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'''Holocaust denial''' is a belief that the Nazi [[Holocaust]] did not occur, or occurred to a lesser extent than believed by the preponderance of scholars. Holocaust deniers assert that the Nazis did not attempt to exterminate the [[Jews]] (as well as political opponents, Gypsies, Catholics and other Christian church members opposed to his policies, mentally retarded individuals, homosexuals, etc.) during [[World War II]].

'''Holocaust denial''' is a belief that the Nazi [[Holocaust]] did not occur, or occurred to a lesser extent than believed by the preponderance of scholars. Holocaust deniers assert that the Nazis did not attempt to exterminate the [[Jews]] (as well as political opponents, Gypsies, Catholics and other Christian church members opposed to his policies, mentally retarded individuals, homosexuals, etc.) during [[World War II]].

The holocaust denial view point has no support amongst any significant number of scholars. This denial is partly a result of a growing number of [[Existentialism|existentialist]] thinkers who refer to history as simply a "myth" as well as the result of the efforts of history revisionists and [[anti-Semitism|anti-Semites]].

The holocaust denial view point has no support amongst any significant number of scholars. This denial is partly a result of a growing number of [[Existentialism|existentialist]] thinkers who refer to history as simply a "myth" as well as the result of the efforts of liberal history revisionists and [[anti-Semitism|anti-Semites]].

As denial of the holocaust is nonfactual, another common strategy of history revisionism is to use relativism by comparing it to other genocides, the death toll of Germans in WWII, persecution of homosexuals in Nazi Germany, or the number of abortions.

As denial of the holocaust is nonfactual, another common strategy of history revisionism is to use relativism by comparing it to other genocides, the death toll of Germans in WWII, persecution of homosexuals in Nazi Germany, or the number of abortions, in an attempt at [[moral equivalence]].

One of its main purposes is to discredit the establishment of the nation of [[Israel]] in 1948. Questioning the historicity of the Holocaust is considered gravely offensive to Jews,<ref>http://skepdic.com/holocaustdenial.html</ref> and anti-Semitic in nature. Denying the Holocaust is illegal in a number of European countries. In 2007, a German court sentenced notorious [[historical revisionist]] and denier Ernst Zündel to five years in prison for "incitement of racial hatred." <ref>http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/03/01/zundel-release.html</ref>

One of its main purposes is to discredit the establishment of the nation of [[Israel]] in 1948. Questioning the historicity and authenticity of the Holocaust is considered gravely offensive to Jews,<ref>http://skepdic.com/holocaustdenial.html</ref> and anti-Semitic in nature. Denying the Holocaust is illegal in a number of European countries. In 2007, a German court sentenced notorious [[historical revisionist]] and denier Ernst Zündel to five years in prison for "incitement of racial hatred." <ref>http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/03/01/zundel-release.html</ref>

Despite the lack of a written order, Hitler's intentions were well-known. In a 1939 speech in the Reichstag, Hitler voiced a goal of "annihilation of the Jewish race in Europe."<ref>http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/denialbrief.html</ref> Aside from that, an abundance of eyewitness testimony, diaries and orders from other Nazi officials make it clear that there was a planned extermination campaign in place.<ref>http://www.auschwitz.dk/hitler.htm</ref><ref>http://www.nizkor.org/hweb/orgs/american/skeptic-magazine/skeptic-9.html</ref> It is highly unlikely that a project of this size would occur without the knowledge or consent of the notoriously autocratic Hitler.

Despite the lack of a written order, Hitler's intentions were well-known. In a 1939 speech in the Reichstag, Hitler voiced a goal of "annihilation of the Jewish race in Europe."<ref>http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/denialbrief.html</ref> Aside from that, an abundance of eyewitness testimony, diaries and orders from other Nazi officials make it clear that there was a planned extermination campaign in place.<ref>http://www.auschwitz.dk/hitler.htm</ref><ref>http://www.nizkor.org/hweb/orgs/american/skeptic-magazine/skeptic-9.html</ref> It is highly unlikely that a project of this size would occur without the knowledge or consent of the notoriously autocratic Hitler.

As well, there is abundant evidence that Nazi officials ordered widespread destruction of such written orders towards the end of the war. As it appeared increasingly likely that Germany would lose the war, Himmler ordered such documentation destroyed, so as to avoid incriminating the regime. There also exists a signed order dated April, 1945, in which Himmler orders that no prisoner "fall into the hands of the enemies alive," since their testimony would condemn the Nazi leaders.<ref>http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/denialbrief.html</ref>

As well, there is abundant evidence that Nazi officials ordered widespread destruction of such written orders towards the end of the war. As it appeared increasingly likely that Germany would lose the war, Himmler ordered such documentation destroyed, so as to avoid incriminating the regime. There also exists a signed order dated April 1945, in which Himmler orders that no prisoner "fall into the hands of the enemies alive," since their testimony would condemn the Nazi leaders.<ref>http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/denialbrief.html</ref>

While awaiting trial in 1960, Nazi officer Adolf Eichmann said that Reinhard Heydrich, chief of the Reich Main Security Office had told him in August 1941 that "the Führer has ordered the physical extermination of the Jews."<ref>http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/denial.html</ref>

While awaiting trial in 1960, Nazi officer Adolf Eichmann said that Reinhard Heydrich, chief of the Reich Main Security Office had told him in August 1941 that "the Führer has ordered the physical extermination of the Jews."<ref>http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/denial.html</ref>

== Holocaust Denial in Germany ==

== Holocaust Denial in Germany ==

Holocaust denial is particularly sensitive issue in Germany, the former seat of the Nazi regime. The country first outlawed denial movements in 1985, making it a crime to deny the extermination of the Jews. The law was amended in 1994, imposing a fine and a five-year prison sentence on anyone who publicly endorses, denies or plays down the genocide against the Jews.<ref>http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,1833619,00.html</ref> In 2007, the German government spearheaded a movement to ban Holocaust denial throughout the [[European Union]].<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6263103.stm</ref>

Holocaust denial is a particularly sensitive issue in Germany, the former seat of the Nazi regime. The country first outlawed denial movements in 1985, making it a crime to deny the extermination of the Jews. The law was amended in 1994, imposing a fine and a five-year prison sentence on anyone who publicly endorses, denies or plays down the genocide against the Jews.<ref>http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,1833619,00.html</ref> In 2007, the German government spearheaded a movement to ban Holocaust denial throughout the [[European Union]].<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6263103.stm</ref>

== Holocaust Denial by "Christians" ==

== Holocaust Denial by "Christians" ==

The Westboro Baptist Church, a group of homophobic, Christian extremists and self-proclaimed "fag-haters" and creators of the website [http://www.godhatesfags.com GodHatesFags.com], created a parody of "Hey Jude" by the Beatles titled "Hey Jews".

The Westboro Baptist Church, a group of homophobic, "Christian" extremists and self-proclaimed "fag-haters" and creators of the website [http://www.godhatesfags.com GodHatesFags.com], created a parody of "Hey Jude" by the Beatles titled "Hey Jews".

This song features several anti-Semitic remarks, including the line "Fag & dyke rabbis teach rebellion. You lie about the holocaust days". Clearly stating that they believe the Holocaust was a lie created by homosexual rabbis.

This song features several anti-Semitic remarks, including the line "Fag & dyke rabbis teach rebellion. You lie about the holocaust days". Clearly stating that they believe the Holocaust was a lie created by homosexual rabbis.