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Blasphemy a crime against God, not government
Q: Atheists are others are protesting a new law in Ireland, under which a person can be found guilty of blasphemy if "he or she publishes or utters matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion." The penalty is a fine of up to about $35,000. Should Ireland or any nation have a law against blasphemy?
As is so often the case in religion, there are as many definitions or interpretations of "blasphemy" as there are people in the world.
The definition of "blasphemy" as defined by the government in Ireland - someone uttering or publishing anything grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by religion" is totally outside the definition of "blasphemy" I have come to understand.
Blasphemy is an offense against God, not against a person or a government.
According to William Barclay, the late New Testament scholar and author of many commentaries, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is non-belief or serious doubt in the power and presence of God.
And, according to the Bible, it is not forgivable for a person who says she or he believes in God to doubt the power of that same God or to outright refuse to believe in God.
One can have moments of doubt, which is part of growing one's faith, but just outright denying that God is God and capable of all things is a problem ...for God.
There is no room for a government fine in that understanding and that definition of "blasphemy."
I do think that people are responsible for their words. Just because we have the right of free speech in America, for example, does not give us license to say anything we want, in whatever way we want, about any subject or person we want.
The Bible says we will be held accountable for all the words we say.
It makes me cringe and protest that people are allowed to preach and talk hatred and play to the fears and insecurities of people, all in the name of free speech.
I do not know if Ireland's constitution says that everyone has the right to say what they want ...but even if they do, it is never OK to just say what you want and knowingly offend people in the process.
But that's not blasphemy. It's rude at worst and ignorant at best, but it is not blasphemy.
Blasphemy is a sin and an offense against God, and there is no fine that can settle the score.
If Ireland wants to keep people from saying things that offend those who believe in God, that's a good thing. I wish America had that kind of sensitivity. Bad things said only produce bad feelings that take a long time to heal, if ever. More often than not, bad words lead to deeper distrust and misunderstanding between groups. Bad words, or thoughtless words, are counterproductive to the notion of a City of God, where God's people live in harmony.
But the government of Ireland seems a little misguided by calling the use of such bad words "blasphemy."
On a larger scale, it really does not seem wise for any government to get into the business of religion. The two entities are diametrically opposed; one is supposed to advocate for all people and the other advocates for money and power ...under the guise of helping people.
Part of Jesus' problem was that he opposed the government, which too often had policies which adversely affected "the least of these," and things are not that much different now. In nearly all countries, a few very wealthy people control what happens to the masses of people, and the masses of people are wanting in every way.
If religion were doing its job, there would be fewer people suffering. There is, after all, enough food and enough resources for nobody to be hungry or homeless.
Religion is supposed to supply the prophets who speak truth to power, the ones who seek profit, above all else. Religion should be a thorn in the side of government.
That is not the case, though. Government and religion too often work in tandem, to the demise of too many people.
But government should definitely not get into the business of defining religious or spiritual issues, and religion should not allow government to do it.
By
Susan K. Smith
|
January 5, 2010; 10:54 AM ET
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Posted by: PopeBentdickXIV | January 10, 2010 12:46 PM
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"The definition of "blasphemy" as defined by the government in Ireland - someone uttering or publishing anything grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by religion" is totally outside the definition of "blasphemy" I have come to understand."
Susan K smith
This definition leaves a substantial amount of room for interpretation. With it being a new law; it should be very interesting how it will be enforced. To me, it will go over like a lead balloon.
Posted by: Kay30 | January 8, 2010 11:34 PM
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"If Ireland wants to keep people from saying things that offend those who believe in God, that's a good thing. I wish America had that kind of sensitivity."
Even if those things being said are "I was fondled by Father Murphy"? Because, according to a friend who lives in Ireland, the blasphemy law was put into place to stop people from discussing sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. Kind of puts a different perspective on it, huh?
Posted by: Athena4 | January 7, 2010 4:02 PM
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"blasphemy is a crime against god, not government".
Which god? The human race has invented thousands of these mythical creatures. Which specific one is Susan alluding to?
Posted by: GMartin-Royle | January 7, 2010 3:25 AM
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This is a ridiculous paper. Ms. Smith makes some reasonable points, but I am in essential disagreement with her.
Blasphemy is not an insult against God, much less one that is not forgivable. It is not God that needs to forgive the ignorant, it is the ignorant that need to forgive themselves. God does not get offended, (in my world!), by the petty idiocies of deluded humans. Humans are the ones that get offended and insulted.
Look at the Dutch cartoonist controversy. It is not God that sent a bolt of lightening piercing through the hearts of the sarcastic infidel. It is knife wielding and axe wielding zealot freaks that got a burr up their butts that are insulted and going violent.
To that end I agree with Susan, there oughta be a law that causes people to be decent and kind and careful in their discourse with those of contrasting views. But then, I am actually grateful that there is no such law, because it would have a deadly effect on discourse and speech, and would profoundly and negatively stifle honesty and truth in dialogue.
It is idiocy to attempt to legislate what one may say about religion and spirituality. It is one hundred steps backward into the Dark Ages.
Posted by: justillthennow | January 6, 2010 4:08 PM
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Blasphemy is a crime, a victimless crime.
Posted by: pseudoenergy | January 6, 2010 2:06 PM
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I deny the Holy Spirit, God, Jesus, Allah, and any powers any of these imaginary beings are said to have.
It makes me cringe and protest that religious people are allowed to preach and talk hatred and play to the fears and insecurities of people, all in the name of God.
With that said, I wonder if Susan thinks I am going to be tortured for ALL eternity in Hell.
Posted by: dangeroustalk | January 6, 2010 2:06 PM
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"If Ireland wants to keep people from saying things that offend those who believe in God, that's a good thing. I wish America had that kind of sensitivity." -- Susan K. Smith
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I wish America had an educational system that would preclude people such as yourself from ever uttering, let alone publishing, such a ridiculous statement.
Go online and view the BBC documentary concerning the maiming of African children by some of your fellow, demonic-possession-believing Christians and then try to keep silent so as not offend that deluded scums' religious sentiments.
Posted by: cornbread_r2 | January 5, 2010 8:34 PM
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Susan,
I definitely agree with your conclusions...that "if religion were doing it's job, there would be fewer people suffering; religion should be speaking truth to power, and government needs to mind it's own business, which is certainly not religion. Ok, ok, you said it more eloquently than that!
I grew up as a preacher's kid in the AMEC, but as an adult, have mostly kept my distance from church folk. I have too much difficulty with the contradictions. I have also never worked out how it is that the church could serve as a transformative agent, when so much emphasis seems to be placed on protocol and appearances (over authenticity and substance), while simultaneously functioning to squash questioning or dissenting voices.
I wholeheartedly agree that dialogue needs to be conducted at a civil level. I do worry, however, that too many rules about comunication only serves to drown out voices that really should be heard. Needless to say, I am horrified at the thought of being fined up to $35,000 (in Ireland) for simply speaking my truth to power.
Thanks for this piece...and for your column which stimulates my thinking in this area (faith). Be well.
Michelle
Posted by: lmo795 | January 5, 2010 7:55 PM
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Can the "government" any where just do what government is suppose to do?It is generally agreed that the most important single function of government is to secure the rights and freedoms of individual citizens.Government is out of their "lane" when getting in the business of determining religious and/or spiritual issues! Government's work? Protecting my right to religious and spiritual freedom-period!
Posted by: tyson41 | January 5, 2010 7:42 PM
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