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Created page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame ==Etymology== The word "blasphemy" came via [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09T...'
[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Blasphemy.jpg|right|frame]]

==Etymology==
The word "blasphemy" came via [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] blasfemen and Old French blasfemer and Late Latin blasphemare from [[Greek]] βλασφημέω, from βλάπτω = "I injure" and φήμη = "reputation". From blasphemare also came Old French blasmer, from which [[English]] "blame" came.
*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_Century 13th century]
==Definitions==
*1 a : the [[act]] of insulting or showing contempt or lack of [[reverence]] for [[God]]
:b : the [[act]] of claiming the [[attributes]] of [[deity]]
*2 : irreverence toward something considered [[sacred]] or inviolable
*3 : Slander, [[evil]] [[Speech|speaking]], defamation
==Description==
'''Blasphemy''' is irreverence toward [[holy]][[person]]ages, religious [[artifacts]], [[customs]], and [[beliefs]]. The [[Abraham]]ic [[religions]] condemn blasphemy vehemently. Some countries have [[laws]] to punish blasphemy, while others have laws to give recourse to those who are offended by blasphemy. Those laws may discourage blasphemy as a matter of blasphemous libel, vilification of [[religion]], religious insult, or hate [[speech]]. The [[idea]] of blasphemy makes the [[word]] amenable to colloquial usage.

Sometimes the word "blasphemy" is used loosely to mean any profane [[language]], for example: "With much hammering and blasphemy, the locomotive's replacement spring was finally fitted."

Countries use blasphemy [[laws]] to victimize non-members of, and dissident members of, the ruling [[sect]] or [[cult]]. Countries with a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_religion state religion] are the most punitive users of blasphemy laws.

[[Category: Law]]
[[Category: Religion]]

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