Censoring or banning books

[Phlegmak]

Should books be banned or censored, ever?

For example, should pornography be kept out of libraries? (I'm against it being in libraries.)

There are some books which could be considered dangerous for society, for example The Anarchists' Cookbook. The book tells the reader how to make various types of explosives. (I haven't read it.)

Then there are books that teach violence, such as the Koran or Bible. Obviously, most people would disagree with my sentence I just stated and absolutely wouldn't want either banned or censored.

In my opinion, no books should be banned or censored ever, and places that children go should ban only the bare minimum of books, such as pornography. One could make an argument that banning books like The Anarchists' Cookbook is a good thing, but I'd prefer the freedom to read it if I choose.

There's also a book named Hitman which was described by people as a recipe for murder. The book was actually used by a guy as a guide to murdering someone. Supposedly. But he was caught, so it seems the book isn't the perfect recipe for murder afterall.

EDIT: By the way, Frank Zappa thinks it's ok for children to be exposed to stuff typically considered adult material. Just an FYI.

 

[downtown]

I think this is way too vague of a question to discuss intelligently.

I don't think that books should be flat out banned (i.e illegal to own a copy), but there are many shades in between. Not stocking a book in a public library isn't the same thing.

 

[El_Machinae]

What about articles from someone who describes the torturing they've done of someone? Suppose the person cannot be caught (hiding in the Amazon), but publishes a book detailing their crimes, along with photos, etc.

 

[Mowque]

as a librarian (in training) we cover this is great detail, and i've heard it argued in every way...and i agree with Downtown (who should check his PM's btw)

 

[Winner]

Only pornography - it should be kept away from children.

Everything else should be legal.

 

[Mowque]

Only pornography - it should be kept away from children.

Everything else should be legal.

What about very dirty books? or books with very explicit scenes written int hem?

 

[Phlegmak]

I think this is way too vague of a question to discuss intelligently.

I don't think that books should be flat out banned (i.e illegal to own a copy), but there are many shades in between. Not stocking a book in a public library isn't the same thing.

Well, I suck then.

 

[Winner]

What about very dirty books? or books with very explicit scenes written int hem?

Nothing...

 

[Fugitive Sisyphus]

I think this is way too vague of a question to discuss intelligently.

I don't think that books should be flat out banned (i.e illegal to own a copy), but there are many shades in between. Not stocking a book in a public library isn't the same thing.

After one post, there was nothing more to be said.

 

[holy king]

What about articles from someone who describes the torturing they've done of someone? Suppose the person cannot be caught (hiding in the Amazon), but publishes a book detailing their crimes, along with photos, etc.

i fail to see why this would be a borderline case ?

 

[warpus]

Librarians should use their discretion on what books are appropriate to be on their shelves and which ones aren't.

I mean, a playboy doesn't really belong in a public library, but a book about sexuality obviously does...

The real question is what guidelines the librarians should be following..

As for banning books outright, that is a very bad idea.

 

[Masquerouge]

I don't understand why pornography should be banned from libraries but not violent books.

Usually there is a kid section in libraries, that should be safe for kids to wander in and check out everything, and librarians can try to make sure kids don't get their hands on inappropriate material, but ultimately it's up to the parents to make informed decision about what their kids should read and should not.

And no, books should not be banned and/or censored.

 

[oagersnap]

Only pornography - it should be kept away from children.

Everything else should be legal.

What about books with descriptions and pictures of brutal violence, torture and murder? Should they be available to children?

 

[luiz]

Over here many books are banned, which I find quite ridiculous, especially in the internet age.

 

[Shekwan]

The Grapes of Wrath should be banned because of its filthy anti-Catholic views.

Damn intellectuals.

 

[Dachs]

All historical texts I disagree with should be banned so that nobody else can become tainted with view opposed to mine.

 

[mangxema]

I don't understand why pornography should be banned from libraries but not violent books.

Usually there is a kid section in libraries, that should be safe for kids to wander in and check out everything, and librarians can try to make sure kids don't get their hands on inappropriate material, but ultimately it's up to the parents to make informed decision about what their kids should read and should not.

And no, books should not be banned and/or censored.

I agree with this.

Over here many books are banned, which I find quite ridiculous, especially in the internet age.

You could make the argument that the internet makes it easier to justify banning books. Back in the day, when libraries were the hub of knowledge if you will, it was easy to give an indignant response to being deprived of rights to information. But with the internet, you can find just about anything if you really want to. I suppose you can't rent books for free online like you can with a library, but the deprivation argument just doesn't pack the punch it used to.

 

[holy king]

i dont get why children should be kept away from pornography.

 

[Formaldehyde]

I think this is way too vague of a question to discuss intelligently.

I don't think that books should be flat out banned (i.e illegal to own a copy), but there are many shades in between. Not stocking a book in a public library isn't the same thing.

I agree. Perhaps it would help if we actually consider some actual examples of books which frequently do get "challenged":

http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/bannedbooksweek/bbwlinks/topten2000to2005.cfm

1. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

2. "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier

3. Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

4. "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck

5. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

6. "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers

7. "It's Perfectly Normal" by Robie Harris

8. Scary Stories series by Alvin Schwartz

9. Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey

10. "Forever" by Judy Blume

Unfortunately, one of my favorites disappeared from the list:

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

I bet Samuel Clemens wouldn't care much for that. He always enjoyed being considered controversial for merely speaking his mind.

 

[Grisu]

what's the reasoning behind trying to get the above mentioned books banned?