Tension
often exists between political freedom, particularly freedom of speech, and
certain examples of art, literature, speech or other acts considered by some to
be sacrilegious or blasphemous. The extent to which this tension has not been
resolved is manifested in numerous instances of controversy and conflict around
the world.
Although
many laws prohibiting blasphemy have long been repealed, particularly in the
West, they remain in place in many countries and jurisdictions (see Blasphemy
laws). In some cases such laws are still on the books, but are no longer
actively enforced.
The issue of
freedom of speech versus blasphemy cannot be seen in isolation from the role of
religion as a source of political power in some societies. In such a society,
to blaspheme is to threaten not only a religion, but also the entire political
power order of the society, and hence, the official punishments (and popular
responses to blasphemy) tend to be more severe and violent.
A
non-exhaustive list of modern incidents which have led to public
outcries,persecution, calls for murder, or other forms of repression are set
out below.
