Saturday, August 23, 2008

Nudity in the Narthex or Sex in September

On Thursday the kids and I joined about 20 other people for a viewing of Star Wars Episode VI, The Return of the Jedi. I have come to appreciate the local library for the programs they put on, like the movies, some upcoming days that focus on various science topics and, my kids favorite, the summer reading program.

I probably get 2/3's of the books I read at the local library, which includes some of the books I mentioned on here. I have to refrain from reviewing all the books I read, because it seems a little silly to mention them all. But, I do try to at least share a bit about ones that I find interesting.

There is currently some sort of proposition in my town about banning pornography on the computers at the library. At the library I frequent, the computers are in the middle of the place, right next to the kid's non-fiction section. I can't imagine that as being a good place to have porno shows.

In other news, several of the Churches in town (at least three that I know of), are using September to focus on sex, sending out mailers and the like to advertise the upcoming focus. A couple are using the XXX Church Porn Sunday thing that is to highlight the problem of pornography in general and the effect it has on the Church. I know it is an important topic to address, but I think part of the idea (since one of the Pastor's I know said as much, so it is at least for one congregation) is to shock people by showing them how much they are so unlike all the other Churches(except for all the other Churches that are doing it) because they can talk about sex in their service, out loud. I still think it is an important topic to address from a Christian perspective, but does it need to be done in a way that shocks?

8 comments:

agentpipes said...

I think you're right, FPF. I think christians should talk more about it outside of the Sunday gathering. Unfortunately, Americans are "sick in the head" when it comes to sex and nudity. Most people have no idea how to talk about it, approach it, treat it, enjoy it properly - sadly, I think the christian culture has bred a lot of that thinking and the "sickness" may be worse in the church than outside of it... maybe.

SafeLibraries® said...

You said, "There is currently some sort of proposition in my town about banning pornography on the computers at the library." Would you mind being more specific? Perhaps provide details or links to media reports.

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Actually, I think that it is not a proposition. Although, I for one, would certainly get on the bandwagon for that one!

I believe what we heard on the radio is that it is a campaign issue for the county board of supervisors. Unbelievably, in the past, that majority of them would NOT vote to keep pornography out of public libraries.

SafeLibraries® said...

I know people like to remain anonymous or not disclose certain information, so don't answer if you don't want to, but would you please specify what county? What county board of supervisors? What radio station? What date/time, if you recall, was this story broadcast? Thanks, either way.

Anonymous said...

Some censorship of the web in public libraries is probably necessary but that censorship must be based on objective evidence of harm and not prejudice. What is worse, some commonly held prejudices are directly responsible for causing considerable harm. The teenagers using a library in the USA are nearly ten times more likely to become pregnant than their counterparts in Europe. Prudery is harmful and it is far too common for censorship to be based on prudery.

SafeLibraries® said...

When a library keeps out inappropriate or unlawful material in accordance with the law, that is not censorship. That is selection. Don't fall for people redefining the word censorship.

agentpipes said...

why would a library need pornography of any kind in it?

agentpipes said...

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