Bill > S1251

This bill seeks to repeal Section 36 of Chapter 272 in the Massachusetts General Laws, which currently criminalizes blasphemy. While the specific details of the existing blasphemy law are not provided in the bill text, the proposed legislation would eliminate this criminal statute, effectively decriminalizing speech that might have previously been considered blasphemous. Blasphemy typically refers to words or actions that speak disrespectfully about God or sacred things, and such laws have historically been used to punish speech deemed offensive to religious sensibilities. By repealing this section of the law, the bill would remove a potential legal mechanism for prosecuting individuals based on their religious critique or expression, aligning with broader principles of free speech protection. The bill is straightforward, with a single section that simply calls for the complete removal of the existing blasphemy provision from the Massachusetts General Laws.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1251