Dementia for 2

One of my favorite times of the year is coming up. I am talking about Banned Books Week. Back when I had more money, I would make it a point of buying at least 5 books that were banned.

Since I my love of reading is well known, I used this opportunity to explain to my children why I thought books should not be banned. I feel that many groups and governments including ours, fail to realize that we do have some common sense. While I would not let my elementary age child read something like Catcher in the Rye, I read it as a high school student as I am sure many of you did. I don't think it warped my mind nor do I fell the need to go and do something totally stupid because of it.

Part of having the freedoms that we have, is the ability to make choices about what we allow into our lives. When we allow others to make these choices for us, we are giving up our free thought. We are allowing our lives to be dictated by a select few.

While there are many books on the list that I would not personally read, that does not mean that the choice should be taken from others. Below are the top 10 banned books for 2009.

If you go to the ALA's site, you can find a wealth of information on what type of groups challenge books how books are banned and why certain books have been banned.



10. The Color Purple. It has been banned because of its extreme and graphic violence, troubling ideas about relations between races, African history, human sexuality, and man’s relationship with God.

9. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. The book has been banned because of its explicit scenes of rape and other sexual abuse, as well as violence, homosexuality, and vulgar language.

8.To Kill A Mockingbird. The book has been challenged many times because of how it deals with race issues. It is extremely prejudice and stereotypical. The novel also portrays an assault that is somewhat sexual, resulting in a rape. Vulgar language, including the “n” word, is also used.

7. Brave New World. The book has been banned for its strong themes of drugs, sexuality, and suicide. In the novel, something as minute as chewing gum is seen as a way to deliver sex hormones, and pornographic films are spread around like free candy. Simply, Brave New World has been banned and challenged for its negativity, the latest being in 1993.

6. 1984. The book was first banned in 1984 by the American Library Association because of its “bleak warning of totalitarian government and censorship.” Many see the novel as one that is expressing immoral themes, as well as being pro-Communist. The book tosses around the idea of “Big Brother,” which is still highly influential and popular in culture today. The book has also been challenged for sexual themes.

5. Lolita. This book has been banned in many European countries for its sexual content. Believe it or not, it has not been banned in the US.

4. Catcher in the Rye. This book is so widely known that it really needs no explanation. But, many feel that teens will look up to Holden, the main character. There is much controversy surrounding the book because of its slang, violence, sex and moral issues.

3. The Harry Potter Series. Since the first book’s publishing in 1997, the series has been under much scrutiny. In 2001, parents from all over the U.S. and other parts of the world challenged the book because of its witchcraft, violence, the occult, and its overall scariness. Years later, the series is still banned and challenged for the same reasons, including lying, cheating, stealing, ghosts, and promoting Wicca ideology.

2.Candide. The Great Council of Geneva banned the book after its release, but more than 30,000 copies sold in a year. In 1930, U.S. Customs seized Harvard-bound copies of Candide, and then in 1944 the U.S. Post Office wanted the book dropped from Concord Books.

1. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Here in the U.S., the book was banned in 1885, a year after it was published. At first, the book was banned for its use of slang, which was seen as demeaning. Over time, the focus shifted towards the fact that the novel uses the “n” word so many times, in fact over 200 times. Many cannot get around the fact that such a derogatory word is used so much.

What I did notice is that The Bible did not make the top 10. I didn't even see it on the top 100. Nor did any of Darwin's writings or the Koran. I am sure this has to be some sort of oversight by someone. These books are just too controversial in some circles not to be banned or at least challenged.

I hope you take some time in the future to expand your reading and maybe pick a banned book or two even it if is just to feel a little revolutionary.

I recently viewed an HBO documentary on free speech. After watching this, I have to ask myself; Do we really have free speech? Can I truly say whatever I want in this country? The answer sadly is no I cannot not and no we do not.

Since 9/11 this has been more predominate than in previous years. But... if you will look back over our country's mistakes or falters or whatever you choose to call them, you will see that people have always paid a price for speaking freely.

