Blasphemies Compared: Transgressive Speech in a Globalised World

This book explores the historical and contemporary expressions of blasphemy across the world, examining how religious and political authorities use ideas about blasphemy as a means of control. It utilizes case studies from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia to explore the historical roots, political implications, and religious rationale of attitudes towards blasphemy, and will be of great use to academics in Religious Studies, the Sociology of Religion, Political Science, Media Studies, and History.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 284 pages
\n Publication date: 30 November 2020
\n Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
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This comprehensive volume delves into the intricate tapestry of historical developments and contemporary expressions of blasphemy across the globe. The transgression of religious boundaries, a profound violation of sacred norms, elicits varying degrees of severe sanctions within diverse religious traditions. This insightful book explores the strategic utilization of ideas surrounding blasphemy by religious and political authorities as a means of control. In our increasingly interconnected world, where people of different faiths engage in unprecedented intermingling and worldviews assume paramount significance in identity politics, religious boundaries become a focal point of controversy.

This book stands apart from many others in its field by expanding its purview beyond the mere legal dimensions of freedom of expression. Instead, it approaches blasphemy as a form of effective speech, shedding light on real-life scenarios and raising crucial questions. Who are the blasphemers? Who are their accusers? And what purpose does blasphemy serve? Through a rich array of case studies drawn from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, encompassing a diverse spectrum of faith traditions, this book invites readers to gain a more nuanced understanding of the historical roots, political implications, and religious justifications behind attitudes toward blasphemy.

By seamlessly integrating historical and contemporary perspectives on blasphemy, this book offers invaluable insights to scholars in the fields of Religious Studies, Sociology of Religion, Political Science, Media Studies, and History. It serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to unravel the complex dynamics surrounding this contentious topic and gain a deeper appreciation of its multifaceted implications.

\n Weight: 590g\n
Dimension: 162 x 241 x 25 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780367254223\n \n