By David Nash

* Investigates the nature of religion in modern world, the issue of tolerance and the recognition of belief as an important identity * A groundbreaking examination of blasphemy\'s victims looking at reactions to this crime * Traces the changing perception of blasphemy in society from the medieval period to the modern day

David Nash\'s new study focuses on the development of blasphemy in the Christian world. Tracing the subject from the Middle Ages to the present, he outlines the history of blasphemy as a concept, from a species of heresy to modern understandings of it as a crime against the sacred and individual religious identity. Investigating its appearance in speech, literature, popular publishing and the cinema, he disinters the likely motives and agendas of blasphemers themselves, as well as offering a glimpse of blasphemy\'s victims. In particular, he seeks to understand why this seemingly medieval offence has reappeared to become a distinctly modern presence in the West.

Readership: Scholars and students of religious studies, history and law; general readers interested in the history of blasphemy.

Published Year: 2007 Format: Hard Back ISBN: 978-0-19-925516-0 Publisher: Oxford University Press No of Pages: 288 Our Price: £ 35.00 Reviews: 0 reivew(s).

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