Anti-Blasphemy Laws in Europe

The Middle East Times has a rundown of various anti-blasphemy laws in Europe. All such laws are a blatant violation of the right of free expression and thankfully they are rarely used.

Tags

More like this

Thanks to Sandefur for sending me a link to this information. I've done a lot of work defending the ACLU for a long time, but on this one I will gladly condemn them, at least this chapter, in the harshest possible terms. The Florida ACLU has elected to its board a man named Parvez Ahmed, who said…
Chalk this up under "Yet another example of U.N. incompetence": UNITED NATIONS - Islamic countries Monday won United Nations backing for an anti-blasphemy measure Canada and other Western critics say risks being used to limit freedom of speech. Combating Defamation of Religions passed 85-50 with 42…
Apparently, if you die for Allah, the bullets ripping through your body will feel like angels' kisses, and the first thing that happens when you pop into heaven is that a horny black-eyed virgin (or two! Or 72!) will jump your bones. Although, actually, these homely losers for Mohammed don't…
Today is the official Blasphemy Day, and I hope you all had a good time. I'm afraid I didn't do anything in particular, because every day is Blasphemy Day for me, and I'm a walking talking affront to god. CFI had a video contest and announced the winners today. Here's the top choice in their…

IIRC, there is an anti-blasphemy law still on the books in MA. I remember someone (Randi) wearing a T-shirt designed specifically to violate that law in order to challenge it. As I recall, he got no takers. ah, here it is.

PART IV. CRIMES, PUNISHMENTS AND PROCEEDINGS IN CRIMINAL CASESTITLE I. CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTSCHAPTER 272. CRIMES AGAINST CHASTITY, MORALITY, DECENCY AND GOOD ORDERChapter 272: Section 36. BlasphemySection 36. Whoever wilfully blasphemes the holy name of God by denying, cursing or contumeliously reproaching God, his creation, government or final judging of the world, or by cursing or contumeliously reproaching Jesus Christ or the Holy Ghost, or by cursing or contumeliously reproaching or exposing to contempt and ridicule, the holy word of God contained in the holy scriptures shall be punished by imprisonment in jail for not more than one year or by a fine of not more than three hundred dollars, and may also be bound to good behavior.

BTW, I see Positive Liberty is back up. It was missed.

There are probably similar laws in many states, just as there are still state constitutions that require a religious test for office, but such laws are unconstitutional and no longer enforced. They just were never technically taken out.

I wouldn't trust that article too much. The bit on Britain is all over the shop. First, the blasphemy law covers Christianity in general, not just Anglicanism. Second, the incitement to religious hatred bill is still in Parliament.

By Ginger Yellow (not verified) on 08 Feb 2006 #permalink

You gotta love it. The Muslim religous leaders think that they need protection from the state for their religion which really shows how little value it has. Doesn't seem to matter where in the world it is there is clearly a need to keep the church and state separate.

By CanuckRob (not verified) on 08 Feb 2006 #permalink