Blasphemy in the Christian World

A History

David Nash author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Oxford University Press

Published:16th Sep '10

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Blasphemy in the Christian World cover

Tracing the subject from the Middle Ages to the present, David Nash outlines the history of blasphemy as a concept - from a species of heresy to modern understandings of it as a crime against the sacred and individual religious identity. Investigating its appearance in speech, literature, popular publishing and the cinema, he disinters the likely motives and agendas of blasphemers themselves, as well as offering a glimpse of blasphemy's victims. In particular, he seeks to understand why this seemingly medieval offence has reappeared to become a distinctly modern presence in the West.

Blasphemy in the Christian World offers additional persuasive evidence for religion's continued relevance by showing how the rediscovery of seemingly archaic blasphemy laws in Europe and and the America's challenges cherished...legal traditions of free speech and expression. * Gregory Halfond, The Historian *
Dr Nash's study offers a comparative and critical analysis of his subject on draws on a considerable range of evidence. * G. M Ditchfield, History, *
An important and scholarly analysis of an issue that is not going to go away. * Dr Bradley, Church Times *
An exciting and erudite study. * The Universe *
Discursive and thought-provoking book. * Jonathan Sumption, Literary Review *
The book is lucid and with both depth and width. * Jim Herrick, The Freethinker *
Nash's book...represents the definitive reference volume for the history of blasphemy in the West. * Elizabeth Horodowich The English Historical Review *
[An] impressive book... a rewarding work of history. * Jonathan Wright, Catholic Herald *
David Nash is the world's foremost commentator on the history of blasphemy. This astute, readable survey of the illuminating ironies of the subject deserves to become a classic. He ably and colourfully demonstrates the cynical and sincere use made of the notion of blasphemy by the very bad and the well-meaning. He points up the crucial political lessons to be learned, but never rams them down the reader's throat. This book will fascinate all interested in the uneasy relationship between state authority and individual freedom. * Charles Foster, Contemporary Review *

ISBN: 9780199570751

Dimensions: 233mm x 156mm x 17mm

Weight: 441g

288 pages