Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

timeandmotion

(1 post)
6. Yes
Sat Jan 11, 2014, 07:32 PM
Jan 2014

Your question is a little difficult to answer, since the example you are giving is not one of blasphemy - Buddhists do kill people for not being Buddhists, as we have seen in Burma and Sri Lanka recently - they may be committing a sin according to their religion, but it isn't blasphemy anymore than it would be for a Christian who breaks the commandment against killing. Blasphemy is the act of speaking or acting disrespectfully toward something that is considered sacred by someone, and this may be classified as a crime in some countries. For example, in Thailand, if you were to do something like step on a statue of the Buddha in Thailand, you would be liable for criminal prosecution under section 206 of their penal code, which reads: "Whoever, to do, by any means whatever, to the object or place of religious worship of any group of persons in the manner likely to insult such religion, shall be imprisoned as from two years to seven years or fined as from two thousand Baht to fourteen thousand Baht, or both." Non Buddhists are not even allowed to take statues of the Buddha out of Thailand - my understanding is that someone tried smuggling heroin out in one, which the Thais would very definitely consider an outrageous act of blasphemy.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

No. You would just be an asshole. OffWithTheirHeads Jan 2012 #1
ring, ring YankeyMCC Jan 2014 #7
No, it wouldn't be blasphemy. white_wolf Jan 2012 #2
No. ellisonz Jan 2012 #3
No obamanut2012 Jan 2012 #4
I don't think Newest Reality Jan 2012 #5
Yes timeandmotion Jan 2014 #6
I would say that blasphemy would be considered wrong speech in the eight fold path and liberal_at_heart Jan 2014 #8
Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»Buddhism»According to your opinion...»Reply #6