Blasphemy
Blasphemy is forbidden by § 140 of the penal code:
- Anybody who publicly mocks or insults any in this country legally existing religious community tenets of faith or worship, will be punished by fine or imprisonment for up to 4 months.
However, there is very little legal tradition for actually punishing anyone for violating this article. Legal tradition seems to establish that debate and art are not punishable under the blasphemy-article. The article has not been used since 1938 when a Nazi group was convicted for antisemitic propaganda. The hate speech article (§266b) is used more frequently. Abolition of the blasphemy article was proposed in 1972-73 and again in 2004, but none of the proposals were adopted.
Read more about this topic: Freedom Of Speech And Freedom Of The Press In Denmark
Famous quotes containing the word blasphemy:
“All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.”
—Bible: New Testament Matthew 12:31.
“Long as I have lived, and many blasphemers as I have heard and seen, I have never yet heard or witnessed any direct and conscious blasphemy or irreverence; but of indirect and habitual, enough. Where is the man who is guilty of direct and personal insolence to Him that made him?”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“And it seems to me a blasphemy to say that the Holy Spirit is Love. In the Old Testament it is an Eagle: in the New it is a Dove. Christ insists on the Dove: but in His supreme moments He includes the Eagle.”
—D.H. (David Herbert)