Is it Blasphemy?

Question

Is it blasphemy for me to speak ill of another religion, surely blasphemy can only exist when I am a member of that religion?

For example if I criticize Muhammad, it is only blasphemy if I am a muslim, that same can't be applied to a non-muslim.

Answer 1

That's an interesting question.

I'm thinking that the people who believe that statements blaspheme their belief or their deity or aspects of their religion would not care who said it or what his/her beliefs were. However, I would expect that it would only carry significant weight (the blasphemy) if that person were well acquainted with the beliefs or were a holder (or former holder) of those beliefs.

Answer 2

The irony is of course, that blasphemy is only blasphemy is spoken against the one true belief-system. In the bible, there are several instances where prophets and apostles speak about gods in a manner that would be considered blasphemous, but it is ok, because in the context of the bible, they are false gods anyway.

In this sense, blasphemy is only something to worry about if it is your god you are badmouthing.

However, blasphemy is also a legal term in some countries. Here it is usually taken to mean blasphemy against the belief system endorsed by the state in question.

Finally, there is always the nice friendly gang of neighbourhood vigilantes who might decide to throttle you if you say something against their particular god.

So the answer to your question is, you are probably right to say that criticising Muhammed is only blasphemy for you if you are muslim, but the muslim standing next to you will still take offense, and that is not always a good thing.

Your immortal soul should still be intact, unless, of course the muslims are right...

Answer 3

Hey, I like your thoughts here. You're right on. If you're not a member of a particular religion then blasphemy cannot exist with regard to what you say about their god or beliefs. Perfect in your thinking if you ask me. Now it is virtually impossible for me to commit blasphemy anywhere, anytime since I adhere to no religion whatsoever. I like it.

Answer 4

Yes it is

To Blaspheme is to blaspheme. If you do not care, it is still Blasphemy but simply Blasphemy you do not care about.

What it is is what it is. You only care about it if you are a Muslim.



Blasphemy is a victimless crime.


This Mohamed guy had a 9 year old wife. He had bit of a taste for children. This is historical fact but we do not say it because while true, it is after all blasphemy
.


Incriminating or insulting people who have been dead for hundreds of years is unlikely to get prosecuted.


Dead people are dead people. Mohamed wasn't even Muslim. He was catholic lots of what he wrote was about the virgin Mary.

Mohamed would consider Islam Blasphemy.


Did I just blaspheme?

Answer 5

blas·phe·my [blásfəmee]
(plural blas·phe·mies)
noun
1. disrespect for religion: disrespect for God or sacred things
2. something showing disrespect for religion: something done or said that shows disrespect for God or sacred things

Microsoft® Encarta® 2007. © 1993-2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


The answer is yes, it is blasphemy. But the good news is Jesus Christ already paid for all our sins - past, present, future. IT IS FINISHED! John 19:30 so you can trust in Him and be sure that He loves you so much. He doesn't count your sins against you. 2 Corinthians 5:19, Romans 4:7,8

Answer 6

What you failed to consider is the fact that there is only one true God and true Church.

Luke 12:10 (see also Matthew 12:32 and Mark 3:29) says:
"And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven." (NIV)

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is to reject His grace. Not allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives is blasphemy: It is saying "I know more than God does about what is right for me" which takes away the principle which makes it possible to ask for forgiveness. This manifests itself in four ways: 1) despair concerning the possibility of salvation; 2) presumption of God's mercy and forgiveness; 3) denial of the truths of faith; and 4) final impenitence and refusal to turn to God. Sins against the Holy Spirit are the most grave because they reject the dignity of the One sent by the Father to sanctify us and restore us to full union with Him. Belief that if anyone fails to be open to the workings of the Holy Spirit in their lives, even once, automatically condemns them to Hell forever is not the teaching of this passage in Holy Scripture.

This passage addresses the condition of the soul at the moment of death; prior to that moment, every person has the opportunity to turn to God, have their sins forgiven, and be welcomed home like the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32)

Answer 7

If you are an atheist, it is considered rude and morally wrong to criticize other religion without any knowledge or basis.

If you are a follower of another religion such as Christian or Buddhism, then your religion (almost all main religions) prohibit you from insulting other religions.

Giving opinion regarding certain religions in an intellectual manner is allowed. What is not allowed in almost all major religions is insulting other religions.

Answer 8

True, however they could consider what you said as blasphemy. One would think that "false" religions would not be tempted to blaspheme their god(s) but this is not the case, apparently all religions have this temptation and tend to use their deities name as profanity. This would indicate that all religions are equally manufactured by humans.

Answer 9

It's not blasphemy because you're not attacking your own religion. But, if you're a Christian, you're not being a good one according to Jesus' standards right? He told his followers to love, respect and tolerate everyone, did he not? Well, criticizing other people's religion isn't exactly respecting them.

Answer 10

I think you've answered your own question but bear in mind that anyone who thinks differently from the 'status quo' is deemed as blasphemer, heretic, satanic, evil and so on- simply because free thinking or questioning is not acceptable unless said person is vulnerable and gullible enough to be conned into being a member of a religious club that simply seeks autonomy of individuality.