Is Blasphemy Illiberal? Salman Rushdie's thoroughly modern controversies.

The article examines the evolving concept of blasphemy, tracing its transformation from a religious offense against God to a modern legal and cultural issue centered on protecting the feelings of religious communities in pluralistic societies. It highlights key historical moments, including the last English blasphemy conviction in 1977 for publishing an erotic poem about Christ, and the global controversy surrounding Salman Rushdie’s 1988 novel *The Satanic Verses*, which led to a fatwa and a violent attack on Rushdie decades later. The discussion addresses the tension between free expression and respect for religious sensitivities, noting how blasphemy laws have been shaped by multicultural considerations and concerns about public order, while also exploring blasphemy’s role as a form of protest and emancipation for marginalized groups. The article underscores the complexity of blasphemy in contemporary societies, where sacred symbols are contested by both believers and skeptics.