According to a write-up in the Times of Malta (August 8), the Church authorities declared that the law prohibiting the vilification of the Catholic religion “must not be axed” - surprise, surprise!

Justice Minister Own Bonnici should go ahead and ditch the Catholic self-styled and self-serving ‘vilification’ law harking back to the Inquisition.

Laws against blasphemy are based on a belief in an anthropomorphic God, made in man’s own image and likeness. They ascribe to Him human characteristics, such as the human weakness of being offended by mere words and insults.

Man-made ‘blasphemy’ laws are enacted to defend the subjective beliefs and the particular interests of those who make them rather than in defence of the honour of God himself, who is far removed from such petty human concerns.

Just like faith itself, blasphemy is relative. What is blasphemous to Catholics is not blasphemous to others. Throughout the centuries, Christians vilified the Jews and insulted the prophet Muhammad. They never considered their insults to be blasphemous.

It’s absurd to think that God would be offended by the puny ‘blasphemies’ hurled at Him by insignificant men living on a small planet in a universe containing billions of stars and galaxies.