The crime of blasphemy in l7th-century Massachusetts, unlike other acts of illicit speech such as slander and gossip, has attracted little historical attention. Moreover, these existing analyses tend to treat blasphemy as an intellectual expression of unorthodoxy, and its prosecution as an indicator of intolerance. This paper argues that blasphemy, unlike the closely related crime of heresy, was not understood by Puritans primarily according to its substantive content, but by its symbolic representation of generalized rule-breaking and destructive social forces.

The paper integrates legal records with sermon literature, tracts, and pamphlets to develop a contextualized understanding of blasphemy. The voices that emerge from these sources not only talked about blasphemy; they also spoke of other major issues of concern: sin and redemption, power, authority, sex roles, neighborliness, the state of the colony, the state of their souls. This "conversation" about blasphemy occurred across social and intellectual levels, including many participants; and it occurred in many places, including the tavern, the neighborhood, and the meetinghouse, in addition to the courtroom and the legislative assembly.

Naturally, there were rules governing this conversation, rules that determined who spoke and with what authority: a tone of deference to one's social betters, an acknowledgment that ultimate spiritual knowledge resided with the ministers, and a humble submission to civil authority. Blasphemers broke all these rules. By focusing on when and how they were punished (and when they were not), we can further explore the relationship between speech and sin, unity and community.