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Banished from a public library?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by lifeandliberty, Aug 20, 2005.

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  1. lifeandliberty

    lifeandliberty New Member

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    "Banishment" from a Public Library?


    I recently received a letter from a local Public Library that was not unexpected. Over the years I have sought to educate the public with regard to the murder of the preborn. Public libraries are a great place to disperse information.

    In most Public Libraries you can find books with graphic nudity, perversion, introductions to the sodomite lifestyle and the like. The American Library Association will let most anything pass as "good literature" and they raise their voice against "censorship" if ever a "prudish" individual questions a selection in the collection of literature on their shelves.

    The ALA opposes any restrictions on access to pornography in public libraries--even for children.

    Here is the the letter I received.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------

    Mr. Green:

    On Friday, August 12th, a library staff member observed you inserting anti-abortion cards in several books in the Young Adult section of the Powhatan County Public Library. These cards have also been found throughout the Adult collection, the Front Display Case, the Meeting Room hallway and the Men's bathroom.

    Library policy forbids soliciting, campaigning and petitioning in the Library and in and around Library entryways. Furthermore, materials placed in public display areas must be suitable for viewing by all ages. No materials may be distributed to the public without the Library Director's approval.

    Failure to comply with library policies will result in banishment from the Powhatan County Public Library.

    Sincerely,
    Kim Armentrout
    Library Director
    ------------------------------------------------------------------

    I must say that this is the first threat of banishment I have ever received. I wonder if I had brought pornography into the library, would I have received the same letter.

    Let me explain.

    Some time ago I approached the Library Director to ask why there were no internet filters on the computers that were available for public use. Many Public Libraries are notorious for making internet pornography accessable to their patrons.

    I heard several of the same excuses that I had heard before at other Public Libraries.

    "It's not a problem here" and "filters are too expensive".

    I even offered to pay for the filtering software. Ultimately, the truth seems to be that many Public Libraries just simply don't want to place any limits on the internet pornography that can be accessed on their computer screens.

    As I looked through this particular library, I saw books with photographs of graphic sex that had been approved by the Library Director.

    I saw books in the Young Adult section that encouaged young girls to have their preborn babies killed and even provided contact information for abortion providers.

    The items that are "suitable for viewing by all ages" in this library are clearly not items that would make it onto lists of most people.

    So here I stand, with the threat of "banishment" hanging over my head. What are my options here?

    1. I could just forget about the murdered preborn and the command to speak out on their behalf. I could simply hang out with the children at the Library looking at the porn in their books and on their computers. This would be acceptable to the ALA and I probably wouldn't receive any threatening letters.

    or

    2. I could just go on speaking out on behalf of my King wherever that may be. This may not be nearly as acceptable to those who stock the bookshelves but I think it is the better of the two choices.

    I encourage you to stand against the flood of sin that seeks to overwhelm the young people in your community. You can make a difference for good. Though you may find yourself "banished", there will be a place prepared for you if you remain faithful to your King.

    Life and Liberty Ministries
     
  2. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    1 Peter 4:14-17 (KJV1611 Version):
    If ye be reproched for the Name of Christ, happie are ye,
    for the spirit of glory, and of God resteth vpon you:
    on their part hee is euill spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
    15 But let none of you suffer as a murtherer, or as a theefe,
    or as an euill doer, or as a busibody in other mens matters.
    16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him
    not be ashamed, but let him glorifie God on this behalfe.
    17 For the time is come that iudgement must begin
    at the house of God: and if it first begin at vs,
    what shall the ende bee of them that obey not the Gospel of God?
     
  3. TexasSky

    TexasSky Guest

    I would start by approaching Kim Armentrout and asking her for a written policy regarding what the library considers appropriate information for the public. With that in hand, find out if you really violated the policy or not.
     
  4. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    I think a better solution is to see if you can place your flyers in a public access area rather than surrepticiously hiding them inside books. Most libraries have an area near the door where flyers and free literature can be placed. I think putting things inside library books is indeed littering and reason to for action by the library.
     
  5. rsr

    rsr <b> 7,000 posts club</b>
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    I stand with the librarian, at least for the time being. Would you think it acceptable if someone inserted Wiccan or Muslim or atheist literature in books in the young adult section?

    If you have a problem with the rules, or the items on the shelf, then go to the library's governing board and, if not satisfied there, beyond.
     
