1-6-1988
To:
1. M/s. Amtsgericht Wuerzburg, 8700 Wuerzburg, West Germany.
2. Hon. Minister of Justice, Postfach 8000 Munchen 35, West Germany
Dear Friends,
We are sad to know that in such a progressive country like West Germany Blasphemy Law is still in force.
God is a matter of belief and faith. Every person has the right to believe in god or not to believe. When the religion propagate god, the non-believers have the right to propagate atheism. In some countries, the government prosecute Atheists. West Germany, though one of the most progressive countries in the world in the technological and scientific field, still uses this barbarian law of Blasphemy against the heretics in connivance with the Catholic Church.
If we take the meaning of Blasphemy in a broader sense, we will find that every religion blasphemises the other religions as heretics and according to them, Blasphemy is the only sin for which there is no emancipation and are condemned for eternity.
Though god is being propagated by all religions and he is said to be omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient, none have seen or heard god except the clergy and the prophets. It is also not possible to verify whether god has spoken to the prophets, as God and Religion is something to be believed and accepted or disbelieved and rejected.
Whatever may be, Spirit of inquiry and scientific temper should be the right of every citizen in any country. What a few atheists in West Germany did was to question the dogmas. They pointed out the errors and misconceptions in the scriptures. Unless it is proved that god speaks through the prophets and priests, one cannot be sure of the commandments being the god's words. Until then god is only a puppet in the hands of the priests. The blasphemy law protects the priests from being questioned and the spirit of inquiry is nipped in the bud itself. The West German atheists published a cartoon of a catholic priest with god as a puppet in his hand and the blasphemy law in his pocket to protect him. Christ's figure on the rosary showed his head lowered in shame. Christ was not blasphemised. For this cartoon dozens of atheists in West Germany were arrested and prosecuted. But because of the protests of the free thinkers from other countries, the cases were withdrawn.
God or religion can survive only if it can withstand reason. What we cannot understand is when god is omnipotent why the Religious heads should protect their god from the onslaught of reason. If religious texts are true why are they incapable of proving it. Instead of fighting questions with rational answers why do they use law to supress reason?
After lying low for two years, the draconian law has raised its head once again. We understand that on 17-5-1988, Gottfried Niemietz of Freiburg, attorney of the free thinkers was served with a formal accusation for blasphemy under section 166 cc by the Wurzburg legal prosecutor. The alleged accusations are 1. Niemietz called the church "the biggest criminal organisation of history." Niemietz is also alleged to have used the word "Kleriker - Schweine." According to Niemietz, the second accusation is unfounded. what could have been done by the Church was to take action for defamation, if they felt that the accusations were false. The inquisitions of the middle ages will prove whether church is a criminal organisation or not, or whether the church practices Bible. Just a few quotes from the Bible:
5-39 (St. Mathews) But I say unto you, that yee resist not evil, but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
5-43 (St. Mathews): Ye have heard that it hath been said, Though shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say into you, Love your enemies, bless them that curses you. Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
10-9 (St. Mathews): Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses.
10-10: no scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves; for the workman is worthy of his meat.
What is really happening in the world is that the name and influence of the revolutionaries are misused by the reactionary forces again to exploit the people whom the revolutionary tried to free from dogmas.
I do not know whether reason would prevail with the priests who suppress reason and free thinking. We sincerely believe that reason would prevail with the West German Government and this barbarian law of blasphemy would be thrashed and the prosecution against the Atheists are withdrawn for ever. We in India are deeply concerned about the onslaught against Atheists in West Germany. If religion and god would like to survive let them fight with reason and not by force and suppression.
Yours humanly,
B. Premanand
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