The first amendment of the Constitution states:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

If you read this carefully, you will notice that this only applies to Congress. However, the Supreme Court has taken it upon themselves to also interpret it to apply to the executive and judicial branches. I am not going to get on my soapbox about the Supreme Court and what their job really is. I'll save that for another post.

My point is that since the beginning of our country, someone/group has paid for expressing themselves through speech. Be it signs, verbally, letters, etc. This is especially true in times of war. We seem to be willing to give up our rights in order to "feel" safer. I don't know about any of you but I don't feel any safer now than before. In fact, I feel less safe now. Between The Patriotic Act and Homeland Security, I am just waiting for the black suits to come knocking.

I am not so naive as to believe that you can get something for nothing. There is always a price to pay. But is this what we are willing to give up? The right to speak our minds? By giving up this one thing, we no longer have a voice in how we are governed. Are you really free with all the new laws in place to "protect' you?

As a veteran, I have very strong views on God, country, the flag and my freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. I don't see those same things in today's generation. They are not being taught about the sacrifices of the men and women that came before them. They don't comprehend the amount of suffering and anguish that the people endured so they could become illiterate and ungrateful for the freedoms they have. I hope they get it soon before we are all censored.

“Free speech is intended to protect the controversial and even outrageous word; and not just comforting platitudes too mundane to need protection.” Colin Powell

"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter. " George Washington

"Intellectually I know that America is no better than any other country; emotionally I know she is better than every other country." ~Sinclair Lewis

While I must admit I don't keep up with any pageants , I think what Nancy Leigh DeMoss has said should apply to every woman in the church.

This article speaks volumes about women in the church. We have allowed ourselves to become separated from one another and this has lead to many young women not having proper biblical mentor ship from older women in the church. We should not be apart because we are a certain age or married or not or have toddlers or not. How can we strengthen the Body if we sit and soak and sour in our little niche? Who are we helping by doing this? Young men and women need strong God loving leadership. It is our job as Christians to "lift up the weaker brother" and to encourage one another with songs,psalms, and exhortations. How can we do that if we are in a Sunday School Class/Bible Study with only ourselves?

This is all part of meeting the needs of the Body. Steve Brown once said, "If you have 1 single mom in your church and you don't see after her, you aren't meeting the needs of your church." This is a very convicting statement. How many women in church do you know that go once a month to a single mom's house and bring groceries or clothing on some men to fix her car or her house? What about the widows in church? How many widows are taken care of in this manner by the church? What about young women that need guidance in choosing whether to date or not? The list is endless.

We have become so caught up in ourselves and what we want and what makes us happy, that we have lost sight of the message. Christ was clear. "31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' 37Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' 40And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'"( Matt. 25:31-40)

We seem to think that we have to entertain the young men and women in our churches. This is not true. What we have to do, what we are commanded to do is teach them, bring them up to love the Lord and encourage them along the way. Young people today want what they have always wanted; sound direction and wise advice. They want someone who has "been there done that" and is not afraid to say so and to help them make decisions that will lead them down the narrow path.

I encourage you to take a younger woman under your wing. Exchange phone numbers with her. Make an effort to be a part of her life. While she may not talk or act or dress in an appropriate manner or what you deem to be an appropriate manner, is that really a sound reason not to try and mentor her? She possibly is the way she is because no one has stepped up to the plate. You can do it. It won't be easy but it will be very rewarding for both of you. Think of how your walks with the Lord can be strengthened and how you can both grow together in the Lord. Isn't that the goal?


From Nancy Leigh DeMoss

I’ve been asked numerous times for my take on the firestorm surrounding Carrie Prejean—the reigning Miss California who lost her bid for Miss USA after
publicly affirming her belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman.

Those who hold to the biblical concept of marriage couldn’t help but be glad that this young woman courageously stood for the Truth, knowing that to do so could be costly.

