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Objection 1: It would seem that the damned do not blaspheme.
Because some wicked men are deterred from blaspheming now, on account
of the fear of future punishment. But the damned are undergoing these
punishments, so that they abhor them yet more. Therefore, much more
are they restrained from blaspheming.
Objection 2: Further, since blasphemy is a most grievous sin, it
is most demeritorious. Now in the life to come there is no state of
meriting or demeriting. Therefore there will be no place for
blasphemy.
Objection 3: Further, it is written (Eccles. 11:3) that
"the tree . . . in what place soever it shall fall, there shall it
be": whence it clearly follows that, after this life, man acquires
neither merit nor sin, which he did not already possess in this life.
Now many will be damned who were not blasphemous in this life.
Neither, therefore, will they blaspheme in the life to come.
On the contrary, It is written (Apoc. 16:9): "The men were
scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God, Who
hath power over these plagues," and a gloss on these words says that
"those who are in hell, though aware that they are deservedly
punished, will nevertheless complain that God is so powerful as to
torture them thus." Now this would be blasphemy in their present
state: and consequently it will also be in their future state.
I answer that, As stated above (Articles 1,3), detestation of
the Divine goodness is a necessary condition of blasphemy. Now those
who are in hell retain their wicked will which is turned away from
God's justice, since they love the things for which they are
punished, would wish to use them if they could, and hate the
punishments inflicted on them for those same sins. They regret indeed
the sins which they have committed, not because they hate them, but
because they are punished for them. Accordingly this detestation of
the Divine justice is, in them, the interior blasphemy of the heart:
and it is credible that after the resurrection they will blaspheme God
with the tongue, even as the saints will praise Him with their
voices.
Reply to Objection 1: In the present life men are deterred from
blasphemy through fear of punishment which they think they can escape:
whereas, in hell, the damned have no hope of escape, so that, in
despair, they are borne towards whatever their wicked will suggests to
them.
Reply to Objection 2: Merit and demerit belong to the state of a
wayfarer, wherefore good is meritorious in them, while evil is
demeritorious. In the blessed, on the other hand, good is not
meritorious, but is part of their blissful reward, and, in like
manner, in the damned, evil is not demeritorious, but is part of the
punishment of damnation.
Reply to Objection 3: Whoever dies in mortal sin, bears with him a
will that detests the Divine justice with regard to a certain thing,
and in this respect there can be blasphemy in him.
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