Blasphemy and Freedom of Speech

[https://end-blasphemy-laws.org/whats-wrong-with-blasphemy-laws/
https://www.ifla.org/publications/the-problem-of-blasphemy-and-defamation-of-religion-laws/
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/23/world/europe/denmark-quran-burning.html
https://theconversation.com/blasphemy-isnt-just-a-problem-in-the-muslim-world-75026]()

==What is Blasphemy?==
Blasphemy, as defined in some religions or religion-based laws, is an insult that shows disrespect or lack of admiration concerning a deity (some sort of god or higher power), a sacred object or something considered absolute.

==Comparison Between Islam and Christianity:==

Islam:

  • It may be considered “blasphemous” by some Muslims to consider Jesus of Nazareth “the Son of God”
  • The Islamic holy book, the Quran, admonishes blasphemy, but does not specify the punishment Blasphemy is a crime punishable by death in many Islamic countries

Christianity:

  • Some Christians may find it “blasphemous” to say that Jesus was merely a prophet or an ordinary human being
  • Many Christian countries are keeping blasphemous laws, many solely to protect Christianity, not other religions

==What is Wrong With Blasphemy Laws?==
Blasphemy and insult to religion laws are wrong in several ways:


  • They violate the human right to freedom of expression

  • They protect religious beliefs and practices, institutions and leaders, from legitimate and often necessary criticism


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  • They are intrinsically bad, subjective, inconsistent laws; there is no “right way” to use them


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  • They legitimise vigilantism, mob violence, and persecution of minorities I will go on to explain each one of these points on their own.

==Blasphemy vs Freedom of Speech==

Blasphemy laws are commonly used around the world to persecute people for beliefs and activities that do not conform to the majority opinion on religious and sensitive topics, and to suppress criticism of religion. Freedom of expression is a fundamental right for individuals. It is also vital for all societies, to enable a plurality of opinions. It is protected by all major international human right instruments

However, by their nature laws against “blasphemy” and religious insult always go beyond a ban on incitement to hatred or violence. There is no fundamental right not to be offended in one’s religious feelings. Religions per se do not hold rights.

==Protection of Religions from Criticism==
Banning criticism not only means violating the freedom of expression of the critic, but it also means that criticism is deterred or prevented altogether on:

  • religious beliefs and practices or beliefs and practices that someone associates with religion, (for example, child “marriage”, slavery and other corporal punishments that constitute torture, denial of citizenship, bans on “inter-religious” marriage, persecution of religion or belief minorities, and many other such practices, have all sometimes been defended — or their perpetrators have claimed immunity from investigation — on the basis that they are ‘religious’ practices or that they are based on ‘religious’ beliefs)
  • religious institutions (for example it is widely recognised that taboos against appearing to question, criticise, or threaten the public perception or ‘greater good’ of the Catholic Church and other religious institutions deters people from reporting sexual abuse and other crimes)
  • religious leaders (such as clerics, who in some cases may escape charges of abuse or corruption because adherents of their religion, or others, feel unable to raise their voices against them)

==The Legitimisation of Vigilantism==
Countries which prosecute “blasphemy” and “insult to religion” tend to suffer disproportionately many incidents of:

  • inter-communal and mob violence (for example: the burning of Christian properties and murder of Christians by mobs of Muslim men in Pakistan, such as this incident in 2009 that left 6 dead, which usually follow unsourced rumours that someone has “desecrated” the Koran)
  • vigilantism against individuals (for example: the murder of Ahmed Rajib Haider and a potentially fatal machete attack on Asif Mohiuddin, both of which coincided with calls by Islamist groups to have “atheist bloggers” prosecuted for writing which supposedly insulted religion and criticised religious leaders)
  • the general silencing and persecution of minorities

Blasphemy: the action or offence of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things; profane talk.

Freedom of Speech: Freedom of speech is the right to speak, write, and share ideas and opinions without facing punishment from the government.

Law: the system of rules which a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members

Religion: the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.

Mob: a large crowd of people, especially one that is disorderly and intent on causing trouble or violence.