#609 | A Short History of Blasphemy in Britain (English Listening Practice)

#609 | A Short History of Blasphemy in Britain (English Listening Practice)

Author: Leonardo English May 8, 2026 Duration: 21:44

 


When Thomas Aikenhead was hanged in 1697 for questioning the Bible, it was the last time someone was executed for blasphemy in Britain. But it didn't mean that debates around blasphemy went away. 

In this episode, we'll trace the history of blasphemy in Britain, and discover how debates about insulting religion still shape British law and public life today. 

  • Thomas Aikenhead: last execution for blasphemy in Britain, 1697.
  • Blasphemy’s Greek roots: harmful speech, not originally religious.
  • Church and Crown fused; blasphemy protected political order.
  • Percy Shelley expelled for publishing The Necessity of Atheism.
  • Richard Carlile imprisoned for publishing Paine’s The Age of Reason.
  • 1977 Gay News case: editor convicted for blasphemous poem.
  • Life of Brian controversy showed debate still alive.
  • Blasphemy law protected Christianity only; Muslims unprotected during Rushdie.
  • 2008 abolition followed debate: protect people, not ideas.
  • Tahir Ali proposed new blasphemy law; government rejected.


 Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/blasphemy-britain


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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية


If your language studies could use a dose of fascination, English Learning for Curious Minds might just be what you're looking for. Created by Leonardo English, this podcast is designed for intermediate to advanced learners who are tired of dry textbooks and repetitive exercises. Instead, each episode dives into a curiously compelling topic-you might explore the history of forgotten inventions, unravel mysteries of ancient cultures, or discuss surprising scientific discoveries. The conversation is deliberately paced for comprehension, allowing you to absorb natural pronunciation and complex vocabulary in context. To support your learning, every episode includes an interactive transcript, subtitles, and key vocabulary lists. It’s this blend of genuine intellectual curiosity and practical learning tools that has built a global community, with listeners tuning in from 189 different countries. The result is a genuinely engaging way to build fluency, where improving your English feels less like a chore and more like a series of fascinating conversations about the weird and wonderful aspects of our world.
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English Learning for Curious Minds | A More Interesting Way To Learn English
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