  6. Artimaeus

    Artimaeus Active Member

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    Try writing a book or at least a booklet and see if they will include it among their variety of books. If I were running a Christian library and totally agreed with everything you said on your cards, I would still not want you hiding them amongst the books without my consent. I applaud your effort but this particular method does not seem to be a positive approach. They talk about censorship all of the time but what they mean is that they do not want YOU telling them what they can and cannot have in the library. Try persuading them that these things are not the wisest use of their resources. With only a limited amount of money to work with they censor themselves all of the time and perhaps with your imput they will decide to include some positive ideas and not choose some of the negative ones.
     
  7. I totally agree with Artimaeus

    And yes I do think if you were to bring pornography in the library and tried to distribute it the same way you are doing your flyers you would receive the same letter.
     
  8. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    L&L, I went to your website. I must comment that you are getting close to Phelps-like tactics, at least that is the impression your photos give. I also think it is horrible to engage prepubescent children in protests against homosexuals. They are too young to be thinking about sex at all, and should be enjoying the short innocence of childhood, not out protesting other people's sexual inclinations. I also saw a photo of a child approaching the driver of a car in the street on your website. This is dangerous. Your tactics are impressive, but not in a positive way. This photo is sad:
    http://www.lifeandlibertyministries.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=11&pos=4
     
  9. Thankful

    Thankful <img src=/BettyE.gif>

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    I agree with Magnetic Poles and rsr.

    All things placed in a public library should be approved by the librarian. I believe this is just standard procedure for all libraries.

    Did you ask to have your pamphlets displayed with the other free literature?

    We have rows and rows of free literature in our public library.

    Perhaps if you had gone through proper procedures your information could have been displayed.
     
  10. GrannyGumbo

    GrannyGumbo <img src ="/Granny.gif">

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    I would like to encourage you to keep on telling it like it is, lifeandliberty. Being part of a street ministry is the most fulfilling thing I've ever done. Our preachers, young and old, are out there in any kind of weather and the battle is fierce.

    When we take the abortion/murder pictures out, I hold baby Malachi. He preaches! My young grandsons who stand beside me are not afraid to hold a sign that says Sodomite Sin is Filthy. I hold one that says Did God Burn the Sodomy or the Sodomite. We also hold signs that have salvation scripture.

    We are constantly harassed by the police wherever we go and my pastor has been arrested a time or two for preaching. I've been shoved and threatened.

    http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/news/story.aspx?cid=3419
     
  11. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    IMO, the kind of tactics you describe, granny, equate to child abuse.
     
  12. GrannyGumbo

    GrannyGumbo <img src ="/Granny.gif">

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    And what the sodomites and baby murderers do is worse than child abuse! You do it your way mag, and I'll do it God's way, 'k?
     
  13. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    GG, so because some people are homosexuals or abortionists justifies your abuse of the kids in your family? And just who appointed you as God's spokesman? I got news for you...nothing says YOUR way is God's way. I think using kids in such an effort is as much an abomination as what you are protesting.
     
  14. baptistk

    baptistk New Member

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  15. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Two wrongs make a right? Child abuse is STILL WRONG even if it's less wrong than sodomy and murder! "God's way" does not grant you permission to treat you grandkids that way just because it's "less wrong"! Granny, I can hardly see Jesus doing things the way you do. You are an extremist. Your intentions are right, but your approach is horrible! "Turn or burn" preaching (and as a female you shouldn't be preaching anyway) is the least affective for reaching the lost.
     
  16. guitarpreacher

    guitarpreacher New Member

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    I can only imagine the impact you are having in the gay community. Your pastors must be pruning from all the baptisms.
     
  17. Thankful

    Thankful <img src=/BettyE.gif>

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    God's Way? God loved everyone so much that He sent His son to die for everyone!

    IMHO, child abuse is just as bad. I believe that abortion is child abuse. Children who never got a chance to survive, but then when we have those precious children we should not use them for our own agendas.
     
  18. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    Amen, Brother Webdog -- Preach it! [​IMG]
     
  19. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    Amen, Brother Magnetic Poles -- Preach it! [​IMG]
     
  20. Petrel

    Petrel New Member

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    I can only imagine the impact you are having in the gay community. Your pastors must be pruning from all the baptisms. </font>[/QUOTE]Winning hearts and minds for Jesus Christ! [​IMG]
     
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