Blasphemy and Freedom of Expression: Comparative, Theoretical and Historical Reflections After the Charlie Hebdo Massacre
Cambridge et al.: Cambridge University Press (2017), xix, 740 pp.
Contains index
ISBN 978-1-108-41691-7 (hbk); 978-1-108-24218-9 (ebook)
"The tension between blasphemy laws and the freedom of expression in modern times is a key area of debate within legal academia and beyond. With contributions by leading scholars, this volume compares blasphemy laws within a number of Western liberal democracies and debates the legitimacy of these laws in the twenty- first century. Including comprehensive and up-to-date comparative country studies, this book considers the formulation of blasphemy bans, relevant jurisprudential interpretations, the effect on society, and the ensuing convictions and penalties where applicable. It provides a useful historical analysis by discussing the legal-political rationales behind the recent abolition of blasphemy laws in some Western states. Contributors also consider the challenges to the tenability of blasphemy laws in a selection of well- balanced theoretical chapters. This book is essential reading for scholars working within the fields of human rights law, philosophy and sociology of religion and comparative politics." (Publisher description)
Introduction / András Koltay & Jeroen Temperman, 1
PART I: THE CASE OF CHARLIE HEBDO
1 Blasphemy in French Law: From the Chevalier de la Barre to Charlie Hebdo / Guilhem Gil, 25
2 Blasphemy and Defamation of Religion Following Charlie Hebdo / Neville Cox, 53
PART II: THE RIGHT TO BLASPHEME
3 Blasphemy, the Public Sphere and Democratic Self- Government / Ian Cram, 87
4 The Right to Blaspheme / Mark Hill QC & Russell Sandberg, 114
PART III: ON WESTERN LEGAL DISCOURSE AGAINST BLASPHEMY LAWS
5 Blasphemy, Freedom of Expression and the Protection of Religious Sensibilities in Twenty-First-Century Europe / Peter Cumper, 137
6 Rethinking Blasphemy and Anti-Blasphemy Laws / Robert A. Kahn, 167
7 Blasphemy, Defamation of Religion and Religious Hate Speech: Is There a Difference That Makes a Difference? / John C. Knechtle, 194
8 The Freedom and Restriction of Blasphemy: Theoretical Perspectives / András Koltay, 223
PART IV: EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND BLASPHEMY
9 At the Deep End of the Pool: Religious Offence, Debate Speech and the Margin of Appreciation before the European Court of Human Rights / Tom Lewis, 259
10 ' Mother of God, Drive Putin Away ': On Blasphemy and Activist Art in the Jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights / Jeroen Temperman, 294
PART V: ACTIVE BLASPHEMY/ RELIGIOUS DEFAMATION LAWS
11 Religious Insult and Blasphemy in Contemporary Finland / Tuomas Äystö, 317
12 The Blasphemy Offence in the Italian Legal System / Cristiana Cianitto, 339
13 Legal Protection of Religion in Germany / Matthias Cornils, 358
14 God 's Advocates: The Multiple Fronts of the War on Blasphemy in Greece / Effie Fokas, 389
15 Blasphemy Law in Poland / Joanna Kulesza & Jan Kulesza, 411
PART VI: DORMANT BLASPHEMY LAWS
16 The Blasphemy Ban in Denmark / Lars Grassm é Binderup & Eva Maria Lassen, 431
17 A Draft Obituary for the Offence of Blasphemy in Ireland / Tarlach McGonagle, 456
18 Religion and Hate Speech in Canada: The Difficulty in Separating Attacks on Beliefs from Attacks on Believers / Richard Moon, 480
19 Blasphemy in Australia: The Rags and Remnants of Persecution? / Helen Pringle, 510
20 Blasphemy Prohibitions and Prosecutions: A US Perspective / Russell L. Weaver, 534
PART VII: RECENTLY ABROGATED BLASPHEMY LAWS
21 Giving Up the Ghost: On the Decline and Fall of Norwegian Anti- Blasphemy Legislation / Helge Årsheim, 553
22 The Theory and Practice of Blasphemy in the Common Law: Slaying the Seven-Headed Beast / Ivan Hare, 576
23 Freedom of Expression, Blasphemy and Religious Hatred: A View from the United Kingdom / Erica Howard, 595
24 The Rise and Fall of the Offence of Blasphemy in the Netherlands / Esther Janssen, 619
PART VIII: THE FUTURE OF BLASPHEMY LAWS?
