Are Christian or Muslim countries more likely to have Blasphemy Laws?

Blasphemy laws are the offence of 'insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God or a sacred entity'.

US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), 2017

A USCIRF report in 2017 found 71 countries to have blasphemy laws which criminalised views deemed to be blasphemous, across all religions. The punishments for these transgressions varied from fines, to prison sentences, to the death penalty.

USCIRF: Respecting Rights? Measuring The World's Blasphemy Laws. 2017

In an era where religious freedom and freedom of speech often find themselves coming into conflict, it's no surprise that blasphemy is back as a point of debate.

The table below lists the 71 countries who have blasphemy laws. The state religion, or the religion observed by the majority of the country's population is also displayed.

Europe BLASPHEMY LAWS (22.5%)
1. Andorra - Christianity
2. Austria - Christianity \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law#Austria
3. Denmark - Christianity. Abolished in June 2017 \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law#Denmark
4. Finland - Christianity \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law#Finland
5. Germany - Christianity \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law#Germany
6. Greece - Christianity \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law#Greece
7. Ireland - Christianity \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law_in_the_Republic_of_Ireland
8. Italy - Christianity \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law#Italy
9. Liechtenstein - Christianity
10. Malta - Christianity. Abolished in July 2016 \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law#Malta
11. Montenegro - Christianity
12. Poland - Christianity \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law#Poland
13. Russia - Christianity \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law#Russia
14. San Marino - Christianity
15. Spain - Christianity \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law#Spain
16. Switzerland - Christianity \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law#Switzerland
17. United Kingdom - Christianity. Abolished in 2008 \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law_in_the_United_Kingdom
Americas BLASPHEMY LAWS (11.2%)
1. Antigua and Barbuda - Christianity
2. Brazil - Christianity \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law#Brazil
3. Canada - Christianity \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law#Canada
4. Grenada - Christianity
5. Guyana - Christianity
6. St Lucia - Christianity
7. St Vincent and Grenadines - Christianity
8. Suriname - Christianity
Middle East & North Africa BLASPHEMY LAWS (25.4%)
1. Algeria - Islam \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law_in_Algeria
2. Bahrain - Islam \| Wikipedia: Freedom_of_religion_in_Bahrain
3. Egypt - Islam \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law_in_Egypt
4. Iraq - Islam
5. Israel - Judaism \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law#Israel
6. Jordan - Islam \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law#Jordan
7. Kuwait - Islam \| Wikipedia: Legal_system_of_Kuwait
8. Lebanon - Islam \| Wikipedia: Freedom_of_religion_in_Lebanon
9. Libya - Islam \| Wikipedia: Law_of_Libya
10. Morocco - Islam \| Wikipedia: Irreligion_in_Morocco
11. Oman - Islam \| Wikipedia: Freedom_of_religion_in_Oman
12. Qatar - Islam \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law#Qatar
13. Saudi Arabia - Islam \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law_in_Saudi_Arabia
14. Sudan - Islam \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law#Sudan
15. Syria - Islam \| Wikipedia: Freedom_of_religion_in_Syria
16. Tunisia - Islam
17. United Arab Emirates - Islam \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law_in_the_United_Arab_Emirates
18. Yemen - Islam \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law_in_Yemen
Asia-Pacific BLASPHEMY LAWS (25.4%)
1. Afghanistan - Islam \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law_in_Afghanistan
2. Bangladesh - Islam \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law_in_Bangladesh
3. Brunei - Islam \| Wikipedia: Capital_punishment_in_Brunei
4. Cyprus - Christianity
5. India - Hinduism \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law#India
6. Indonesia - Islam \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law_in_Indonesia
7. Iran - Islam \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law_in_Iran
8. Kazakhstan - Islam
9. Malaysia - Islam \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law_in_Malaysia
10. New Zealand - Christianity \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law_in_New_Zealand
11. Pakistan - Islam \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law_in_Pakistan
12. Papua New Guinea - Christianity
13. Philippines - Christianity \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law#Philippines
14. Singapore - Buddhism \| Wikipedia: Sedition_Act_(Singapore)
15. Sri Lanka - Buddhism
16. Thailand - Buddhism \| Wikipedia: Lèse_majesté_in_Thailand
17. Turkey - Islam \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law#Turkey
18. Vanuatu - Christianity
Sub-Saharan Africa BLASPHEMY LAWS (15.5%)
1. Comoros - Islam
2. Eritrea - Christianity/Islam
3. Ethiopia - Christianity
4. Mauritius - Hinduism
5. Nigeria - Christianity/Islam \| Wikipedia: Blasphemy_law_in_Nigeria
6. Rwanda - Christianity
7. Somalia - Islam
8. South Sudan - Christianity
9. Tanzania - Christianity
10. Zambia - Christianity
11. Zimbabwe - Christianity
Countries by Religion RANK ORDER
1st Christianity (50%) 35 Christian countries (from a total of 71) had Blasphemy Laws
2nd Islam (42%) 30 Muslim countries (from a total of 71) had Blasphemy Laws
3rd Buddhism (4%) 3 Buddhist countries (from a total of 71) had Blasphemy Laws
4th Hinduism (3%) 2 Hindu countries (from a total of 71) had Blasphemy Laws
5th Judaism (1%) 1 Jewish country (from a total of 71) had Blasphemy Laws

