Blasphemy law

A blasphemy law is a legal rule that prohibits blasphemy. Blasphemy is defined as the act of insulting or showing contempt toward a deity. It also includes showing a lack of reverence to sacred objects. These objects are things considered holy or inviolable. Such laws aim to prevent the vilification or defamation of a religion. They may also protect the religious feelings of practitioners. Some laws protect the beliefs of a majority group in a country. Other laws exist to offer protection to religious minorities.

These laws function through various legal mechanisms. They can target profane speech, writing, or specific actions. Some versions of these laws focus on religious libel. Libel involves making false or harmful statements about a religion. In some places, the law distinguishes between critique and insult. For example, former laws in Denmark did not criminalize critique. Instead, they sanctioned speech that was intended to insult. Human rights experts study how to balance these laws. They seek to protect individual freedoms without restricting speech too broadly.

Blasphemy laws appear in many different forms and stages. One type focuses on protecting the sanctity of religious teachings. In Austria, Section 188 of the criminal code relates to religious peace. This law can result in a fine or six months in prison. Another type focuses on the public treatment of religious objects. Brazil's penal code, Article 208, criminalizes the public vilification of religious worship objects. This offense can lead to one year of prison. A third type focuses on the incitement of religious hatred. Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights addresses this. It requires countries to stop advocacy that causes hostility or violence.

The history of these laws shows significant changes over centuries. In the 13th century, French law included the concept of blasphemy. This was based on the ideas of St. Thomas Aquinas. He described it as a failure to declare one's faith. In 1254, King Louis IX set extreme punishments for these acts. These included the mutilation of the lips and tongue. The French Revolution later helped eliminate blasphemy from law in 1791. Australia also has a history tied to English common law. The Blasphemy Act 1697 was part of the early Australian legal system. The Australian federal government repealed these laws in 1995.

Many countries have seen specific legal battles regarding these rules. In Canada, blasphemous libel was a crime under the Criminal Code. This crime could lead to two years of imprisonment. However, people could avoid conviction if they used good faith and decent language. A petition to Parliament in 2016 requested the law's repeal. The repeal became official on December 13, 2018. In Denmark, the blasphemy law was repealed in 2017. This happened shortly before a trial regarding a social media video. However, Denmark reinstated blasphemy laws in 2023. These new laws ban the improper treatment of significant religious writings.

Specific cases illustrate how these laws affect artists and writers. In Finland, the law prohibits publicly blaspheming against God. This has led to several highly publicized legal cases. In 1964, the author Hannu Salama was convicted for his novel. In 1969, the artist Harro Koskinen was prosecuted for his paintings. One painting was titled Pig Messiah and depicted a crucified pig. In 2008, a politician named Jussi Halla-aho was fined for a blog text. These examples show how legal definitions impact creative expression.

As of 2014, about 26% of the world's countries had such laws. This means about one quarter of all countries and territories had them. These laws connect to broader debates about human rights. Organizations like Humanists International track these issues in annual reports. They monitor how countries treat non-religious people and freedom of expression. The debate often centers on the line between respect and freedom. It involves the tension between protecting religious feelings and protecting free speech. These legal systems continue to evolve across the globe.