Conference yukon::christian_v7

902.0. "Blasphemy" by COVERT::COVERT (John R. Covert) Tue Jul 09 1996 19:11

Massachusetts G.L.C. 272 � 36.  Blasphemy

Whoever willfully blasphemes the holy name of God by denying, cursing or
contumeliously reproaching God, his creation, government or final judging
of the world, or by cursing or contumeliously reproaching Jesus Christ or
the Holy Ghost, or by cursing or contumeliously reproaching or exposing
to contempt and ridicule, the holy word of God contained in the holy
scriptures shall be punished by imprisonment in jail for not more than
one year or by a fine of not more than three hundred dollars, and may
also be bound to good behavior.

-----------------

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, in reviewing an indictment for
blasphemy for the following statement: "I ... believe that their God,
with all His moral attributes (aside from nature itself), is nothing
else than a chimera of their imagination," determined that the statute
is not violation of any provision in the Constitution of the state, or
in the Constitution of the United States.

The law does not prohibit the fullest inquiry and the freest discussion
for all honest and fair purposes and it does not prevent the simple and
sincere disavowal of a disbelief in the existence and attributes of a
supreme intelligent being.

Under this section, it is blasphemy to deny God's existence with an intent
to impair and destroy the veneration due to him, even if no words of
malediction, reproach, or contumely are used.  Commonwealth v. Kneeland,
37 Mass 206.

    Re: Note 902.0 by COVERT::COVERT
    
>Massachusetts G.L.C. 272 � 36.  Blasphemy
               ^^^^^^ Abbreviation expansion please?  Is this a law?
    
>Commonwealth v. Kneeland, 37 Mass 206.
                           ^^^^^^^^^^^  Is this a legal case reference?
    
    Do other states have similar laws?  Do other countries?
    
    James

GLC = General Laws Chapter.

nn Mass nnn

is a volume and reference in the records of cases before the Massachusetts
Supreme Judicial Court.

Yes, some other states, and some other countries (e.g. England) have
similar laws.

/john