Ban the Bible

If anyone gets to pick which books to toss out of the library if found offensive, I first suggest banning the bible. Its full of descriptive sexual acts, murder and mayhem.

Because of this so called word of God, for many generations; Jews, Muslims, Native Americans, Africans, Homosexuals, Women, Heretics...... all have been killed because this book says its ok to do so. The killings have subsided, but today many use it to wantonly discriminate



Public voices opinion over
By ALANA LISTOE - Independent Record - 09/17/08
Mike Cronin, of Helena, testified that the public library has an obligation to provide all material to clients and does not have any obligation to serve as parents.

He was one of about 20 people who spoke at a public hearing Tuesday night in support of keeping the book, “The Joy of Gay Sex,” at the Lewis and Clark Public Library.

More than a dozen people testified for removal of the book. Helena resident Wayne Beckman was one of those individuals saying the books showed immorality.

“People die from this,” Beckman said while holding up a picture he printed from the book, adding it causes HIV.

The request to remove the book came from Paul Cohen, of Helena, who found the book on one of his frequent visits to the library in February. Per library protocol, the book was reviewed by the library’s collection review committee, which recommended keeping it. Library Director Judy Hart accepted their recommendation of retaining the book saying that it is the library’s obligation to provide information to all segments of society.

Cohen testified that the library does not have its own mind.
“It’s here to serve us, rather than us serving the library,” he said. “Any Helena citizen can purchase it and keep the book at home — no one is being denied the freedom of speech.”

Many supporters of Cohen said the material is pornographic and shouldn’t be purchased with taxpayer money. While opponents said it’s not up the board or the community to judge what the informational needs of individuals are. Several opponents of removing the book suggested the library create a section where access to material is limited to adults.

Bernadine Abbott-Hoduski, who worked on a recent campaign for the library mill levy, said in order to get the people of Helena to vote favorably she had to promise the library will not discriminate.

She said she doesn’t feel that her fellow citizens, the library or the board should be permitted to tell her or her children or grandchildren what they can read.

“Every citizen needs to be treated with respect,” Abbott-Hoduski said.

The book has been in the library’s circulation since 1993, with several replacement copies purchased as new editions were printed, most recently in November of 2007. It was checked out three times before removal for the review procedure.

Because Cohen challenged the decision by Hart, the Library Board of Directors held the public hearing on the issue. They had no dialogue with attendees or fellow board members at the meeting and made no decision.

Nedra Chandler, a public-meeting moderator from Helena, facilitated the hearing. She enforced a time limit for each testimony (three minutes), as well as prohibited booing or clapping.

Written comments will be accepted at the library until Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. Comments have a limit of one page per person.

A decision is expected at the Oct. 21 board meeting.

Reporter Alana Listoe: 447-4081 or alana.listoe@helenair.com

Reader Comments:
rlabelin wrote on Sep 17, 2008 9:55 AM:
" I think Paul Cohen should read more books. Might I recomend farenhieht 411. Or maybe he will want it out of the library too as most facists would. "

naturalblonde196 wrote on Sep 17, 2008 8:25 AM:
" Just have a section of the library behind the checkout like in the convenience stores that have an X-rated section. Only adults can check them out. I for one don't want my children to be able to just pick it up and look at it. "

akraft9 wrote on Sep 17, 2008 8:07 AM:
" Keep the book! "

greenanvil wrote on Sep 17, 2008 7:44 AM:
" By all means the library should keep the book in circulation. There are books in the library about cooking and smoking meat, how to prepare meals with meat, and the vegans and vegetarians are not protesting the presence of those books. There are books in the library to help backyard mechanics work on their cars. I've not heard of a mechanic from a local garage protesting the presence of those books. This wasn't about censorship. It was about hate-mongers picking a fight, jamming a stick into the hornet's nest to see what happens. Don't make the public library a place to spread your hatred and fear. "

gun961960 wrote on Sep 17, 2008 7:27 AM:
" Wayne Beckman....here people are having a dialogue on a sensative issue and you step up with mis-leading information that is just plain bigotry. What you could of said was that unprotected sex can cause HIV....but what you chose to say instead was that gay sex causes HIV...which is now been proven over and over to be something from the past. You sir are a fear monger, a bigot, and other names that are unnecessary to point out. The leading demographic for contracting HIV now is young white heterosexuals!!! I still don't understand why the moral police is reading this book? Like I said if you don't wish to know the joys of gay sex then perhaps you should not read the book??? Just a thought. "