Let me begin by apologising if this thread is in the wrong forum, the gray area seems a good place for a few reasons. I suppose you could say that
those who deny the holocaust are basically saying the whole thing is one big conspiracy. I don't want stars or flags, at all...but I'd like some
responses as it's an important issue...if people can read and respond to a thread "Do you feel it?" where the OP contains 3 or 4 lines of vague
nonsense, then they can take two minutes to chip in on this one, surely?
It's a touchy subject and one not many people seem prepared to debate, people have been arrested, charged and imprisoned for simply believing the
holocaust never happened...so what? Who cares what others believe...what good does persecuting them do? Where does it stop? People blindly accept it
as a crime and say nothing, is it a crime? To harbour such views I'd say no...to express them, that's a different matter...
Some dude being quoted in a newspaper or on some website claiming the holocaust is a lie...stupid, not worth worrying about, when teachers start to
teach this nonsense to our kids then it becomes an issue...but I don't see that ever happening...it's a dangerous opinion in some regards and I get
that.
But when all is said and done, a denier can only present a theory or case and it's up to others to form their own opinion based on that...nobody can
force you to believe anything or agree with them, can they?
So I think that either people genuinely believe that it's the way to go, to imprison people who deny the holocaust...in which case I'm in the
minority here, or they're scared to be as vocal about how they really feel...or they just don't care, period. I'd just like peoples opinions on
this issue, first off here's a few links to give some insight...
en.wikipedia.org...
www.bibliotecapleyades.net...
skepdic.com...
I know it's an old topic and has probably been discussed on ATS before, but it's an important and relevant issue even today. It's about free speech
and censorship.
I don't doubt the holocaust took place, I've no real reason to disbelieve it, but do I think it's right to persecute someone who denies the
holocaust? No...what's the point? Can you force someone to change their beliefs by incarcerating them? I don't think you can, you might condition
them to some extent...they might learn how to hide their views and beliefs more...but I don't think it will change how a person truly thinks and
feels, and why would you want to? Why get so uptight about someone expressing an opinion, be it an idiotic opinion or otherwise?
I find it bizarre that people think it's acceptable to imprison someone for having what some consider a down right stupid belief or opinion. It's
just another form of control or censorship...in an attempt to distance themselves from the evil regime that was the nazi party...governments have
become fascist dictators with regard to this issue...arresting people and locking them away for having a belief or opinion...we might aswell jail the
people who think the moon landings were a hoax, why not?
I'm also interested to hear the opinions of anyone who believes the holocaust to be a big lie...what purpose would such a conspiracy serve? I never
really looked at it as a conspiracy because I never put much thought or stock into the notion at first...I was always kind of looking at it from the
wrong angle if you like...but it is still a conspiracy theory, even if it's one people seem reluctant to touch.
Anyone think the holocaust is a conspiracy? If so, why? To what end, what purpose would such a conspiracy serve?
I ain't gonna argue with or insult anyone for expressing their genuine opinions on this subject and would appreciate it if we can have a sensible
conversation about this without it descending into an argument or trade of insults...if you don't want to hear other people's views on this issue I
suggest you don't read or take part, keep an open mind and accept that you might read some things you might not like...other people might not like
what you have to say, either.
If someone can say something that makes me think, or even helps me see it from a new perspective I might walk away from this thread realising that I
was wrong, holocaust denial it is a crime...like I said it's not a troll thread, ain't looking for an argument...I think incarcerating people for
believing the holocaust is a big fraud is pointless and stupid, if someone can show me that I'm wrong about that I shall humbly accept it...no
insults or arguments - opinions and ideas are far more constructive :p