Don't Blaspheme!!!

[Norton]

Very nice, Jaden! Even as a non-believer, I know the Bible has some very good advice in it. I wish more Christians would take that scripture to heart.

[Jaden]

Speaking as a Christian, I hold to 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, which basically says (as a summary) "You can't judge people outside of the church." So I wouldn't be offended if a non-Christian blasphemed around me.

[anriana]

None of those examples would be discrimination. Rude, possibly harassment if it was ongoing, yes, but not discrimination.


As for the xtian example, I highly doubt the offensive person said "Oh my Yahweh!"

[Amethyst Hunter]

Not blasphemous, but maybe just inconsiderate?

[Rapscallion]

Much of this can depend on the person being offended. I would imagine that a Jainist who protested that you were spraying insects out of your garden would get pretty short shrift. It's pretty hard to live with those aphids (unless you are me and close your curtains...), but it's worthy to note that if you say a certain word is offensive then it's far less of a bind to avoid it.

There's also the critical mass involved. If one or two people share a belief, then it won't impact on others so much. However, if a region has a large percentage of their population of the same faith, then laws are enacted - witchcraft laws in the UK, for example. The UK blasphemy laws were only there to protect the christian faith and not the jewish or muslim religions. I know there was a brouhaha about it a little while back, but I don't remember the outcome.

In the above example, if the person isn't a christian, why are they invoking the name of the christian deity? I'd put that down to social conditioning.

Rapscallion

[Slytovhand]

Hey.

I just thought I'd throw this one into the ring and see how it fares...

At work a month or 2 ago, someone made a comment, which was overheard by on of the more obvious christians. She responded with "Don't take the lord's name in vain - it's blasphemy".

The alleged blasphemer replied by saying that they weren't christian, so it's not 'my lord' to take in vain, so there is no blasphemy, go stick it (perhaps not an exact quote..)


So - here's my thoughts/question....

Can it be blasphemy, and if it continued, would it be a form of religious vilification or discrimination (or something similar). What if the person (or others) continue to 'blaspheme') and is overheard?

Now - I want to compare and contrast, which is why the point is being made.

Hinduism holds that cows are a sacred animal, and thus are not allowed to be harmed in anyway - particularly killed. If the above is a form of blasphemy, then surely eating a roast beef sandwich in front of a Hindu is just as blasphemous, and thus should merit the same sort of official response (remembering - this is at work). The reply might be - that is being seen... so what about the emails sent out from the canteen with today's dishes... Beef Stroganof anyone?

One of our staff members (maybe more..??) is a Jainist.. so the harming of all animals is right out - all life is sacred. Do their beliefs just have to be squashed, and they have to just tolerate it, because basically - it's inconvenient?


Thoughts anyone?


Slyt

(oh - in case it's not enough of a 'fratch' because it doesn't directly involve me, as a pagan, my beliefs get walked over often enough that I bring this up. Halloween?? A mockery of a high holy day...)