Summary

71 countries, or 37% (71 of 193) of all countries in the world have blasphemy laws ₂

50% (35 of 71) are Christian majority countries

42% (30 of 71) are Muslim majority countries

If the three countries that recently abolished blasphemy laws are included, the figure for Christianity increases to 51% (38 of 74) and Islam decreases to 41% (30 of 74)

Therefore, Blasphemy laws effect more Christian majority countries, than Muslim countries.

₁ These world regional groupings are derived from the regional groupings used in Pew Research Center's Trends in Global Restrictions on Religion
http://www.pewforum.org/2016/06/23/trends-in-global-restrictions-on-religion
₂ There are 193 member states of the United Nations

CREDIT
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blasphemy_law
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-46046074
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ireland-blasphemy-referendum-irish-religion-illegal-remove-ban-countries-world-laws-a8597391.html
Respecting Rights? Measuring The World's Blasphemy Laws. USCIRF 2017
https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/Blasphemy%20Laws%20Report.pdf

172-blasphemy-laws

Author: Guest • Updated: 04 Sep 2026 • 21,102 views | 1 day ago

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What is Blasphemy?
Blasphemy is the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence to a deity, or sacred things. Some religions consider blasphemy to be a religious crime. As of 2012, anti-blasphemy laws existed in 32 countries, while 87 nations had hate speech laws that covered defamation of religion and

public expression of hate against a religious group. Anti-blasphemy laws are particularly common in Muslim-majority nations, such as those in the Middle East and North Africa, although they are also present in some Asian and European countries.

What is Muslim?
One of the major religions of the world, Islam literally translates to "submission," as a follower of Islam (Muslims) devotes their life to that of their God. The religion began with the teachings of Muhammad in the 7th century. The theology of Islam is based on the Qur'an, which was given to

Muhammad by God. Some of the major fundamental principles of Islam include the Five Pillars, which hope to unite all Muslims into a community. Two different factions of Muslims exist - the majority are known as Sunni, with a small percentage known as Shi'a - both predominantly reside throughout the Middle East.
Muhammad died in 632 AD and the religion of Islam formally started after his death. The Quran was formally compiled and finalised in 650 AD, prior to which it was 'memorised' and written across many parchments.

Blasphemy Muslim

Say, We believe in God and what was sent down to us, and what was sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, and what was given to Moses, Jesus and all the Prophets by their Lord
Quran 2:136

Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me
John 14:6

Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I
John 14:28

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord
Deuteronomy 6:4

The Creator of the heavens and the earth. He has made for you mates from yourselves, and for the cattle (also) mates. By this means He creates you (in the wombs)
Quran 42:11

O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah
Quran 3:64

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me
John 5:30

Indeed, We have revealed to you, (O Muhammad), as We revealed to Noah and the prophets after him. And we revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Descendants, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the book (of Psalms)
Quran 4:163

Blessed be He Who has placed in the heaven big stars, and has placed therein a great lamp (sun), and a moon giving light. And He it is Who has put the night and the day in succession
Quran 25:61

He (Jesus) Himself stood in their midst and said to them, Peace be to you
Luke 24:36

O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of God. Indeed, God forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful
Quran 39: 53

Indeed, man is in loss, except those who have faith and do righteous deeds, and advise one another to truth and patience
Quran 103:1-3

The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord
Mark 12:29

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God
John 20:17

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Matthew 27:46

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
John 13:16

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind
Matthew 22:37

By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.
John 5:30

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
John 5:19

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:21

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me
Isaiah 49:9

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Are Christian or Muslim countries more likely to have Blasphemy Laws?

Blasphemy laws are the offence of 'insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God or a sacred entity'.

US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), 2017

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