Do you think it is ever OK to ban books?

Question

because of vulgar language, racism, violence, sexual themes, etc?
I don't, because I think we have freedom of speech, but this is the freedom to read. Is it wrong to keep the world from reading? I don't want your personal opinions on whether or not it is fun to read. Please.

Answer 1

Never.

Answer 2

The thing I saw at the public library while taking an 8 year old to find a book for a book report: A book in the children`s section about Charles Manson. I think they damn well better be more responsible than that. All books that are offensive in some way need to be in a special room so young children do not have access to any of it. As for adults, what do you think is wrong with everything nowdays? We think of nothing but vulgar language, racism, violence, and sexual themes. I am sick of it on tv, I am sick of it at the movies, and the books are nothing but trash, and I am sick of seeing it being displayed on signs that the very young can read. They do not have a fighting chance in life anymore. They are constantly having it shoved in their faces without any say so. I truly believe that the eyes are the window to the soul. We didn`t use to be so carnal.

Answer 3

no. take the book "and then there were none" by Agatha Christie. The original title was "ten little *******" and then "ten little Indians". The book's concept was based off a nursery rhyme so offensive it took one's breath away. however, it's an amazing who dunnit story that influenced a lot of pop culture, esp suspense and horror.

In every book there is something to learn, even it it's just insight on radical thought. i do believe, however, that what children read should be monitored. Though people should have the right to determine for themselves what is right, children especially need to be watched to insure that they are receiving at the very least a wide range of opinions that they can understand.

ignorance is never good.

Answer 4

In the US, the limits on free speech are pretty specific.

No incitement to violence, no true threats, no obscenity (as defined by the Supreme Court with under both local standards and national standards). No classified materials without govt authorization.

Other than that, anything that doesn't directly advocate criminal activity can be sold to adults. More restrictions apply to kids.

Answer 5

Banning books is wrong. Plain and simple wrong.

There is value in every written word. The value is in the context in which the book was written. The banned book often reveals a lot about an author, the times the book was written in, and how far we've come in the time since.

Banning books shows that people are afraid, ignorant and mistrusting.

Answer 6

I don't think it is ever okay to ban books, banning a book is just refusing to take personal responsibility for what oyu are exposed to. I do however feel that out of respect for parents rights and choices, certain books should be kept out of the hands of children without parental consent, but beyond that, if people chose not to read books that were immoral and inappropriate, then there would be no market for them and no need to ban them.
God gave us free will and we are going to choose to sin or not. If we choose it, we will have to deal with the consequences for ourselves and for our children and possibly their children.

Answer 7

wouldnt the written word be considerd a form of free speech? the sale of vulgar books can be regulated i suppose but you have to pick a book up and read it to be offended and you have the luxury of being able to shut the pages and set it down

Answer 8

They shouldn't be banned but most of those that we think are inappropriate should not be in school libraries!! With all the violence and bullying going on in schools we should beware of what the books in the school library are promoting!!!

Answer 9

Its O.K to ban books in school. If its offensive to a certain race, or contains material not suitable for children it should be banned. Adults can read anything they want.

Answer 10

I find it interesting that rascist books are banned, but anti-christian books are glorified.

Isn't anti-christianity a form of rascism? Would we tolerate anti-semitism? anti-hinduism? anti-islamism?

This country has lost it's way.

Personally, I don't think anything should be banned except pornography. Isn't pornography prostitution? Being paid to have sex on camera is no different from being paid to have sex OFF camera.

I'm sure I'll be shouted down...

Answer 11

They shouldn't be banned but limited in their access in certain situations. A child molester shouldn't have access to explicit literature in the jail library. Elementary school students shouldn't have overly mature books in their collections etc.