Isn't Ernst Zundel entitled to his own opinion? Who even cares if he's right or wrong. Putting people in prison for talking about this sort of stuff makes it looks like something has been hidden.
2007-02-15 17:40:53 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Seriously. Even if some people come out with outrageous theories, I would think that people would want to present the facts in order to totally discredit them. Disallowing any sort of discussion comes across as suspicious.
2007-02-15 17:53:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The reason why Holocaust denial is punishable in Germany is that it falls under sedition and slandering the memory of the dead. This is actually what exactly he is judged for. He was not convicted because of his opinion, but because he spread his lies over Internet and in publications and this way actively promoted antisemitism.
It's true that it might look to some people as if something were hidden, but I think this Holocaust denial agitation like Ernst Zündel did is dangerous although it is based only on lies and not on any evidence. But you see it's the same with all the antisemitic agitation. It's completely made up and still people believe in it. There are many ignorant people who might be convinced by the "logic" of the Holocaust deniers. This is dangerous because Holocaust denial implies that Jews had made it all up for their own advantage and so incites antisemitism. That's the difference between Holocaust denial and saying the earth were flat.
For the same reason "Mein Kampf", the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" and other antisemitic propaganda is banned in Germany.
2007-02-17 02:20:53 · answer #2 · answered by Elly 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
"Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it."
Ernst Zundel's opinion flies in the face of fact with political intentions. Germany has taken a stand to insure it will never again be responsible for such acts. With freedom comes responsibility.
Try yelling fire or bomb in a school or at the mall in the U.S. Who cares if there is one or not? You're entitled....freedom of speach. See if you don't get arrested.
2007-02-15 18:14:55 · answer #3 · answered by Michael E 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I suppose you need to understand something about the world...the whole place is not the United States. In Germany there are laws specifically pertaining to publicly denying that the holocaust took place. He broke the law, and was found guilty, just like if you break a law in any other country. There are laws on the books here in the US that people go to jail for that the rest of the world thinks are pretty stupid, but that's how it works.
2007-02-15 17:50:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Germany is a bit sensitive about Nazis and the Holocaust, in case you havent noticed.
I am not saying it is justified, although it is a horrible thing to say, to punish it with prison, but the German govn and people feel they have to still, today, prove that they are not nazi sympithisers, even when taken to such an extreme as punish nazi sypathisers and such people.
2007-02-15 17:50:36 · answer #5 · answered by Courtney 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because the action of the German nation in the past was so embarassing and reprehensible this law is the least they can do to the people that were tortured, beaten, and killed just because they were different than the majority. We have laws protecting kids from pedhophiles. Why not Jewish kids too?
2007-02-15 17:48:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
only a complete moron will justify destroying the freedom of speech, you have the right to hate Muhammad, prayers and peace be upon him, or to hate the Jews and call people in every way you wish and make a Nazi anti Muslim party. freedom is priceless. but you don't have the right to hurt any one physically. it's stupid that you have to satisfy every one who have no self confidence.
2007-02-17 13:15:45 · answer #7 · answered by YM 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For one thing, not all countries have "freedom of speech." For another, Germany is trying to leave behind their Hitler-stained past by coming down hard on anything that smacks of Naziism. The Swastika is also illegal in Germany.
2007-02-15 17:48:48 · answer #8 · answered by Vaughn 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
"Holocaust denial laws" serves to demonstrate the truth of the words of satirist Karl Kraus an Austrian who died in 1936; that "Sound opinions are valueless.
2007-02-15 17:47:19 · answer #9 · answered by zombi86 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
because the germans have been bugged by it ever since the war
then to say that they have been bugged for nothing is an even greater crime
2007-02-15 17:45:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