There was a recent poll submitted by The Globe and Mail asking readers if Holocaust Denial should be a criminal offense.
First of all, having read many books and articles on WW II and books by the survivors of death camps (because I find it gruesomely fascinating) there is no doubt in my mind that a systematic program to eliminate the European Jewish Community was in place.
The numbers might vary, 6 million, 4 million, whatever. The numbers aren't as important as the fact that the event and attempt happened.
The facts and witnesses are there. To deny the Holocaust is to deny the facts.
Still, people have a right to be wrong. Lawmakers have made a correlation between Holocaust Denial and Hate. I don't really get that.
I don't think a person necessarily has to be anti-Semitic or hateful to preach Holocaust Denial. It may be true in most cases but it doesn't always follow.
There are major religions followed by billions of people that have built their foundation on beliefs that are factually and scientifically not only untrue but impossible. Few are accused of hate, though maybe they should be.
And yet we not only allow them to preach these untruths, our society often encourages it.
Is preaching Creationism a hate crime against Evolutionists?
What is the worst evil here? Statements of hate and mistrust or censorship? Why are we so afraid of others' contradictions?
I hate censorship. It's a terrible evil used by those in power to control our thoughts and actions.
Our free societies' only weapon is free speech. And that right has to be protected universally even though in some cases we might find that speech distasteful.
Let's get everyone's views out there. If someone or some group has an opinion that is based on hearsay, rumor and suspicion the true substantiated facts will show them wrong.
We need not be afraid of that.
