Why is Holocaust denial illegal?

What? Do you feel that Germany was responsible for the Holocaust? I'm confused.

 

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Did you think Uruguay was responsible for the holocaust? You are confused.

 

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Yes I clearly think that Uruguay was responsible for the Holocaust.

What is your response to people who blame America for the war in Iraq (assuming you are a liberal person)---I would be willing to bet you say "No, this is Bush's war" or some such variant.

The Holocaust was the policy of a regime that was in power at the time, a regime (by the way) that came from Austria.

 

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I think he's gone to beddy-byes but I do feel qualified to speak for him on this point.

He'd blame America.

Hmmm. Well they didn't come to power overnight, now, did they? Certainly by the time of the Enabling Act it was too late but they could conceivably have been stopped at any time up to this point. Alas, far too many people saw Hitler as a useful tool, or as someone they could work with. As for the masses, well, they did benefit from reliable train timetables and protection from the Red scourge. I think they have to be charged with at least partial culpability, yes?

 

Certainly the government requires the consent of the governed. I will admit that I don't know the entire socio-political situation in pre-war Germany, but as far as I understand it, Hitler's national socialist party offered a new vision for Germany. A vision that restored German superiority after WWI. It's like the Paestinians---they had a choice between a corrupt government and a terrorist regime. (This is another post!)

I don't know if I agree that the current Germany should shoulder the burden for Hitler, just like I don't agree that I should be held reponsible for slaves that I never owned (i.e. reparitions) or segregation that I never took part in (i.e. affirmative action). Likewise, I don't agree that America should be held responsible for these things either.

But it probably just boils down to a difference of opinions.

 

The current government of Germany doesn't carry the burden. It merely admits that as a nation Germany did wrong. Responsibility does not disappear magically with a regime change. There is always the past. Hitler came to power with support. Hitler did not commit genocide singlehandedly.

Is a US soldier responsible for atrocities ordered by its government. Yes.

The US should try admitting its wrongs. That would be refreshing.

 

And what would it change?

Baron Max

 

I think all nations should be in a revolving confessional, each confessing a bad move, then on to the next nation, so the first nation to run out of bad moves is the best nation.

 

What do you think it will change. In Germany it made people think about their role in WW2. People actually thought they were victims of the allied forces. Similarly americans think they bring freedom and democracy to the world.

 

And don't forget Jesus. Freedom and Jesus.

 

The holocaust denial is illegal because the history is fluid and changing depending on what we believe happened in the past.

For example, if all people now started to believe that Jesus was a chinese person, then in their psyche Jesus indeed was chinese and they will act and think according to that "fact".

For the ones in power now (groups, organisations, lobbies, etc) it is convenient and politically profitable that the holocaust indeed took place.
If that opinion changes, then their power would also diminish.
Hence it is important for them to force the population to believe what they wish, including their version of history.

 

Hi meta,

i hope all is going well.

interesting, pls elbaorate if you will.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks
Zak

 

He won't do that. They authorities will just delete his posts and play game in attempts to silence him(he' crazy).

 

Oni, don't make me ask you to...

Zak, I haven't taken a lot of interest in the holocaust denial thing one way or the other, but I think that the laws are just as likely to be used to stop someone who wants to revise the official story or show that there is fakery involved. Frankly, I don't trust the side that shuts the other side up, not now, not ever, not even under the influence of drugs. I also have good personal reasons not to trust the people who told me the story.

Why should I believe the Holocaust story? I can read as many historical accounts as I can find and try to look for consistencies or inconsistencies, which is better than taking the word of people and agencies who I know have lied about other things. Even then, my belief that a Holocaust took place is not quite an informed opinion. Myself, I don't need to believe in the Holocaust to believe that anti-semetism is likely to be wrong and a bad thing, and some people would think that I have to be anti-semetic if I don't believe in it. They place themselves at risk of making the term meaningless if they accuse me of this bad thing if I don't know for sure about the Holocaust and I don't think that Israel should be occupying Palestine.

Something like these "holocaust denial" laws can be convenient back doors to use to deny me my say or even to lock me up.

 

Is that a fact?

I can neither confirm nor deny that it occured. Intellectual honesty does not allow me to take something like that on faith. In other matters, intellectual honesty compels me to tell people what I know to be true, or to be very likely to be true. You should try some of that some time.

I've already had a glimpse of your belief system, Bells. You believe that the mere expression of certain beliefs constitutes an attempt to harm others. You also attempt to implement this belief. This is why I do not like you or trust you.

No shit? You're not just saying that?

 

Bells, I seriously doubt that you have seen such damage except in your strange imagination.

 

James, one would almost think that you didn't believe in the conspiracy.