BLASPHEMY

(Yunanca köken — orijinale bakınız.) According to its supposed etymology signifies the offence of using injurious language. as calumny, reviling, <fec.; and in this sense it is used b the New Testament; the word "rail in irs," in 1 Tim. vi. 4. being in the original " blasphemies." But in the modern and restricted sense, " blasphemy" signifies the use of insulting,or derogatory, or unbelieving language, with respect to God and divine things. Under this meaning it has been considered a civil crime in most Christian countries, in imitation of the practice which prevailed among the Jews. (Levit. xxix.) In England, by common law, it was punishable with fine, imprisonment, and other corporal punishment. By 9 W. 3. c. 35. it was first made a statutable offence, and extended so as to comprehend even the mere denial of some fundamental doctrines of Christianity;and subjected to very severe inflictions. Unitarians were relieved from the penalties of this act by 3 G. 3. c. 170. But it is almost obsolete in practice with respect to other offenders. [s. 164]