The Future of Blasphemy

Speaking of the Sacred in an Age of Human Rights

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity, Church, Church & State, Philosophy, Political, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, International Relations
Cover of the book The Future of Blasphemy by Dr Austin Dacey, Bloomsbury Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Dr Austin Dacey ISBN: 9781441101785
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Publication: January 26, 2012
Imprint: Continuum Language: English
Author: Dr Austin Dacey
ISBN: 9781441101785
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication: January 26, 2012
Imprint: Continuum
Language: English

In the days of Moses, blasphemy was the mortal offence of failing to respect the divine. In an age of human rights, blasphemy is understood as a failure to respect persons, as insult, defamation, or "advocacy of religious hatred." The criminalisation of this personal blasphemy has been advanced at the United Nations and upheld by the European Court of Human Rights, which has asserted a universal "right to respect for religious feelings."

 

The Future of Blasphemy turns respect on its head. Respect demands that we grant each other equal standing in the moral community, not that we never offend. Politically, respect for citizens requires a public discourse that is open to all viewpoints. Going beyond the question of free speech versus religion, The Future of Blasphemy defends an ethical model of blasphemy. Controversies surrounding sacrilege are contests over what counts as sacred, disagreements about what has central, inviolable, and incommensurable value. In such public contestation of the sacred, each of us-secular and religious alike-has equal right to speak on its behalf.

 

 

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In the days of Moses, blasphemy was the mortal offence of failing to respect the divine. In an age of human rights, blasphemy is understood as a failure to respect persons, as insult, defamation, or "advocacy of religious hatred." The criminalisation of this personal blasphemy has been advanced at the United Nations and upheld by the European Court of Human Rights, which has asserted a universal "right to respect for religious feelings."

 

The Future of Blasphemy turns respect on its head. Respect demands that we grant each other equal standing in the moral community, not that we never offend. Politically, respect for citizens requires a public discourse that is open to all viewpoints. Going beyond the question of free speech versus religion, The Future of Blasphemy defends an ethical model of blasphemy. Controversies surrounding sacrilege are contests over what counts as sacred, disagreements about what has central, inviolable, and incommensurable value. In such public contestation of the sacred, each of us-secular and religious alike-has equal right to speak on its behalf.

 

 

More books from Bloomsbury Publishing

Cover of the book Stereotyping Religion by Dr Austin Dacey
Cover of the book US Flamethrower Tanks of World War II by Dr Austin Dacey
Cover of the book The Rolling Stones' Some Girls by Dr Austin Dacey
Cover of the book Reeds Introductions: Physics Wave Concepts for Marine Engineering Applications by Dr Austin Dacey
Cover of the book My Side of the Story by Dr Austin Dacey
Cover of the book Empires at War by Dr Austin Dacey
Cover of the book Beirut, Imagining the City by Dr Austin Dacey
Cover of the book Have You Heard by Dr Austin Dacey
Cover of the book U2 and the Religious Impulse by Dr Austin Dacey
Cover of the book US Special Warfare Units in the Pacific Theater 1941–45 by Dr Austin Dacey
Cover of the book Leave Me Alone with the Recipes by Dr Austin Dacey
Cover of the book The Chaos of Now by Dr Austin Dacey
Cover of the book Monsieur X by Dr Austin Dacey
Cover of the book Wolf Children by Dr Austin Dacey
Cover of the book Home Fires by Dr Austin Dacey
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy