blasphemy
Cursing the divine
Blasphemy is speech or action that insults or shows contempt for God or sacred things.
In religious contexts, it's a serious sin; in some countries, a crime.
The word extends to any irreverent treatment of something held sacred: To a jazz purist, smooth jazz is blasphemy.
The adjective is blasphemous; to commit blasphemy is to blaspheme.
Violation of the hallowed
- profanityVulgar or obscene speech
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
- apostasyRenunciation of former beliefs
- impietyIrreverence toward the divine
desecration · profanation · irreverence · godlessness · ungodliness · sinfulness · wickedness · iniquity
Scornful ridicule or travesty
- scoffingMocking with contempt
- ridiculeContemptuous mocking treatment
- derisionContemptuous mockery
- contemptDisdainful disregard
disrespect · insolence · impudence · sacrilege · flippancy · scorn · disdain · satire
Renunciation of former beliefs
- unorthodoxyDeparture from accepted belief
- heterodoxyUnorthodox belief or opinion
- dissentDisagreement with authority
- schismFormal organizational fracture
sectarianism · iconoclasm · infidelity · freethinking · agnosticism · atheism · paganism · idolatry
Challenger of official doctrine
- infidelNonbeliever in another's creed
- apostateOne who renounces faith
- dissenterOpponent of orthodoxy
- martyrVictim for beliefs
martyrdom · inquisition · excommunication · anathema · burning · stoning · execution · trial
Using profane language
- swearingProfane speech or vows
- profanityVulgar or obscene speech
- obscenityIndecent word or act
- expletiveProfane emotional utterance
invective · vituperation · malediction · imprecation · oath · execration · denunciation · tirade
Not allowed
- sacrosanctRegarded as too important to alter
- untouchableExempt from criticism or harm
- unspeakableBeyond verbal expression
- stigmaMark of dishonor
transgression · violation · offense · outrage · scandal · affront · insult · indecency
Person who breaks laws
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
- censorshipOfficial content restriction
- prohibitionAuthoritative legal ban
- offenseViolation or umbrage
penalty · imprisonment · fine · sedition · lèse-majesté · hate speech
sacrilege
Violation of the hallowed
- profanityVulgar or obscene speech
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
- apostasyRenunciation of former beliefs
impiety · desecration · profanation · irreverence · godlessness · ungodliness · sinfulness · wickedness · iniquity · transgression
mockery
Scornful ridicule or travesty
contempt · disrespect · insolence · impudence · sacrilege · flippancy · scorn · disdain · satire · lampooning
apostasy
Renunciation of former beliefs
- unorthodoxyDeparture from accepted belief
- heterodoxyUnorthodox belief or opinion
- dissentDisagreement with authority
schism · sectarianism · iconoclasm · infidelity · freethinking · agnosticism · atheism · paganism · idolatry · nonconformity
heretic
Challenger of official doctrine
martyr · martyrdom · inquisition · excommunication · anathema · burning · stoning · execution · trial · accusation
cursing
Using profane language
expletive · invective · vituperation · malediction · imprecation · oath · execration · denunciation · tirade · slander
forbidden
Not allowed
- sacrosanctRegarded as too important to alter
- untouchableExempt from criticism or harm
- unspeakableBeyond verbal expression
stigma · transgression · violation · offense · outrage · scandal · affront · insult · indecency · impropriety
criminal
Person who breaks laws
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
- censorshipOfficial content restriction
- prohibitionAuthoritative legal ban
offense · penalty · imprisonment · fine · sedition · lèse-majesté · hate speech
- Biblical Englishthou, thee, thy, thine, ye
- heresyheretic, heretical, heretics, apostasy, apostate
- Mosaic lawMoses, Mosaic law, Ten Commandments, tablets of stone, commandment
- Religious Debatespredestination, trinity, transubstantiation, original sin, justification
- sectarianismsectarianism, sectarian, sect, schism, schismatic
- sacrilegedesecration, profanation, idol worship, idolatry, cursing God
blasphemyreverence
Profound admiring respect
veneration · worship · adoration · devotion · piety
blasphemypiety
Sincere religious devotion
godliness · holiness · sanctity · devoutness · religiousness
- blasphemy lawsProhibitions on religious insult
- blasphemy chargesFormal accusations of irreverence
blasphemous, blaspheme, blasphemer, blaspheming, blasphemies, blasphemed, blasphemers, blasphemes, blasphemously