elliot 🇩🇪 🇪🇺 🇬🇧 🏳️‍🌈Jun 2, 2023

The #Bible has been removed from libraries in Utah after a parent used a new law that permits the removal of "pornographic".

The parent argued that the Bible contained topics such as incest, bestiality, genital mutilation, and infanticide, making it pornographic under the new definition set forth in Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-1227.

A GOP lawmaker expressed "sadness" regarding the situation.

https://www.ksl.com/article/50657730/davis-district-pulls-bible-from-elementaries-junior-highs-due-to-vulgarity-or-violence

#BookBans #USA

Davis District pulls Bible from elementaries, junior highs 'due to vulgarity or violence'

The Bible has been removed from all elementary and junior high school libraries throughout the Davis School District after someone challenged its contents.

Show threadCycling StuJun 2, 2023
@els76uk I would argue it has caused more problems than a lot of the books that they have removed previously
Show threadDarwin WoodkaJun 2, 2023
@stufromoz @els76uk the most problems indeed, apparently it makes people crazy and stupid and hateful
Show threadMinisterofimpedimentsJun 2, 2023
@darwinwoodka @stufromoz @els76uk …no. Unfortunately it merely enables the crazy, stupid, and hateful. They don’t use it for salvation, merely interpret it to validate whatever worldview they already hold
Show threadStuart BlairJun 4, 2023
@ministerofimpediments @darwinwoodka @stufromoz @els76uk it's almost as though the Bible is a Rorschach Test for the morally-challenged.
Show threadMinisterofimpedimentsJun 4, 2023
@stuartblair @darwinwoodka @stufromoz @els76uk Again, no…I don’t think so. Morality is a slippery slope idea. I’m sure plenty of those that have used the Bible as a tool against others have believed themselves to be morally correct. So that kinda doesn’t work. A test of comprehension possibly. Too many people interpret instead of understand. Religions are lead by people. People framing ideas/agendas as religious (via the Bible) have started plenty of wars.
Show threadMinisterofimpedimentsJun 4, 2023
@stuartblair @darwinwoodka @stufromoz @els76uk And I’m not grinding an ax on the Bible either. The Bible is just a book. It’s the belief behind the book that causes the problems. The New Testament is actually pretty benign (compared to the OT). I’ve always found it interesting that a lot of Christians live in the OT (Hebrew) or book of Revelations…instead of the actual gospels to make a point.
Show threadStuart Blair

@ministerofimpediments @darwinwoodka @stufromoz @els76uk exactly my point. The Bible can be used provide a justification for their actions. If they're conservative, they'll go to Leviticus or Exodus, if they're progressive, they'll go with the gospels.

That's what makes it like a Rorschach Test. The bits people rely on to justify their actions say more about them than the actual text which, as you point out, is just a book. Some will see butterflies, others will see demons.

Jun 4, 2023 at 4:44amMastodon for Android
Show threadMinisterofimpedimentsJun 4, 2023
@stuartblair @darwinwoodka @stufromoz @els76uk I still have to think no. I’m not particularly religious but I can’t consider the Bible a ‘test’ (Koran, Torah,etc). It’s a book. Imposing a label of test on it is basically just us testing ourselves instead.
The other reason is…I can use Wikipedia to justify my thoughts/opinions too, but it’s not the same. It’s the weight of faith and belief behind these things that is the driving force. And that’s a human thing.