The Blasphemy Act 1697 (9 Will. 3. c. 35) was an Act of the Parliament of England. It made it an offence for any person, educated in or having made profession of the Christian religion, by writing, preaching, teaching or advised speaking, to deny the Holy Trinity, to claim there is more than one god, to deny the truth of Christianity and to deny the Bible as divine authority.
The first offence resulted in being rendered incapable of holding any office or place of trust. The second offence resulted in being rendered incapable of bringing any action, of being guardian or executor, or of taking a legacy or deed of gift, and three years imprisonment without bail.
It was rarely applied: the legislation allowed only four days after the offence for a formal complaint to be lodged and the trial itself was required to be held within three months.[5] As a result, existing common law process continued to be the first line against heterodoxy in England and Wales.
The Law Commission said that they were not aware of any prosecutions that had taken place under this Act.[6]
On 24 May 1966, the Law Commission said that the offence created by this statute was obsolete and recommended that the whole Act be repealed.[7] Their recommendation was implemented by section 13(2) of, and Part I of Schedule 4 to, the Criminal Law Act 1967.[8]
↑ This Act might be referred to as the Blasphemy Act 1698 in some sources due to the situation that existed before the passing of the Acts of Parliament (Commencement) Act 1793.
↑ These words are printed against this Act in the second column of Schedule 2 to the Statute Law Revision Act 1948, which is headed "Title".
↑ The Law Commission. Offences against and public worship. Working paper no. 79. para. 2.24 at p. 28: "there had been few if any prosecutions under it"
↑ The Law Commission. Proposals to Abolish Certain Ancient Criminal Offences. Law Com 3. 24 May 1966. para. 6(c) and 7 and draft clause at p. 4, 5 and 7.
↑ The Law Commission. Offences against religion and public worship. Working paper no. 79. para. 2.24 at p. 28
Sources
Webb, R.K. "From Toleration to Religious Liberty" Liberty Secured? Britain before and after 1688 Edited by J.R. Jones (Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1992) p 162 ISBN0-8047-1988-8
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