What is blasphemy? Blasphemous phenomena are characterized by diversity and subjectivity. This is particularly true for blasphemy in Christianity. Blasphemy also marks the beginning of Christianity: Jesus Christ is sentenced to death on the cross due to the accusation of having committed blasphemy. This provides ample reason to examine the topic more closely from both a scientific and theological perspective.

In the present dissertation, a communication model has been developed that aims to implement a precise definition of blasphemous phenomena. Using this model, three major areas of blasphemy have been identified. Central themes include the discussion of whether God can be blasphemously offended at all, whether blasphemy must fundamentally be something negative, or whether it can, under certain circumstances, even be considered necessary and positive. Furthermore, the dissertation explores whether the abolition or retention of the so-called blasphemy paragraph is sensible and whether there are, in principle, so-called religious feelings that can be offended. In light of a constantly changing, pluralistic society, it is appropriate to engage intensively with blasphemous phenomena in relation to religion, religious freedom, and religious criticism.

Sandra Dewi Lochbrunner studied Catholic theology and German studies for teaching at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. After passing the first state examination, she became a research assistant to Prof. Dr. Armin Kreiner at the Chair of Fundamental Theology at the Catholic-Theological Faculty of LMU in 2014. The dissertation "Blasphemy - Much Ado About Nothing?!" was completed in 2025.