIFESTYLE Religion
Religion has always played a major role in most societies around the world. Depending on where you are on our planet, blasphemy can be not only a serious sin, but also a crime. This means that, in some places, people can be prosecuted for offending someone or something deemed sacred by a religion.
Many countries updated their secular laws, while others have indeed repealed blasphemy laws. There are, however, still many nations around the world that do have blasphemy laws in place and some do enforce them.
In this gallery, we look back on the concept of blasphemy and which countries still consider it to be a crime. Click on to learn more.