Binding: Paperback
Description: In a world where not everyone believes in God 'blasphemy is surely a concept that has passed its use - by - date. And yet blasphemy (like God and religion) seems to be on the rise. In this Very Short Introduction Yvonne Sherwood asks why this should be the case looking at factors such as the increased visibility of religious and racial minorities new media and engines of surveillance (which are far more omniscient than the old gods could ever be) and the legacies of colonial blasphemy laws. Throughout Sherwood uncovers new histories from the story of accidentally blasphemous cartoons to the close associations between blasphemy sex and birth control. She also argues that blasphemy itself involves an inherent contradiction in imagining the divine as an entity that must be revered above all yet also a being that could possibly be hurt by anything that happens in the merely human sphere. Unpicking some of the most famous cases of blasphemy Sherwood also looks at obscure instances asking why some 'blasphemies have become infamous while others have disappeared. Very Short Introductions: Brilliant Sharp Inspiring About THE Series: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket - sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts analysis perspective new ideas and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Title: Blasphemy: A Very Short Introduction
Author(s): Sherwood Yvonne (Professor Of Religious Studies Professor Of Religious Studies University Of Kent)
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Barcode: 9780198797579
Pages: 160 Pages, 18 Black And White Images
Publication Date: 11/1/2021
Series: Very Short Introductions
Category: Society & Culture: General