MyCatholicSource.com - 'Quick Help' Page: Blasphemy/Profane Words (Definition)

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According to the Baltimore Catechism...

"Blasphemy is any word or action intended as an insult to God. To say He is cruel or find fault with His works is blasphemy. It is a much greater sin than cursing or taking God's name in vain. Profane words mean here bad, irreverent, or irreligious words."

And...

"BLASPHEMY. Speech, writings, gestures or thoughts which show contumely to or contempt for God or detract from his honour, whether such contumely, contempt or dishonour be intended or not. Intentional blasphemy is always a grave sin against religion; and efforts should be made if necessary to eliminate unintentional blasphemy from one's speech, etc. Blasphemy against God is committed indirectly by speech, etc., showing contumely and dishonour to or contempt for his Church, the saints or sacred things; the gravity of this sin depends on the kind of blasphemy." (Catholic Dictionary)

"PROFANE (Lat. profanus, not sacred; literally, outside the temple) in common speech means irreverent or blasphemous [but ecclesiastically the word is used in its more exact sense to indicate secular as opposed to sacred: profane uses means simply not-religious uses; this sense implies no reproach whatsoever]." (Catholic Dictionary, emphasis added)

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"Blasphemy is directly opposed to the second commandment. It consists in uttering against God - inwardly or outwardly - words of hatred, reproach, or defiance; in speaking ill of God; in failing in respect toward Him in one's speech; in misusing God's name. St. James condemns those 'who blaspheme that honorable name [of Jesus] by which you are called.' The prohibition of blasphemy extends to language against Christ's Church, the saints, and sacred things..." (Ref. Vatican Website/Catechism of the Catholic Church)

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