Preachers could see teaching the non-existence of Heaven as criminal too. We should be very reluctant to criminalize talking about things which don't exist.
I disagree. Historically, religious fanatiscism has often led to violence. Christianity, and certainly Islam, were both in large part spread by the sword. Mohammed slaughtered and terrorized countless people, spreading his faith by the sword, forcing it on people with the threat of death. I wouldn't be suprised if something like this happened again, although I think its less likely in today's times. If such extremism isn't criminalized, then the opposite might happen, and normal rational thinking may be criminalized by religious fanatics. In the muslim world the penalty for apostasy is
death. Religious fanatiscism needs to be taken very seriously, or it will overwhelm a society with fear and evil to the point where even declaring to no longer believe in that religion is punishable by death.
Actions which harrass others are already against the law.
"Q: What, if any, are the laws concerning verbal abuse when threatening words and profanity are used?
A: The answer comes from King County Sheriff's Sgt. John Urquhart:
Profanity, generally no law against that, but depending on the circumstances and setting, the use of profanity could evolve into Disorderly Conduct.
Threats are a different matter, and the statute is Harassment. In fact, threats to kill can be a felony. Otherwise "threats" are a gross misdemeanor.
Illegal threats include threats to do bodily harm, threaten to destroy property, or threats to do anything "which is maliciously intended to substantially harm the person threatened or another with respect to his or her physical or mental health or safety." Either immediately or in the future." (
When are threatening words or profanity illegal?).
Threatening someone with eternal punishment is clearly breaking the law. It can potentially damage a person's mental health in this life and destroy their sense of safety, and it threatens a person with eternal bodily harm. If a person is made to believe that they are going to hell, their sense of safety is shattered. That person will then most likely become a brainwashed follower of the same cult that is preaching this evil concept. Basically, that person has been terrorized into becoming a member of that cult. It's evil. The law that is already in place should protect people from these preachers, who should be charged with harrassment.
