Interpretation and Application of Criminal Law Regarding Blasphemy Under Article 156a of the Criminal Code

The offense of blasphemy is complex and confusing due to its three distinct definitions: offense according to religion, offense against religion, and offense related to religion. This lack of clarity results in no clear boundaries for defining what constitutes blasphemy. This article explores the le...

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Main Authors: Pandi Frenecius Nainggolan, Rd Muhammad Ikhsan, Hamonangan Albariansyah, Jimmy Christiansen Sinaga
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Faculty of Law Universitas Lampung 2024-09-01
Series:Ius Poenale
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jurnal.fh.unila.ac.id/index.php/ip/article/view/3552
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author Pandi Frenecius Nainggolan
Rd Muhammad Ikhsan
Hamonangan Albariansyah
Jimmy Christiansen Sinaga
author_facet Pandi Frenecius Nainggolan
Rd Muhammad Ikhsan
Hamonangan Albariansyah
Jimmy Christiansen Sinaga
author_sort Pandi Frenecius Nainggolan
collection DOAJ
description The offense of blasphemy is complex and confusing due to its three distinct definitions: offense according to religion, offense against religion, and offense related to religion. This lack of clarity results in no clear boundaries for defining what constitutes blasphemy. This article explores the legal interpretation of blasphemy through an analysis of various court decisions and the opinions of religious leaders. Utilizing normative research methods complemented by field data from interviews with religious leaders, the study reveals that Article 156a of the Criminal Code lacks a precise definition of blasphemy, leading to broad and varied interpretations. The subjectivity of determining blasphemy is evident, as it often depends on the identity of the offended party. Additionally, resolving blasphemy cases, such as those involving deviant sects, necessitates theological dialogue rather than immediate recourse to punitive measures. The article notes that judicial decisions in blasphemy cases frequently rely on the testimony of religious experts, sometimes without sufficient consideration of the expert’s qualifications or the quality of their explanation of blasphemy.
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institution DOAJ
issn 2723-2638
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language English
publishDate 2024-09-01
publisher Faculty of Law Universitas Lampung
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spelling doaj-art-a4041b6b8a3b4543a71268aa4e6e33fe2025-08-20T03:10:34ZengFaculty of Law Universitas LampungIus Poenale2723-26382745-93142024-09-0151697810.25041/ip.v5i1.35522282Interpretation and Application of Criminal Law Regarding Blasphemy Under Article 156a of the Criminal CodePandi Frenecius Nainggolan0Rd Muhammad Ikhsan1Hamonangan Albariansyah2Jimmy Christiansen Sinaga3Universitas SriwijayaUniversitas SriwijayaUniversitas SriwijayaUniversitas SriwijayaThe offense of blasphemy is complex and confusing due to its three distinct definitions: offense according to religion, offense against religion, and offense related to religion. This lack of clarity results in no clear boundaries for defining what constitutes blasphemy. This article explores the legal interpretation of blasphemy through an analysis of various court decisions and the opinions of religious leaders. Utilizing normative research methods complemented by field data from interviews with religious leaders, the study reveals that Article 156a of the Criminal Code lacks a precise definition of blasphemy, leading to broad and varied interpretations. The subjectivity of determining blasphemy is evident, as it often depends on the identity of the offended party. Additionally, resolving blasphemy cases, such as those involving deviant sects, necessitates theological dialogue rather than immediate recourse to punitive measures. The article notes that judicial decisions in blasphemy cases frequently rely on the testimony of religious experts, sometimes without sufficient consideration of the expert’s qualifications or the quality of their explanation of blasphemy.https://jurnal.fh.unila.ac.id/index.php/ip/article/view/3552blasphemylegal interpretationcriminal law
spellingShingle Pandi Frenecius Nainggolan
Rd Muhammad Ikhsan
Hamonangan Albariansyah
Jimmy Christiansen Sinaga
Interpretation and Application of Criminal Law Regarding Blasphemy Under Article 156a of the Criminal Code
Ius Poenale
blasphemy
legal interpretation
criminal law
title Interpretation and Application of Criminal Law Regarding Blasphemy Under Article 156a of the Criminal Code
title_full Interpretation and Application of Criminal Law Regarding Blasphemy Under Article 156a of the Criminal Code
title_fullStr Interpretation and Application of Criminal Law Regarding Blasphemy Under Article 156a of the Criminal Code
title_full_unstemmed Interpretation and Application of Criminal Law Regarding Blasphemy Under Article 156a of the Criminal Code
title_short Interpretation and Application of Criminal Law Regarding Blasphemy Under Article 156a of the Criminal Code
title_sort interpretation and application of criminal law regarding blasphemy under article 156a of the criminal code
topic blasphemy
legal interpretation
criminal law
url https://jurnal.fh.unila.ac.id/index.php/ip/article/view/3552
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AT hamonanganalbariansyah interpretationandapplicationofcriminallawregardingblasphemyunderarticle156aofthecriminalcode
AT jimmychristiansensinaga interpretationandapplicationofcriminallawregardingblasphemyunderarticle156aofthecriminalcode