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Blasphemy Ancient & Modern, 30 Jul 2003
In this very brief book, Nicolas Walter gives a definition of what the "crimes" of blasphemy and heresy are, a short overview of the history of heresy and blasphemy in Europe, and a more detailed history of heresy and blasphemy in Britain. He ends the book with a short look at two case studies: first, the poem "The Love That Dares To Speak Its Name" by James Kirkup, published in Gay News, which lead to the first blasphemy trial in Britain in 55 years; and second, the uproar caused by Muslim fanatics over Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses. Walter then concludes the book with definite arguments why the blasphemy law in Britain should be abolished.
Walter concentrates mostly on Christianity, naturally enough, but he also touches on Islam here and there. Most of the book is given to the historical development of the blasphemy law in Britain, and very little is said about blasphemy in other countries. The extreme brevity of the book necessitates a curt style of writing, and large sections of the text are little more than lists of names and dates, when so-and-so was persecuted for this-and-that. Nevertheless, the subject matter is interesting, and the book serves as a source and starting point for further research about many obscure and largely forgotten freethinkers of the past. Some blasphemous quotes from famous writers are also given. Walter writes clearly and lucidly, and despite the large amount of information crammed into the short book, the text is easy to read and follow.
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(1 customer review)
