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| − | '''Blasphemy''' is the defaming or disrespectful use of the name of [[God]], or any act which is defamatory or disrespectful to God's person. | + | '''Blasphemy''' is a statement or act that is offensive to [[God]]. [[Judaism]] in the [[Old Testament]] imposes the following penalty for blasphemy: |
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| − | [[Judaism]] in the [[Old Testament]] states the following about blasphemy: | + | <blockquote>Those who speak blasphemy "shall surely be put to death". ([[Leviticus]] 24:16)</blockquote> |
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| − | <blockquote>Those who speak blasphemy "shall surely be put to death". ([[Leviticus]] 24:16)</blockquote>
| + | A false accusation of blasphemy was the charge for which Jesus was ultimately [[crucifixion|crucified]]. Jesus spoke of Himself as the Son of God, which the [[Jew]]ish authorities, goaded by the [[Pharisee]]s, considered to be blasphemous and deserving of [[death]]. |
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| − | [[Christianity]] also mentions blasphemy in the [[New Testament]] | + | [[Christianity]] also mentions blasphemy in the [[New Testament]], but not impose a criminal punishment: |
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| | <blockquote>But whoever blasphemes against the [[Holy Spirit]] never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin. ([[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 3:29)</blockquote> In context, this is considered to be attributing the works of God to [[Satan]]. The teachers of the law acknowledged that [[Jesus]] was curing people of evil spirits, but then accused [[Jesus]] of having the power to drive evil spirits out of people because He Himself was possessed by an evil spirit. (Mark 3:22) | | <blockquote>But whoever blasphemes against the [[Holy Spirit]] never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin. ([[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 3:29)</blockquote> In context, this is considered to be attributing the works of God to [[Satan]]. The teachers of the law acknowledged that [[Jesus]] was curing people of evil spirits, but then accused [[Jesus]] of having the power to drive evil spirits out of people because He Himself was possessed by an evil spirit. (Mark 3:22) |
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| − | A false accusation of blasphemy was the charge for which Jesus was ultimately [[crucifixion|crucified]]. Jesus spoke of Himself as the Son of God, which the [[Jew]]ish authorities, goaded by the [[Pharisee]]s, considered to be blasphemous and deserving of [[death]].
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| | == Modern society == | | == Modern society == |
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| | Due to the Judeo-Christian heritage of America, many states had laws against blasphemy, some of which are still on the books today.<ref>[The General Laws of Massachusetts, http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/272-36.htm Chapter 272, Section 36].</ref><ref>Mich. Comp. Laws [http://law.onecle.com/michigan/750-michigan-penal-code/mcl-750-102.html Section 750.102]</ref> <ref>Mich. Comp. Laws [http://law.onecle.com/michigan/750-michigan-penal-code/mcl-750-103.html Section 750.103]</ref> | | Due to the Judeo-Christian heritage of America, many states had laws against blasphemy, some of which are still on the books today.<ref>[The General Laws of Massachusetts, http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/272-36.htm Chapter 272, Section 36].</ref><ref>Mich. Comp. Laws [http://law.onecle.com/michigan/750-michigan-penal-code/mcl-750-102.html Section 750.102]</ref> <ref>Mich. Comp. Laws [http://law.onecle.com/michigan/750-michigan-penal-code/mcl-750-103.html Section 750.103]</ref> |
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| − | In the [[United Kingdom]], blasphemy laws were abolished as part of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 <ref>http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2008/ukpga_20080004_en_1</ref> | + | In the [[United Kingdom]], blasphemy laws were abolished as part of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008.<ref>http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2008/ukpga_20080004_en_1</ref> |
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| − | In Many [[Islamic]] countries, blasphemy was and still is punishable by death. | + | In many [[Islamic]] countries, blasphemy was and still is punishable by death. |
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| | ==Bible== | | ==Bible== |