Sunday, October 4, 2009

Banned Book Week (Sept 26-Oct 3)


If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind. Were an opinion a personal possession of no value except to the owner; if to be obstructed in the enjoyment of it were simply a private injury, it would make some difference whether the injury was inflicted only on a few persons or on many. But the peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error.
— On Liberty, John Stuart Mill

Yeah, what HE said!!!
If  you really want to learn something, have a conversation (not an argument) with someone whose opinion differs from yours.   It's eye-opening, faith-strengthening.
Have a great day, read something shocking,
Laurie


2 comments:

  1. Well said, Laurie. I have been amazed over the years of some of the complaints leveled over children's books. I see you survived your week of parent/teacher conferences. That was always such a hectic time but a very rewarding time. Enjoy your weekend and relax as much as possible. Vicki

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  2. It's a shame that a fear of ideas is such a strong motivation for destruction and dissent. So many things in life are based on personal choice. If you don't like what's in a book, don't read it. But it is unAmerican (if that's what needs to be said in some cases) to deny others the right to make their own choice of what to read.

    If our society ever crumbles, it will be the broad- and well-read who not only survive, but flourish.

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