Practically all traditional religions have or have had strict rules on blasphemy. The idea behind this is to honor the sanctity of what the tradition regards as sacred. It is appropriate that one demands of the faithful more than a modicum of respect and reverence for the names and symbols of their religion. Given that in all societies and at all times there have always been skeptics and unbelievers who did not care to respect such injunctions it seemed appropriate for the religious establishment in power to impose severe penalties on those who desecrated in one way or another, in public or in secrecy, whatever was regarded as sacred. Lack of respect and over insult to the sacred in a religious framework is what one calls blasphemy.
In ancient times punishment for blasphemy used to be severe, certainly in the framework of the Abrahamic religions. These ranged from excommunication and exile to hanging, decapitation, and burning at the stake. Savage as such treatments might seem to those who have been awakened to enlightened values and modern worldviews, they seemed perfectly normal to those whose love for or devotion to their god was so intense, not to say distorted, that they felt it was their moral and religious responsibility to protect God's honor by severe means, not only to punish the impious but also to teach the rest that they better beware of what they say or write about what is proclaimed as canonically sacred.
But even in olden times only the followers of a religion were held accountable for acts or words of blasphemy. One not belonging to the faith was not meted out the same punishment as a believer who blasphemed. But now things have changed. For the first time in history -- perhaps since the publication of the cartoon in a Danish newspaper -- even outsiders are subject to the same laws of blasphemy. It is important for the world to recognize this ominous turn and its terrible consequences, actual and potential. Furthermore, in the good old times, only the perpetrator of blasphemy was answerable to his or her behavior. Now, as we have been seeing, people who are utterly innocent of the charge, and even those who publicly condemn such behavior, are considered fair targets of the rage of the so-called believers.
I like to think that the vast majority of modern Muslims are appalled by this development which brings only ignominy to their great religion. I am sure many of them are nauseated by the kinds of reactions by the mindless bigotry of some of their co-religionists that one reads and sees in the news. I am well aware that many of them the can do very little about it.
The only hope seems to be this: The leaders in Islamic countries, both lay and religious, imams and ayatollahs, may proclaim to their people that this kind of behavior is contrary to the teachings of their faith. Furthermore, the United Nations should resolve that every member nation repeal medieval blasphemy laws from their books.
In meanwhile, like many Non-Muslims in the United States and all over the world, I too condemn intentional and provocative desecration of the religious symbols of other people. But I also uphold the individual right of every human being in civilized societies to express his or her views on any religion or aspect of any religion as they wish. God forbid that suicide killers spring in the other religions of the world also.
Let us pray and wish for peace and understanding among the peoples of the world.
Daisy Khan: In the Name of Islam, Release the Christian Girl
how many times is it now british and american or merceneries(private security firms) have been caught setting up bombs in crowded market places?
And anyone who blasphemes against your way of life modern western secular which means godless civilisation and desires another way of life we will invade and destroy you. you must submit to our religions authority over you and our law is the supreme law this is claiming to be god. as gods law is the supreme law. god is the soveriegn of the heavens and earth etc. like i said b4 u can pick through this entire piece like this but i wont bore u anymore!
Said another way, the Constitution gives Americans the right to say stupid and offensive things without having to fear governmental sanctions.
If the deity or prophet fails to show, the case is dismissed.
The west have stolen the Oil, assets, politics, governments from the Middle East and now you think those who act what they believe are ENEMIES of the Universe
But if you Kill for WMD or 911 involvement, Occupation, unprovoke war thats OK if it is USA?
Most Christian think if you BELIEVE in his name you are GOD chosen. Yet, the new testament IS ALL about being the DEED/WORKS to be the GRACE
FEW have DEEDS/WORKS from GRACE of BELIEVING just in the NAME of CHRIST who said he came for GOD and you were the SON of GOD not a worshoper AT ALL
Even in you GROUP THERAPY of clubs, groups, and secularism IT IS YOU babe.
You are either CHRISTLIKE or stuck in physical Materialism. A worm over and over again. But you can evolve to a man... IN 1,000,000,000,000,000 years if we could only OBJECTIVELY OBSERVE it long enough.
Sorry Charley...man will kill himself long before that...
"Judge the tree by the fruit it bares"
So if you insight a riot with words...it is not FREE SPEECH it is MURDER
Karma is the EVIL on does by actions
Enough of this believing in Christ w/o being CHRIST or the SON OF GOD
"Judge the tree by the fruit it bares"
I was taught that you are not free to say any damn thing you want to by calling it FREE SPEECH
"It is not what you put into your mouth that DEFILES you, but what comes out of it"
If it cannot stand up in a court of law or science reserach laboratory, then we are dealing here in the philopsophical and metaphysical and mythological realm ONLY. There is NO EVIDENCE that any Deity is ACTUALLY being offended, hurt, impaired by humans poking fun or ridiculing It intentionally or unintentionally. It is PEOPLE who are getting offended because of their baseless and shallow religious pride and feelings of superiority of belief. It is PEOPLE who are killing ACTUAL human beings over a PHILOSOPHICAL, MYTHOLOGICAL concept. Does anyone else see how ridiculous this is? It is just as ridiculous as avid Star Wars fanatics wanting to bomb a movie theatre because it made fun of Hans Solo. And what is so sad is that the people in these countries have REAL things they should be protesting about- poverty, despotic governments, police brutality, corruption, lack of education and health care etc.
We can't keep falling for the "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" routine forever.
Sometimes the only reamaining reason that something is considered "sacred" today is because it was considered sacred yesterday.
Times change.