From Conservapedia

Jump to: navigation, search

Blasphemy is a statement or act that is offensive to God. Judaism in the Old Testament imposes the following penalty for blasphemy:

Those who speak blasphemy "shall surely be put to death." (Leviticus 24:16)

A false accusation of blasphemy was the charge for which Jesus was ultimately crucified. Perhaps to avoid a charge of blasphemy, Jesus typically spoke of Himself as "The Son, a human being," but Jewish authorities, goaded by the Pharisees, understood that Jesus was asserting that he was God and sought the death penalty for blasphemy. They had trouble proving their case based on what Jesus actually said during His ministry.

Christianity also mentions blasphemy in the New Testament, but not impose a criminal punishment:

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)


Modern society

The First Amendment protects speech, even blasphemy, in the United States. Many modern films and television programs espouse blasphemous behavior and society's liberals and atheists often promote it as if it is fun and appropriate.

Blasphemy Laws

Due to the Judeo-Christian heritage of America, many states had laws against blasphemy, some of which are still on the books today.[1][2] [3]

In the United Kingdom, blasphemy laws were abolished as part of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008.[4]

In many Islamic countries, blasphemy was and still is punishable by death.


Matthew 12:22-32



  1. [The General Laws of Massachusetts, Chapter 272, Section 36].
  2. Mich. Comp. Laws Section 750.102
  3. Mich. Comp. Laws Section 750.103
Personal tools