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from other countries, the cases were withdrawn.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
