Insulting the religious feelings of Christians – German context Cover Image
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Obrażanie uczuć religijnych chrześcijan – kontekst niemiecki
Insulting the religious feelings of Christians – German context

Author(s): Robert Maszkowski
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Theology and Religion
Published by: Księgarnia Świętego Jacka
Keywords: Section 166 of the German Penal Code; freedom of speech; freedom of religion; offence against religious feelings

Summary/Abstract: In a pluralistic society that is secularizing and moving away from the foundations of Christianity, such as the society of Germany, there will be tensions and conflicts between the right to freedom of expression and the right to freedom of religion. For this reason, it is debatable whether and to what extent it is possible to restrict the former freedom in favor of respect for the latter. The legal arrangements in Germany regulate this issue quite explicitly and do not so much protect the religious feelings of believers as the preservation of social order. This criterion leads to different decisions in individual disputes. It can be noted that one of the important factors influencing the judgment of the institution of law is often the strength of the expression of one’s disapproval of offending religious feelings, which is less frequent, and certainly weaker, on the side of Christians. The depictions of their contents, symbols and holy figures that offend Christians have more often received insufficient attention from the media and the judiciary than has been the case with other religions. Perhaps this was due to the insufficient voice of outrage in contrast to the followers of Judaism and Islam, who unite in protest and speak with one voice.

  • Issue Year: 2023
  • Issue No: 19
  • Page Range: 59-73
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Polish