Why are Holocaust Deniers having their free speech rights violated in many countries?

Question

Don't get me wrong. I have no problem fully beliving the validity of the holocaust. There is proof of it everywhere and as far as I'm concerned, it needs to be brought up as much as possible and taught in schools if for no other reason, to prevent this kind of history from repeating itself.

However, I do have a problem with people who voice their skepticism being criminalized for their beliefs. Political incorrectness is still protected free speech, and I really hope that the US doesn't follow suit with other countries in punishing such people.

Just like anything and everything else, I think that history isn't as cut and dried as many would like is to believe. It is a good idea to question everything and and then form your own informed opinion, no matter what it is.

To Millie: I'm referring specifically to Germany, which is a westernized country and should have the same principles of freedom we do.

To Jeeper-Peeper -- Voicing skepticism isn't the same thing as yelling FIRE in a crowded theatre or threatening the US President. It is simply someone's personal opinion, which hurts no one else (to that extent at least).

Charlie S says, "My attitude towards the deniers is similar to this quote, I believe by Mark Twain:

"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, then to speak and remove all doubt"

My answer: Precisely! If more people would view something they disagree with in such a manner instead of feeling threatened by it, we would all be able to resolve our differences a lot more easily.

Answer 1

I think it is bad policy. If you outlaw an 'opinion' people will think it is because there is truth to it.

I also think freedom of speech is the way to go, generally.

Answer 2

Although I, too, *know* that the holocaust did occur, I do have a problem with this. Just because I think these people are anti-semitic troglodytes, doesn't give me the right to silence them.

Germany is a unique nation in this respect. My belief vis-a-vis criminalization in Germany is that it is a reflection of national shame, an overeaction to something that happened before the majority of Germans were born.

My attitude towards the deniers is similar to this quote, I believe by Mark Twain:

"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, then to speak and remove all doubt"

Answer 3

Different countries have different laws. While I believe that free speech should be extended to all people as I do most rights that Americans enjoy, these countries are not the United States. Our rights are guaranteed under our Constitution, but the Constitution does not apply outside of our borders.

Answer 4

The thing is that some Americans think that our rights only apply to us directly but not to other people because they are not Americans when in reality what the Constitution intends to do is create a philosophy, a way of living and believing towards everybody in general, regardless of where they might be. If it were any other way then we would be hypocrites.

Answer 5

No country has complete freedom of speech.

In the United States, it is a criminal act to yell FIRE in a crowded theater.

It is a criminal act to make a verbal threat to the President of the United States.

So I see no problem with the German people making it a crime to deny the most significant event in German history.

Answer 6

You are assuming that these countries have freedom of speach like we do. Which countries are you speaking about?

Then that makes sense. It was Germany, Hitler, in fact, that started the Holocaust. So, wouldn't it make sense to not let these ideas get out of hand? I am sure they don't want to relive it and there are people out there who still hate the German's for it.

Answer 7

Probably because right to free speech is an american right and other countries are not america