criminal-law religion denmark blasphemy
Is it legal in Denmark to deface religious scriptures?
<p>This piece from the New York times got my attention: <a href="https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/02/23/world/europe/denmark-quran-burning.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/02/23/world/europe/denmark-quran-burning.html</a></p>

<p>Apparently some Danish guy got convicted of burning the Quran. </p>

<p>Q. What rights do the Danish people have in terms of burning other religious artifacts like the Bible?</p>

<p>From <a href="http://www.anklagemyndigheden.dk/nyheder/Sider/tiltalt-for-afbraending-af-koranen.aspx" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.anklagemyndigheden.dk/nyheder/Sider/tiltalt-for-afbraending-af-koranen.aspx</a> (from what I understand through Google translate, it is the official government website of the public prosecution, see: <a href="http://www.anklagemyndigheden.dk/Sider/vores-organisation.aspx" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.anklagemyndigheden.dk/Sider/vores-organisation.aspx</a> )</p>

<p>The prosecution said:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Det er anklagemyndighedens opfattelse, at omstændighederne i forbindelse med afbrænding af hellige bøger som Bibelen og Koranen indebærer, at det i visse tilfælde kan være en overtrædelse af blasfemiparagraffen, der handler om offentlig spot eller forhånelse i forhold til en religion</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Translated:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>It is the prosecution's view that the circumstances surrounding the burning of holy books like the Bible and the Qur'an imply that it may in some cases be a violation of the blasphemy provision, which deals with public mockery or insult against a religion.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>so I would say that it is reasonable to expect that burning a Bible would lead to the same outcome as in this case, i.e. Danes are not allowed to burn holy books, regardless of religion.</p>

<hr>

<p>The "blasphemy provision" is, as said <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blasphemy_law#Denmark" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a>, paragraph 140, <a href="https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=181992" rel="nofollow noreferrer">that reads</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Den, der offentlig driver spot med eller forhåner noget her i landet lovligt bestående religionssamfunds troslærdomme eller gudsdyrkelse, straffes med bøde eller fængsel indtil 4 måneder.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Translated:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>One who publicly mocks or insults any here in the country legally existing religious community's religious teachings or worship is punished with a fine or prison of up to four months.</p>
</blockquote>
