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Behemoth Frontman Nergal's Blasphemy Case Dismissed

Band Photo: Behemoth (?)
The District Court for Gdynia has dismissed the investigation against Behemoth frontman Adam Darski (pseudonym/nickname Nergal) accused of an offence against religious feelings (sec. 196 of polish Criminal Code). The case was filed against Darski after a tore up a bible on stage at a Behemoth concert in September 2007.
During the preparatory proceedings the defender filled the application, which was entirely accepted by the Court. The defendant’s behaviour wasn’t recognised as a crime. Moreover the Court acknowledged no causal connection/cause-and-effect relationship between Adam Darski’s behaviour and the consequence in a form of outrage of religious emotions.
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46 Comments on "Behemoth Frontman's Case Dismissed"
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As cliche as it seems, it was obviously an effective action if he got taken to court over it. Bibles get ripped up on a daily basis here, often for weed paper, so the idea of tearing up a bible for shock value seems kind of lame in comparison, but it's another country with other values, so I'm sure he knew what he was doing. The funny thing is it's nothing compared to the blasphemy charge that was brought against Gorgoroth a few years back.
Yeah. Gorgoroth did a show in Poland in 2004 (I forget the name of the town/city but it was where Pope John Paul II was from) that featured naked models on crosses, decapitated sheep heads and other such imagery. The band was charged with blasphemy but were eventually let off because they were foreign and unaware of the law. The concert was filmed for a live DVD but it took years to release because Polish authorities seized the footage. The promoter however, did go to prison for allowing a blasphemous concert.
jeez....what a deal
god, i figured a country with such laws limiting free speech to be hardly the type to make exception for 'ignorantia juris non exusat'...but i guess it is in their best interent to make an effort at maintaining int'l diplomacy, eh?
the poles convicting and sentencing the gorgons probably wouldn't sit to well with the norsk in principle....but their government probably wouldn't mind being rid of them kooky dudes for a while anyway ;)
gaal at least is a convicted criminal there

I see behemoth fans woo hooing, high fiveing, pattin each other on the azz, and running around with horns up in the air acting like they just won the stanley cup...
Kinda like when blacks went into a tizzy when OJ was not guilty thinking they had just won something......
I dont think they really had a case against him so thats why it was dropped...but tearing up a book or any piece of literature is not art, and completly idiotic and balless

This is good news. But:
(1) The law itself (Article 196 of the Polish Criminal Code) is still on the books and has not even been directly challenged.
(2) Nergal's defense was based not on the right to say whatever he wants about the Catholic Church, but only on the "artistic freedom". In other words, if someone who is not an "artist" said and did the same thing, it would be a completely different story.
(3) At least one other case (that of Nergal's fiance, Doda) is still ongoing.
(4) The prosecutor will appeal the dismissal.
It is a great victory that Nergal is still a free man. But until the law itself is changed no one in Poland is really free to speak their mind.
Background on the whole scope of freedom of speech issues in Poland can be found here:
http://egregores.blogspot.com/2010/05/sex-religion-art-music-freedom-of.html
As I said before, in the USA or Britain, tearing up a bible to try and make a point does seems weak and lame, but doing it in a country that is that protective of Christianity is more of an effective statement. The idea of defacing a bible to seem rebellious seems stupid to us because we're used to outspoken atheists such as Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins debunking religion in a much more intelligent fashion and we don't have laws that prohibit us from "insulting religious feelings," though there are laws of a similar nature in the UK that are there to basically ensure the protection of other faiths, but that's for another time. The point being that the simplest, and even dumbest of actions, can still be a bold statement.

As odd a crime/charge as it was, one has to understand the background of religion in Poland to understand the blasphemey charge. Look what religious intolerance did in Poland just 60-odd years ago... I know, a bit of a stretch, but it kind of makes sense.
Am still glad to hear the case was dropped, though.

LOL...i'm here, rat....i must say - i actually agree with your first comment - ripping Bibles is cliché indeed. Though i must say i disagree with post 10 and 11. Nergal could convert and still remain a metalhead and the Bible is not a roman catholic book - heck, they don't even follow it. Maybe i should change my name to Eli just to please my favorite rat from hell ;-)
I have a love and hate emotions with BEHEMOTH at times...'howbeit it's mostly "love" cause I like them: "hate" is to strong a word/I wouldn't say hate them/that's cruel...'maybe get mad at them sometimes but not all the time. BEHEMOTH are "complex" to me they can really rattle your mind especially if your a Spiritual person (believe in God, Christ the Lord...'which I do) and even if you aren't they still rattle your senses and at times can be quite frightening. smile. Anyway, it's pretty serious charges/situration that Frontman/Leader NERGAL of BEHEMOTH was facing - and although is shocking of the Bible tearing incident/which was built up anger/frustration due to his/Nergal own beliefs that he got into trouble with the Law of POLAND. I'm happy/thrilled to hear that the charges were dismissed...'and Nergal and his band are cleared from this matter." This is a heavy Topic.

post 34 - i am happy to hear that you are a believer - esp. in our times knowing that being a true christian is an 'UNpopular' thing to be. Welcome to the minority !! (Matt.7:13,14). Though i agree with post 33 - the actual lyrics are hidden within the godzilla-like vocals............
Nevertheless, as a believer it would be wiser to avoid such bands KNOWING the content (2 Corinthians 6:14,15).
There are other bands that can fill the void :-)

As a christian myself I enjoy Behemoths crazy music... they got a lot of talent.. even thou i disagree or dont care about their lyrics..
when i heard about them ripping up the Bible at a gig.. it was perfectly normal...
they Want to be controversial and thats what they do..
same idea behind Nergal dating polish popstar- Doda... free publicity ;)
In response to comment 35, no offense taken: personally to me tearing up the Bible is offensive but I don't "hate" the person/Mr. Nergal (his a trip) that tore it up but the deed of doing such a thing. But it's his right/Nergal own personal feelings...'And it's my right to voice my thoughts! And listern to whom I wish to listern to rather extreme or not: even though BEHEMOTH maddens me sometimes/not often 'cause I do expect them to do someting in the reverse "rattle the mind" of many Spiritual believers. And #39 "thank-you" for being in my defense/understanding me. Peace and Godbless. And I "care" about BEHEMOTH Nergal, Inferno, Orion & Set alot body, Spirit and Soul: they are amazing men/musicians with and without that frightening make-up.

So how many poles did it take to lock up metal musician? Im justa keedin lighten up. I think you hit it on the head with those religous laws you gotta understand since the 40's until like the late 80's poland was under communist rule hence the warsaw pact so i can these guys defending religon in a way. But im glad Adam didn't get locked for something small like that and i have yet to watch that amazing gorgoroth footage.
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good job Polska...perhaps this whole farce will prompt a reevalution of such archaic statutes there
though still think tearing up bibles to be rather cliche form of 'rebel expression'....but whatever