Church’s book burning gets attentionPITTSBURGH, March 28 — The Rev. George Bender says he never thought a little book burning would get so much publicity. But reporters have not stopped calling his tiny Harvest Assembly of God Church in rural western Pennsylvania since word got out that church members held a ceremonial burning of “ungodly” videotapes, music CDs and books, including some of Harry Potter’s fantasy tales.you know, I have mixed feelings about this... it's not like they're destroying the original work, and I imagine they paid for the stuff, so they're free to do what they like. the symbolism there is queasy, though... like burning a flag, or a cross, or any other representation of meaning... something just feels wrong, but I suppose it's the intolerance behind it.
I wonder if the folks who get riled when the flag is burned will get as mad about an old Journey album, or harry potter...
I don't think I mind, on reflection... they're not banning the stuff, just expressing distaste in a rather loud fashion. I'd probably feel differently if they were burning one of a kind items, instead of mass produced ones... although, I have to wonder how they dealt with the burning CD's, if it's environmentally sound. They're not banning stuff, just expressing themselves in a way I find distasteful.
As far as keeping it from children, well, I'm all for letting parents dictate what the kids read, as long as society as a whole doesn't deem it damaging to the kids. Keeping stuff from adults however... that's a no-no.