Abstract

Some may consider the title outdated. It's a conscious choice, even if blasphemy no longer has the same relevance in modern societies, where religion is confined mainly to the private sphere. The study of blasphemy in various religious traditions teaches us that it is not simply a matter of uttering insults in the absence of the concerned person, namely the divine. It is a sin of the tongue, with social and even political dimensions. Secularization and the often uneasy coexistence of religions have led to an epistemic shift from blasphemy to hate speech against the adherents of a given tradition. Not insulting others because of their convictions becomes an instrument of social cohesion and bolstering political power. The correct use of speech is not just a matter of etiquette or decency but also of the moral obligation to respect the equal dignity of all human beings. As early as the Christian Middle Ages, several theologians articulated ethical principles revolving around the proper guard of the tongue. This ethics of speech immerses us in a universe that goes beyond the frontiers of blasphemy. Their insights and the classification of the sins of the tongue they present can be used to highlight the standards by which hate speech and the culture of banishment should be judged.