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In the past several years, hundreds of challenges a year to books used in public schools have been reported across the nation. Most of these have come from the Religious Right. This book confronts the attacks on public education and commonly used literature books by challenging the religious assumptions, the biblical interpretations, and the intimidation tactics of the Religious Right. Part I counters the claims of these censors by presenting opposing views on democracy, secular humanism, religion, the Bible, morality, and the purposes of literature. In Part II, six books frequently taught in high school classes are analyzed. Edwards shows why they have been challenged by the Religious Right, and presents a case for their moral and religious virtues as well as their literary worth. The book differs from other anti-censorship works because it deals primarily and directly with the religious and moral aspects that educators often tend to avoid. This book offers teachers and school administrators scholarly conterarguments that can help confront with literature challenges from the Religious Right.
List of contents
Contents: Preface. Introduction. Part I: The Censorship Debate Regarding Public Schools. The Debate Over Government and Religion. The Debate Over Humanism and Democracy. The Debate Over the Purpose of Teaching Literature. The Debate Over Biblical Interpretation. The Debate Over Morality in Literature. Part II: Religion and Morality in Selected Challenged Literature. Religion and Morality in Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Religion and Morality in The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Religion and Morality in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Religion and Morality in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Religion and Morality in The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. Religion and Morality in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Part III: Suggestions for Preventing and Responding to Challenges. Suggestions for Preventing and Responding to Challenges. Appendices: Sources for Preventing and Responding to Challenges. Sample Request for Reconsideration. Organizations Against Censorship.
About the author
June Edwards
Summary
Provides legal & historical background information and counter-arguments against censorship challenges. From the organized religious right, to works of literature used in the public schools.
