Instead of banning books, encourage debate

Will our society become too lazy to think? If so, we will become nothing more than a flock of poor sheep blindly believing whatever we’re told. Parents, it’s not easy to teach children values and how to handle situations that they will encounter throughout life. If you do not assume this responsibility and push the training of your children on to someone else you might as well not have kids at all. 

Throughout history, autocrats have used censorship. They get rid of any material that does not go along with their beliefs. They were afraid to let their subjects learn, discuss and evaluate all sides of issues. And teaching people how to do this was forbidden. Where are we heading? Have we learned nothing from the Nazis, Saddam Hussein or other despotic leaders?

Do not ban books or ideas. Just be sure that opposing views are also equally accessible. Then encourage debate. Isn’t that what democracy is about?


WENDY TAYLOR

Hayden