Why is it illegal to deny the holocaust?

Question

I mean, some people are crazy and all, but people don't usually just lock them up. And there are people who claim just about everything else is some sorta conspiracy, but they don't get fined/jailed...

I mean, there are missing Jews, so its obvious it happened...

Not talking about the US.

In the USA stupidity is very legal lol

Answer 1

It's illegal in Germany and Austria....I they're a lot more sensitive about it there, which makes sense really...It's not that about the proof that it happened...it's the fact that it's so obvious it happened it's offensive to argue it didn't.

Answer 2

It's not illegal, but it is stupidity to deny a historical event happened in the face of all the evidence.

The Jews have been singled out for history's scapegoats because they have a unique sense of their own history and have in many ways refused to assimilate into their host country's culture. They are different. That's bad enough, but they also tend to be successful.

During the Middle Ages a good Christian could not lend money. It was considered sinful. At the same time Jews could not own land. So Jews became the money lenders of many Christian countries as well as the jewelers. When they started loaning money to city leaders, town governments, and even kings, they became ripe for picking. Want to balance the budget? Go after the Jews.

Other groups have also been singled out. You want someone to look down on, try the gypsies. They're all dirty thieves. Want to feel holier than others? Condemn the gays.

One of the easiest ways for a government to control the populace is to focus their hatred on a small part of it. This is what Hitler did with the Holocaust. He got rid of gypsies, gays, blacks, and Jews. Why the Jews? They had millions. The others were just drains on his perfect society.

Answer 3

it's truly a shame that there needs to be such a law- but Germany in the 1930's was considered a progressive and enlightened modern society. Probably more so than we are now. If it can happen there, it can happen anywhere.

I have no idea why there is so much anti-semetism in the world, but the underlying current of hate towards the Jews (and this is different than disagreeing with Israeli politics) is real, there and can be exploited as it once was.

It doesn't make any sense... but sadly, there does need to be a law. We must never forget.

I don't believe that there is such a law in the US, but there certainly is in Germany, Austria as well?

Answer 4

It is not, in most countries. In those countries where it is prohibited (e.g., Germany), it is a specific response to the existence and threatened re-emergence of political groups (e.g., neo-Nazis) that are closely aligned with the perpetrators of war-crimes and the overthrow of democratic institutions, groups who have traditionally denied the Holocaust's occurrence as part of a disinformation campaign intended to bring them back to power. US law has a very strong emphasis on protecting individual speech on all subjects, while European law tends to put a strong emphasis on allowing individuals to protect themselves against insult by legal means. The European laws (which sometimes extend to banning Nazi-style salutes, which can make it hard to hail a cab!) do arguably violate the European Convention on Human Rights guarantee of free expression; however, any attempt to ban such speech or conduct in the US would definitely fail on First Amendment grounds.

Answer 5

In the U.S., Holocaust denial isn't illegal, just idiotic.

Answer 6

Who said it was illegal? This is a free country and you can say whatever you like.

Answer 7

It's only illegal I germany I believe. I guess punishment for starting it.

Answer 8

It's not illegal, some people are just complete idiots not to think it happened.

Answer 9

Didn't know it was illegal, just thought it was stupid.

Answer 10

Its against the law to be that stupid.