Blasphemy
Blasphemy (Gk., ‘speaking evil’). Impious or profane talk, especially against God; and in many W. legal systems, the offence of reviling God or Jesus Christ or an established church. The appearance of Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses, raised the issue whether blasphemy should be extended to become a more general offence (in the UK), or whether it is an offence in the domain of inciting unrest.
In Judaism, ‘blasphemy’ is speaking scornfully of God (Heb., gidduf, ḥeruf) and is described euphemistically as birkat ha-Shem (‘blessing the Name’, i.e. God). According to Leviticus 24. 10–23, the penalty for cursing God is death.
The nearest equivalent in Islam is sabb, offering an insult to God.
In Judaism, ‘blasphemy’ is speaking scornfully of God (Heb., gidduf, ḥeruf) and is described euphemistically as birkat ha-Shem (‘blessing the Name’, i.e. God). According to Leviticus 24. 10–23, the penalty for cursing God is death.
The nearest equivalent in Islam is sabb, offering an insult to God.
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Blasphemy
