716 sqq.) observes, the contention on this point concerns words only, since the followers of St. De Lugo and others deny that this is an essential element in blasphemy (De just. Thomas says that it is to be regarded as a sin against faith inasmuch as by it we attribute to God that which does not belong to Him, or deny Him that which is His (II-II, Q. THE MALICE OF BLASPHEMY.-Blasphemy is a sin against the virtue of religion by which we render to God the honor due to Him as our first beginning and last end. Again blasphemy may be (I) either direct, as when the one blaspheming formally intends to dishonor the Divinity, or (2) indirect, as when without such intention blasphemous words are used with advertence to their import. And finally (3), it is simply contumelious when it is wholly made up of contempt of, or indignation towards, God, as in the blasphemy of Julian the Apostate: “Thou hast conquered, O Galilaean”. (2) It is imprecatory when it would cry a malediction upon the Supreme Being as when one would say: “Away with God“. (I) It is heretical when the insult to God involves a declaration that is against faith, as in the assertion: “ God is cruel and unjust” or “The noblest work of man is God“. Blasphemy, by reason of the significance of the words with which it is expressed, may be of three kinds. (2) It is said to be against God, though this may be only mediately, as when the contumelious word is spoken of the saints or of sacred things, because of the relationship they sustain to God and His service. Being primarily a sin of the tongue, it will be seen to be opposed directly to the religious act of praising God. It is to be noted that according to the definition (I) blasphemy is set down as a word, for ordinarily it is expressed in speech, though it may be committed in thought or in act. Hence it has been defined by Suarez as “any word of malediction, reproach, or contumely pronounced against God” (De Relig., tract. MEANING.-While etymologically blasphemy may denote the derogation of the honor due to a creature as well as of that belonging to God, in its strict acceptation it is used only in the latter sense. Paul tells of being blasphemed (I Cor., iv, 13) and the Latin Vulgate employs the word blasphemare to designate abusive language directed either against a people at large (II Kings, xxi, 21 I Par., xx, 7) or against individuals (I Cor., x, 30 Tit., iii, 2). In this broad sense the term is used by Bacon when in his “Advancement of Learning” he speaks of “blasphemy against learning”. blaptein, “to injure”, and ph?m?, “reputation”) signifies etymologically gross irreverence towards any person or thing worthy of exalted esteem.