Should certain books be banned?

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   USMCwifey09posted 14 years ago

   There is always an ongoing debate over what should or shouldn't be taught in schools. I'm simply curious as to what fellow hubbers think. So, feel free to jump in!

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   RadioMan86posted 14 years ago

   Exposure is a good thing. It's important to broaden student's minds. It's what they learn from it that makes it important. Sure there are books that are heavy in terms of content, but it's worse to ban them instead of explaining the value behind the lesson simply because the educator (or who ever) disagrees with it's purpose.

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   Rafiniposted 14 years ago

   Books should not be banned, however, books in public schools need to be age-appropriate.

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      Marisa Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Ditto

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   luvpassionposted 14 years ago

   I think, all too often, we ban books because we are lazy. It would have been much easier to refuse to read Adolf Hitler's great work of insanity "Mein Kampf. I wasn't convinced anyone could be so evily insane.
   
   It would have been easier to ban his thoughts from my mind. But how much wiser, how much more responsible, how much more a boon to my education and development as a human being was my professor to take the time to talk to me about what I had read?
   
   Laziness isn't the only reason we ban. We also ban books out of fear or misunderstanding, or because we want to control.
   
   I worked for a church for several years and was caught up in the great Harry Potter maelstrom. As soon as I heard a minister say, "Now I haven't read these books myself, but here's why you should keep them out of your children's hands," I wanted a copy of each. In a few weeks, I had read all that were available, and I was getting myself into all kinds of trouble at work by trying to enlighten my fellow Christians as to the positive nature of the stories. But fear has its claws in firmly.
   
   So I say no to book banning and agree with USMC.
   
   Teri

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      USMCwifey09posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I remember the Harry Potter issue. To an extent, something like that also teaches kids that you shouldn't read for just fun...even if the book in question is for all intensive purposes harmless. Again, it goes back to teaching kids to be able to distinguish reality from fantasy, right from wrong, etc.

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         luvpassionposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         If children read Harry Potter then they might want to be witches, and we couldn't have that. Better to ban the books from the school and deny some of the most entertaining and thought provoking children's books I'd encountered in a while, than to take a chance on having to explain your position of faith to your child.
         
         Better that no one should have to think.
         
         When we remove books from our libraries for whatever reason, we limit our children. We cut off their horizons. We slam doors of opportunity. We starve their minds. It takes more time, it takes more effort and it takes more heart, but rather than banning books, we should be educating our children.
         
         We should be teaching them to think and reason. We should be giving them the tools they need to read about the vastness of their worlds and see clearly the differences between good and evil.
         
         Hiding what we think is evil from them doesn't teach them anything. Teaching them to navigate their worlds through literature and art gives them a rock solid foundation.

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   Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

   Nope, I don't believe in banning books at all. But like others said, should be age appropriate. But the others should be available for kids who want to learn more...

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   Cagsilposted 14 years ago

   Books banned?
   
   Banned from where?
   
   There can never be a reason for a ban on a book, because it breaks a person's individual freedom of expression.
   
   Are you talking about books banned from schools?
   Or Libraries? Or Being sold?
   
   Just curious.

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      Mishaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Reading the first post in addition to the title may help to clarify the question. At least it helped me

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         Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I did read the post and the title, and still needed to ask for clarification.
         
         The libraries inside schools are allowed to sell the books it has on hand or that are donated to the school.
         
         The schools should only ban one book from entering the school and that would be a religious book. Especially, if it is a public school.
         
         The libraries of each school should have all forms of books(except for religious).

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            USMCwifey09posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Apologies for the confusion, Cags!  Banned from schools and libraries. And thank you for your input

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            luvpassionposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I disagree...banning books is just that no matter the content.
            
            I think book banning is lazy, fearful and controlling. When we start banning books (religious or otherwise) I think we steal from our children.
            
            When we deny them books. We slam doors in their faces and we keep them from the magic of life.

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            Mishaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Umm, ok, I am probably is not too familiar with American schools, hence did not see the difference.
            
            Yet your suggestion to ban religious books surprised me. Whether you guys have free speech, or you don't. This covers everything, including religion.

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   Jackson Riddleposted 14 years ago

   I heard that the book "American Psycho" came shrink wrapped and you had to be over 18 to purchase it. Could just be a myth though as I have never heard of this being done.

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      Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I haven't heard anything like that about that book. But, then again, I'm not much into that type of reading.

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   seanorjohnposted 14 years ago

   Yes, I think all books should be banned in schools.
   Knowledge is a dangerous thing.

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   Ohmaposted 14 years ago

   I think that book banning would just open the door for more government control and really who needs any more of that? They already tell us how we can do everything else from raising our kids to spending our money. why give them control of our minds as well?

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      Mishaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      They already have it, through public education. On this optimistic note - night everybody

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