Resources: Talking point - Should people be allowed to blaspheme?

Blasphemy can be words or actions that offend religious people. Instead of praising and being respectful towards God, as believers in a religion do, blasphemers speak critically, even abusively, of God, or show God in a disrespectful way.

With plays and television shows, it is sometimes said that people who are likely to be offended ought not to watch it. This was not enough for the Sikhs who protested against the Birmingham Repertory Theatre production of Behzti, which depicts murder and sex abuse in a temple. It was cancelled on safety grounds after protesters clashed with police. Nor was it enough for the Christians who made threats following the broadcasting of Jerry Springer - The Opera on the BBC. Discuss why offensive performances matter to people who don't have to watch them.