Curse

Paul Mahdi · Sep 28, 2006, 12:19 AM // 00:19

Half Priced Books has started a website against book censorship:

http://www.deletecensorship.org/homepage.html

They compiled a list of the most fought over and banned books:

http://www.deletecensorship.org/down...oklist_hpb.pdf

You'd be surprised as to what is on there...

Just to mention a few: To Kill A Mockingbird, Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, A Light In The Attic.

Death of A Salesman because parents of students called it "junk".

Charlie and a Chocolate Factory because a librarian thought the book espoused a poor philosophy of life. (Then please, tell us the true meaning of life oh great and powerful anonymous librarian)

And most ironical is Farenheit 451. A book about book burning and censorship. With a message saying that books are banned due to fear of too much individualism and independent thought.

I think Mark Twain said it best, "Censorship is telling me I can't eat a steak because a baby can't chew it"

Opeth11 · Sep 28, 2006, 12:24 AM // 00:24

Book censorship is teh suck.

To Kill a Mockingbird, Tom Sawyer, and Huckleberry Fin should live on as they are >_>

Relambrien · Sep 28, 2006, 12:40 AM // 00:40

I didn't like To Kill A Mockingbird at all, nor most of the other books you named, however...

Why in the heck censor them? It's a person's choice whether or not to read them (for the most part, anyway), and also a person's choice whether or not to take anything away from them. I read To Kill A Mockingbird, and on the back was some quote saying that it was "a timeless classic about the human dignity that unites us all." I didn't see that in the book at all. All I saw was racism and a man standing up for the rights of the minority. Nothing particularly special, and I really didn't like it, so I didn't take anything away from it.

So what I'm trying to say is, a book can't affect someone unless that someone allows it to happen. Therefore, censorship is pretty idiotic, in my humble opinion. Others will disagree, that's certain. But my opinion is my own and your opinion is your own. I won't try to impress upon you my beliefs, and I expect you to treat me with the same respect. If only the entire world worked like that, eh?

Opeth11 · Sep 28, 2006, 12:45 AM // 00:45

To Kill a Mockingbird is a great book though; whether you like it or not.

Paul Mahdi · Sep 28, 2006, 01:01 AM // 01:01

^lol, that is funny to me. "My opinion is fact; whether you agree or not" is what I saw.

My opinion (Realized I never actually stated it) is that if you don't like a book enough to consider trying to ban it, don't read it.

If everyone had whatever they wanted banned, everything would be. (banned that is)

Opeth11 · Sep 28, 2006, 01:04 AM // 01:04

Actually, To Kill A Mockingbird is believed to be one of the finer pieces of literature ever written. Why else would so many people have read it? Why would so many schools force you to read it?

LadyNilene · Sep 28, 2006, 01:10 AM // 01:10

Exactly, force to read is the key phrase. I didnt care for that book at all, i found it to be such a drag to read...some parts were just so dreadful to me...and trust me, i read quite often (being college bound and all), and that book was just not for me...i found it very cliche, i can easily pick out some books that centers around the same generalization...in fact, i read one short story recently that was somewhat similar during my whole lecture on short story analysis (i think it was called Tiger Eyes? or something to that sort)...of course, im not an english expert, nor would i ever want to be...but To Kill A Mockingbird is definitely not on my top read list. nor is a few other books mentioned above...even with those being banned, im sure there are many other great books that can easily take their place in the curriculum, but i will say that banning books is a bit extreme...

Opeth11 · Sep 28, 2006, 01:17 AM // 01:17

Quote:

J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series continues to top the list of frequently banned and challenged books (2006). Rowling's work first came under strong attack in the 90s.

*lawl*

Sasuke The Betrayer · Sep 28, 2006, 01:18 AM // 01:18

Fahrenheit 451............ftw....

I've had idiots tell me Its Fahrenheit 911 LOL ROFL BBQ

Ulivious The Reaper · Sep 28, 2006, 01:32 AM // 01:32

most of those books are stupidly chosen, they're masterpeices in my eyes, and i'm not one to like books.. as for any book i'd think that'd need to be censored.. the giver.. hands down most controversal book i've read and the only one that has any reason to be censored.. other than that it was a decent book lol

Opeth11 · Sep 28, 2006, 01:33 AM // 01:33

My god, I couldn't bear to read The Giver after about 50 pages o.o

There's just something about it..

Once again, good book, but..gosh..powerful stuffs.

Paul Mahdi · Sep 28, 2006, 01:40 AM // 01:40

I am opposed to all censorship. <--See that? That's a period.

I still can't get over some of those books on the list. Some of them are obvious WHY they were banned, it's just wrong.

For all the people that didn't bother with the banned booklist, Where's Waldo? is in there because there is a picture of a woman on the beach without a top on. (Covered up, but no top...)

Opeth11 · Sep 28, 2006, 01:55 AM // 01:55

No way in hell can you censor Where's Waldo?

That thing taught me how to look carefully for things.

Former Ruling · Sep 28, 2006, 03:54 AM // 03:54

The Dictionary is the Funniest.

BAN THE DICTIONARY FOR HAVING DEFINATIONS FOR WORDS IN IT THAT WE DONT LIKE.

Most of the bans listed though were YEARSSSSSS ago when they could legally ban books on the basis of it being "against Christian morals". Now Seperation of Chruch and State is inforced most places :\

In my 10th grade english class (graduated now) we had a "pick a book and read it" assignment and we had to PLEAD with the Teacher to get to use "A Clockwork Orange" for the assignment.

Electric Sky · Sep 28, 2006, 04:17 PM // 16:17

how much more ridiculous can this get ? ( the censorship, not this thread )

Electric Sky · Sep 28, 2006, 04:22 PM // 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Former Ruling

In my 10th grade english class (graduated now) we had a "pick a book and read it" assignment and we had to PLEAD with the Teacher to get to use "A Clockwork Orange" for the assignment.

I remember a guy in my class wanting to read that book for his English study, but had to go to our Head of English Department to check if our school would give permission to their pupils to use this book for study.

The Real Roy Keane · Sep 28, 2006, 11:05 PM // 23:05

I think censorship is necessary in some cases. Michael Moore's books, for example, should be censored if not banned-not because they're subversive, but because these tomes of epic misinformation have spawned a new breed of obnoxious,intolelrable, self righteous know-it-all-hippies. Damn know-it-all hippies..

Paul Mahdi · Sep 28, 2006, 11:13 PM // 23:13

That knowledge is what got the text book Earth Sciences banned because it didn't support creationism; making it a "tome of epic misinformation" in the eyes of all creationists.

Sadly, truth is in the eye of the beholder