"I suppose I should say that I treasure blasphemy, as a faith of the highest order"

Rick Moody’s statement brings together the notions of blasphemy and reverence in a striking paradox, proposing that irreverence itself can be a profound act of devotion. On the surface, blasphemy involves violating or mocking what a culture holds sacred, often inciting fear, outrage, or shame. Yet, to "treasure blasphemy" suggests boldness in questioning traditions and established truths, an embrace of skepticism not merely as opposition, but as an essential, even noble, undertaking. By framing blasphemy as "a faith of the highest order", Moody provocatively recasts it as more than a rebellious impulse. Instead, it is an intellectually rigorous posture: a belief in the value of challenging sacred cow dogmas, and the potential enlightenment found in unsettling faith.

To blaspheme, in this context, is not to be callous or shallow, but to engage seriously with fundamental questions. It requires courage, curiosity, and a deep commitment to inquiry. Such acts can lead to personal growth, new perspectives, and a more authentic connection with whatever one does, or does not, regard as sacred. The word "treasure" accentuates this: blasphemy, rather than being something vile to suppress, is precious, worthy of esteem, perhaps even necessary for spiritual and intellectual vitality.

Moreover, defining "faith" as the willingness to commit, trust, and invest deeply, Moody’s idea that devotion can manifest as blasphemy challenges the notion that sacredness lies solely in allegiance. Sometimes, true reverence comes from testing boundaries and refusing to accept inherited answers without scrutiny. Ultimately, his claim is an affirmation of the transformative power of doubt, dissent, and the playful yet earnest wrestling with belief. Rather than undermining faith, blasphemy, so valued, becomes the vehicle through which higher forms of faith are forged and refined.