Concluding remarks1

Abstract

The blasphemy laws that are used in court are more specific, and reflect the religio-political power structure on the ground. Blasphemy laws are usually designed to protect one religion, that is, the preferred religion of the state. Unlike religious law, where God is the lawmaker and upholder of social peace, the legal systems of modern states do not allow for divine agency and God cannot be logically recognized a legal subject – only religious organizations and religious individuals have a status as subject in law. Blasphemy accusations have a clear local dimension. Usually they are triggered by a local incident, but gain force as the notoriety of the blasphemer and the blasphemous transgression grows. Blasphemy laws seem to be an effective way of bolstering the regime’s legitimacy in authoritarian or nominally democratic states. The increase in blasphemy controversies in these countries can be seen as attempts to use religion to conjure support among the majority population.