An Interview with
Deon Maas

Journalist & Director of Meerkat Media

DEON MAAS

Penton: As an atheist, why did you choose to write an article on 'Satanism'for Rapport? Maas: I am not an atheist. I just despise any form of organised religion because it forces people to conform to certain ideas in order to belong to the group. It comes down to undue peer pressure that minimizes free thinking and forming your own opinion. This includes Satanism. If you read the piece carefully (especially the original in Afrikaans and not all the translated ones floating around the web) you will see that it is not a piece about satanism, but one that encourages tolerance and encourages people to listen to other people's ideas, not necessarily agree with it, but understanding it.

The original Afrikaans piece has a lot of subtle word plays, satire and very dark humor in it. That went missing in the translations and obviously went over the head of the great protectors of christian values in our society.

Penton: Did you anticipate the negative response from Rapport's readers? When and how did you first find out about the boycott against your article?

Maas: I have been writing for the Afrikaans media for a while. My columns always get a reaction, sometimes positive, sometimes negative. Because I do not follow or push a certain philosophy some people who love me this week, hate me the next week. I did anticipate a reaction and I got one. Unfortunately it was a small vocal minority that beat the shit out of a silent majority. If people agree with you, they don't send letters of congratulations, people who disagree do. I became aware of it on Monday 12 November when one of my friends forwarded the sms to me. Shortly thereafter my phone started ringing with angry Christians spewing bile. Not a single one of them had actually read the article.

Penton: What do you think about the boycott being organised against Rapport by folks who feel that you were unfairly dismissed?

Boikot Rapport / Boycott Rapport

Maas: I really appreciate the effort and in these times it is great to know that there are actually people who will stand up for what they believe in. However I know that they will not even make a dent. In order for this kind of thing to work you have to be fanatical and very angry, scream hysterically and kick some nuts. It doesn't help to politely add your name to a Facebook page that most people over 25 (i.e. the decision-makers) don't even know about. The only way to change things is through direct action. The fundamentalist showed everybody how to bring about change.

Penton: How do you feel about Steve Hofmeyer's verbal attack against you on his blog?

Maas: Steve Hofmeyr is an ideological retard. He's moving more and more to the right every day. I see in this morning's Beeld he's hanging out with a convicted racist murderer, the ex-AWB leader Eugene Terre'blanche. His views on religion are very clear. He's an atheist, but now that he is trying to set himself up as the new Afrikaner leader, he's down playing that part of his past. In the market that he is popular in he will score major points for bashing me, so I guess it's all part of the play to get a cabinet post in Zuma's government.

Penton: Are you planning to take legal action against Rapport for your unfair dismissal?

Maas: I prefer not to discuss this at the moment.

Penton: Do you find no redeeming qualities in religion or spirituality in general?

Maas: My beliefs will take many pages to explain. I do not subscribe to any specific religion. I get things from various religions, philosophies, or from Chappie wrappers that I think are important. This all sinks down to establish a set of rules that I live by, judge myself by, and judge others by.

Contact Deon Maas

Meerkat Media