Yet, for those who affirm and cherish the biblical perspective of femininity and sexuality, this story has an important subtext and raises a number of issues that should be of great concern to us as followers of Christ.

Carrie has made a strong public profession of her faith in Christ. As Christians, we are called to live as redeemed men and women and to reflect to the world the beauty and holiness of God. I’m not in a position to judge Carrie’s motives or her heart. But while I applaud her courage, I also believe some of her choices and public actions, past and present, are representative of many women who consider themselves Christians, but who lack clear biblical thinking and conviction on such matters as virtue, womanhood, beauty, modesty, and discretion.

In my mind, Carrie Prejean’s story is symptomatic of deeper root issues in the evangelical world—issues that in my opinion outweigh most of what is being debated in the secular press.

Sadly, Carrie is the product of a Christian sub-culture that has lost a sense of what it means to be citizens of the kingdom of God and has embraced the values and thinking of this world.

By and large, young adults who have grown up in our evangelical homes, churches, and schools, are buying into a message that they have seen modeled by those around them who call themselves Christians—namely, that Christianity can be divorced from Christ-likeness, and that practical holiness in everyday life is out-dated, irrelevant, or optional.

Carrie Prejean’s situation highlights the desperate need for Titus 2 “older women”—mothers, youth workers, mentors—to take an active role in the training and discipleship of younger women—teaching them to live out the implications of the gospel in every area of their lives.

So many young women in the Christian world have little understanding or discernment when it comes to modesty and personal purity. And can you blame them when they are following in the footsteps of a generation of so-called believers who tolerate, justify, and flaunt immodesty, sensuality, and immorality of every form, along with serial divorce and remarriage?

That’s why as women we need to be asking ourselves questions like:

• How does my life measure up to the Word of God?
• Am I modeling Christ-like, Gospel-drenched virtue, modesty, femininity, beauty, and discretion to the next generation?
• What kind of impact am I having on the younger women in my sphere of influence?
• What I am doing to invest in their lives, to point them to Christ, and to mentor them in godliness?

Carrie Pejean’s story should cause us to be on our faces crying out to God over the extent to which the church today has accommodated to the world. It should cause us to plead with God on behalf of our children and grandchildren, and then to get up off our knees and go out and engage this younger generation with love and grace and truth and to become agents of redemption in their lives.

Tomorrow, May 3, is World Press Freedom Day. Living in America, I think we take this freedom for granted. We just assume that we can write whatever we want without fear of being arrested and jailed for our words.

Unfortunately, this is not the case elsewhere in the world. Journalists are jailed across the world for reporting the truth. I know that we all get tired of the mainstream media and its hype. But there are reporters in this world risking their lives to report numerous acts of atrocities committed everyday by their governments or other people in power just because they can.

"The United Nations General Assembly declared 3 May to be World Press Freedom Day[1][2] to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and marking the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in 1991."

I encourage you tomorrow as you write whatever you please, to think of those journalists that have given their lives for the truth. Be thankful that you live in a country that still allows us to voice the truth without fear of dying.

You never think of adults stealing words from one another. I just read from Tara at If Mom Says OK, that her work has been plagiarized. I am still just flabbergasted over this. I never even entertained the idea of someone stealing my words.

Tara also listed some sites to help us all protect our sites. While my site is not viewed by that many, some of you have quite a lot of followers and probably even more lurkers. So I wanted to give you the sites so you can also be protected.

Since I am very ignorant on the ins and outs of exactly what "copyright" means, I went to dragonbeads and they have graciously put the copyright law in its original language,you know the one you need a PhD to understand and in regular English for the rest of us.

Tara also recommends that all of us on blogger read the DMCA and to Copyscape for additional info and tips on how to avoid plagiarism.

While I did not comment on Tara's site, I did want to use this opportunity to thank her for passing this information on to us. I also wanted to say this is the lowest of the low to steal another person's thoughts and to pass them off as your own.

Thanks again Tara for enabling all of us to avoid the lesson you had to learn the hard way!