Manfred Van H.

Manfred Van H.

Blasphemy law is law relating to blasphemy, or irreverence toward holy personages, religious artifacts, customs, and beliefs.

Some countries, especially countries which have Islam as the state religion, regard blasphemy as a serious offence. Pakistan, for example, has legislation which makes execution a penalty for blasphemy.

In place of or in addition to prohibitions against blasphemy, some countries have laws which give redress to those who feel insulted on account of their religion. These laws forbid hate speech, the vilification of religion, or "religious insult".

In some countries, blasphemy is not a crime. In the United States of America, for example, a prosecution for blasphemy would violate the Constitution according to the decision in Joseph Burstyn, Inc v. Wilson. The United Kingdom abolished its laws in England and Wales against blasphemy in 2008. In Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has recommended that countries enact laws that protect the freedom of expression.

Read more about Manfred Van H.:  Afghanistan, Algeria, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Denmark, Egypt, European Initiatives, Finland, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Yemen, Others

Famous quotes containing the words manfred and/or van:

    “In short, Isabella, since I cannot give you my son, I offer you myself.” -- “Heavens!” cried Isabella ... “what do I hear! You, my lord! You! my father in law! the father of Conrad! the husband of the virtuous and tender Hippolita!” -- “I tell you,” said Manfred imperiously, “Hippolita is no longer my wife; I divorce her from this hour.”
    Horace Walpole (1717–1797)

    It is not a certain conformity of manners that the painting of Van Gogh attacks, but rather the conformity of institutions themselves. And even external nature, with her climates, her tides, and her equinoctial storms, cannot, after van Gogh’s stay upon earth, maintain the same gravitation.
    Antonin Artaud (1896–1948)