Blasphemy: Verbal Offense Against the Sacred from Moses to Salman Rushdie

Blasphemy chronicles the history of religious offense and its punishment from ancient times through the modern era. The book examines cases of verbal attacks against religions across different cultures and time periods, with a focus on Western civilization. The text moves through key historical periods including Biblical times, the Middle Ages, the Protestant Reformation, and the founding of America. Levy analyzes the evolution of blasphemy laws and their enforcement, documenting notable trials and controversies up through the Salman Rushdie affair in the late 20th century. The extensive research draws from historical records, legal documents, theological writings, and firsthand accounts. Each chapter provides context for understanding how societies defined and responded to perceived attacks on religious beliefs and institutions. This comprehensive study reveals the tensions between religious orthodoxy and free expression that have shaped human civilization. The work raises fundamental questions about the limits of speech and the role of the sacred in public life.

Readers note this book takes an academic approach to examining blasphemy laws and cases throughout history. On forums and review sites, scholars and history enthusiasts comment on Levy's thorough research and documentation, particularly of American colonial and early U.S. cases. Positives from readers: - Clear chronological organization - Extensive primary source citations - Balanced treatment of different religious perspectives - Analysis of lesser-known historical cases Criticisms: - Dense, dry academic writing style - Too much focus on legal details vs social context - Limited coverage of non-Western examples - Needs more modern cases post-1989 Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (6 ratings) JSTOR: Referenced in 157 academic papers One academic reviewer on H-Net called it "exhaustively researched but narrowly focused on Anglo-American legal traditions." A Goodreads reviewer noted it "reads more like a legal textbook than social history."

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🔹 Leonard W. Levy won the Pulitzer Prize in History for his 1968 book "Origins of the Fifth Amendment," demonstrating his expertise in legal and constitutional history before tackling the subject of blasphemy. 🔹 The book traces nearly 4,000 years of blasphemy laws and cases, from ancient Jewish traditions through medieval Christian Europe to modern-day controversies like the Salman Rushdie affair. 🔹 Massachusetts was the last state in America to repeal its blasphemy laws in the 20th century, finally doing so in 1978 – this significant milestone is covered in detail in Levy's analysis. 🔹 Levy reveals that Thomas Jefferson, despite being a champion of religious freedom, supported keeping blasphemy laws on the books as a means of maintaining public order. 🔹 The author explores how the concept of blasphemy has evolved from a purely religious offense to encompass broader cultural taboos, examining how different societies define and punish "sacred" violations.