Raoul Vaneigem's Anti-Religious Pamphlet Published Amid Houellebecq Blasphemy Trial
Michel Houellebecq is currently on trial in Paris for remarks he made in an interview with Lire magazine, where he labeled Islam as "the stupidest religion." His comments have sparked fears of discrimination against Muslim communities. Supporters warn that a conviction could lead to the revival of France’s dormant blasphemy law, which has not been enforced since the July Monarchy. They also draw attention to historical philosophers like Montaigne, Pascal, and Voltaire, suggesting they too risk consequences for their criticisms of Islam. Meanwhile, Raoul Vaneigem has published an updated edition of 'L'Art de ne croire en rien,' addressing monetary beliefs.
Key facts
- Michel Houellebecq's trial for 'provocation to discrimination, hatred, or violence' against Muslims opens in Paris.
- Houellebecq called Islam 'the stupidest religion' in Lire magazine.
- A petition signed by writers, filmmakers, and journalists supports Houellebecq, warning against reinstating the crime of blasphemy.
- Raoul Vaneigem presents a new edition of 'L'Art de ne croire en rien, suivi du Livre des trois imposteurs' (Rivages poche).
- The 'Treatise of the Three Impostors' is a legendary pamphlet attacking Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad.
- The treatise influenced figures like Rabelais, Marlowe, the curé Meslier, d'Holbach, and Diderot.
- Vaneigem lists historical martyrs of free thought, including Herman of Rijswijk, the monk Scoto, Jacques Gruet, Noël Journet, Étienne Dolet, Théophile de Viau, and Cyrano de Bergerac.
- Vaneigem's essay 'Pour l'abolition de la société marchande pour une société vivante' critiques commodification and global mafias.
Entities
Artists
- Michel Houellebecq
- Raoul Vaneigem
- Averroes
- Montaigne
- Pascal
- Spinoza
- Voltaire
- Schopenhauer
- Claude Lévi-Strauss
- Rabelais
- Marlowe
- curé Meslier
- d'Holbach
- Diderot
- Herman of Rijswijk
- Thomas Scoto
- Jacques Gruet
- Noël Journet
- Étienne Dolet
- Théophile de Viau
- Cyrano de Bergerac
- Geoffroy Vallée
- Frédéric II
- Simon de Tournai
- Étienne de La Boétie
- Guy Debord
Institutions
- Rivages poche
- Lire
- Inquisition
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Geneva
- Metz
- Egypt
Sources
- artpress —