25 Freedom of Expression and Religions, the United Nations and the '16/ 18 Process', Marc Limon, Nazila Ghanea & Hilary Power, 645
26 Blasphemy, Religious Rights and Harassment: A Workplace Study / Andrew Hambler, 681
27 Towards an Understanding of Accelerants and Decelerants: A Non-Juriscentric Approach to Offensive or Hateful Speech Concerning Religion / Brett G. Scharffs, 701
PART I: THE CASE OF CHARLIE HEBDO
1 Blasphemy in French Law: From the Chevalier de la Barre to Charlie Hebdo / Guilhem Gil, 25
2 Blasphemy and Defamation of Religion Following Charlie Hebdo / Neville Cox, 53
PART II: THE RIGHT TO BLASPHEME
3 Blasphemy, the Public Sphere and Democratic Self- Government / Ian Cram, 87
4 The Right to Blaspheme / Mark Hill QC & Russell Sandberg, 114
PART III: ON WESTERN LEGAL DISCOURSE AGAINST BLASPHEMY LAWS
5 Blasphemy, Freedom of Expression and the Protection of Religious Sensibilities in Twenty-First-Century Europe / Peter Cumper, 137
6 Rethinking Blasphemy and Anti-Blasphemy Laws / Robert A. Kahn, 167
7 Blasphemy, Defamation of Religion and Religious Hate Speech: Is There a Difference That Makes a Difference? / John C. Knechtle, 194
8 The Freedom and Restriction of Blasphemy: Theoretical Perspectives / András Koltay, 223
PART IV: EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND BLASPHEMY
9 At the Deep End of the Pool: Religious Offence, Debate Speech and the Margin of Appreciation before the European Court of Human Rights / Tom Lewis, 259
10 ' Mother of God, Drive Putin Away ': On Blasphemy and Activist Art in the Jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights / Jeroen Temperman, 294
PART V: ACTIVE BLASPHEMY/ RELIGIOUS DEFAMATION LAWS
11 Religious Insult and Blasphemy in Contemporary Finland / Tuomas Äystö, 317
12 The Blasphemy Offence in the Italian Legal System / Cristiana Cianitto, 339
13 Legal Protection of Religion in Germany / Matthias Cornils, 358
14 God 's Advocates: The Multiple Fronts of the War on Blasphemy in Greece / Effie Fokas, 389
15 Blasphemy Law in Poland / Joanna Kulesza & Jan Kulesza, 411
PART VI: DORMANT BLASPHEMY LAWS
16 The Blasphemy Ban in Denmark / Lars Grassm é Binderup & Eva Maria Lassen, 431
17 A Draft Obituary for the Offence of Blasphemy in Ireland / Tarlach McGonagle, 456
18 Religion and Hate Speech in Canada: The Difficulty in Separating Attacks on Beliefs from Attacks on Believers / Richard Moon, 480
19 Blasphemy in Australia: The Rags and Remnants of Persecution? / Helen Pringle, 510
20 Blasphemy Prohibitions and Prosecutions: A US Perspective / Russell L. Weaver, 534
PART VII: RECENTLY ABROGATED BLASPHEMY LAWS
21 Giving Up the Ghost: On the Decline and Fall of Norwegian Anti- Blasphemy Legislation / Helge Årsheim, 553
22 The Theory and Practice of Blasphemy in the Common Law: Slaying the Seven-Headed Beast / Ivan Hare, 576
23 Freedom of Expression, Blasphemy and Religious Hatred: A View from the United Kingdom / Erica Howard, 595
24 The Rise and Fall of the Offence of Blasphemy in the Netherlands / Esther Janssen, 619
PART VIII: THE FUTURE OF BLASPHEMY LAWS?
25 Freedom of Expression and Religions, the United Nations and the '16/ 18 Process', Marc Limon, Nazila Ghanea & Hilary Power, 645
26 Blasphemy, Religious Rights and Harassment: A Workplace Study / Andrew Hambler, 681
27 Towards an Understanding of Accelerants and Decelerants: A Non-Juriscentric Approach to Offensive or Hateful Speech Concerning Religion / Brett G. Scharffs, 701
