There’s an interesting question here in how blasphemy laws might discourage religious innovation. The bullshitter of thirteen centuries back is somewhat protected from anyone from this decade who might seek to steal his crown…
Except, of course, that under such laws the trick is simply to declare yourself the traditionalist, and swear up and down whichever axes you grind are indeed supported by ancient writ. However parochial or contemporary might be your ambition. And Jesus wants us to have handguns, and Yahweh wants us to have nukes…
So, really, all the laws guarantee, I expect, is continued lip service to properly established fantasists…
But it’s reassuring, I guess, at least, to know that iron age nonsenses will never entirely lose their cachet. And so we guarantee continuity, so much as we can.
Re #2: lately, that’s the only meaning I’ve found has much utility…
On a lighter note, I keep thinking we should be able to make this concept work better. Given that, in fact, such innovation is continual, the trick is to convince people that, actually, what holy writ X is saying is: ignore this writ. And the punishment for ‘blasphemy’ should be whisky shooters…
(And to any who blaspheme against this sacred word: what? Are you a heathen? Lining ’em up, now…)
Kimpatsusays
I just made this my Facebook profile picture. Screw the Burmese bastards.
That’s actually kinda rockin’.
There’s an interesting question here in how blasphemy laws might discourage religious innovation. The bullshitter of thirteen centuries back is somewhat protected from anyone from this decade who might seek to steal his crown…
Except, of course, that under such laws the trick is simply to declare yourself the traditionalist, and swear up and down whichever axes you grind are indeed supported by ancient writ. However parochial or contemporary might be your ambition. And Jesus wants us to have handguns, and Yahweh wants us to have nukes…
So, really, all the laws guarantee, I expect, is continued lip service to properly established fantasists…
But it’s reassuring, I guess, at least, to know that iron age nonsenses will never entirely lose their cachet. And so we guarantee continuity, so much as we can.
For a very special meaning of “reassuring” which is more like “terrifying” or “despair-inducing.”
Re #2: lately, that’s the only meaning I’ve found has much utility…
On a lighter note, I keep thinking we should be able to make this concept work better. Given that, in fact, such innovation is continual, the trick is to convince people that, actually, what holy writ X is saying is: ignore this writ. And the punishment for ‘blasphemy’ should be whisky shooters…
(And to any who blaspheme against this sacred word: what? Are you a heathen? Lining ’em up, now…)
I just made this my Facebook profile picture. Screw the Burmese bastards.