I know somebody who tore up a bible to smoke a cigarette with a certain page. Could they go to jail for tearing up the pages? Or can you go to jail for burning a Bible?
I thought that if you go buy a book, you can do whatever you want with it after that...
2007-04-02 18:24:22 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
There is no Federal Law that states this, because that would be an issue between state and religion where one religion is preferred over another.
No state should have this law either, however on the county and local level you never know what lies lie on the books. Alabama is famous for out-lawing any form of sex except for the missionary position and according to the Texas State Constitution it is illegal to carry wire cutters in your pocket (dating from the Range Wars of which Billy the Kid was one of its more famous participants).
There may be a law somewhere on the books that states this, but if that law is challenged on the issue of separation of church and state then the law will be ruled unconstitutional. If not then I can claim that this text is the scripture for my religion and that you can’t delete it from your computer.
So the issue is covered in the First Amendment, but not by the freedom of speech article as you think it would be. If I chose to burn a Bible, a Koran, the Doctrine of the Church of UFOs or some other text than that is my right. I can use that act to make a political statement and by free speech I am protected. No matter how vile other people may think that act is, legally I could do it. So your friend who abused the bible is safe, except from the Radical Christians who will want his head and will insist on preaching at him on how evil that act is. It is there freedom to do that, but it is also our freedom to not listen to them.
2007-04-02 18:35:48 · answer #1 · answered by Dan S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not unless it was extremely valuable, and belonged to someone who wanted to prosecute for destroying it. Burning a bible is not an offense that you would be jailed for. If you own it, you can do what you want to with it, as long as burning it does not break a fire code.
2007-04-02 18:29:19 · answer #2 · answered by Sparkles 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have a First Amendment right to deface a Bible provided it is YOUR Bible and not someone else's property. You also can not do it where you might be charged with disturbing the peace.
However, remember the admonition, "render onto Caesar's what is Caesar's and unto God what is God's"
St. Peter may impose a pretty stiff library fine for defacing one of God's books.
2007-04-02 18:30:20 · answer #3 · answered by vegas mark 2 · 3⤊ 3⤋
No. If you deface it by hitting someone with it, you could go to jail for battery.
2007-04-02 18:43:49 · answer #4 · answered by DOOM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's yours you can do whatever you want to with it --That goes for any book, except maybe some Muslim books if you're in the Middle East where they might cut your head off.
2007-04-02 18:31:14 · answer #5 · answered by yahoohoo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nope. Nothing wrong with defacing a bible. If you own something, you can do what you want with it. Heh... My old bible went in pieces down the toilet.
2007-04-02 18:35:10 · answer #6 · answered by Joppy Furr 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
In the USA.we have not got a law against it simply because we have so many different kinds of believing.Some spit in their mothers face also ,Also not against the law but not a good thing to do .
2007-04-02 18:36:45 · answer #7 · answered by Elaine814 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course not. Also maybe they will read a page or 2 and it will help them
2007-04-02 18:28:45 · answer #8 · answered by Kye H 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some ultra-rightwinger with a god complex might push you on trumped up charges like littering or arson, but any right-minded jury would let you off..
2007-04-02 18:28:52 · answer #9 · answered by eatmorec11h17no3 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Who told you that? Its disrespectful but you can take a dump on it if you want as long as you own it and you don't pull your pants down in public.
2007-04-02 18:28:52 · answer #10 · answered by Creepy Uncle 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