Forever - Banned

Pasadena Citizen ^

[Texasbock]

Pasadena Independent School District superintendent Dr. Rick Schneider has banned the book "Forever" by popular children's author Judy Blume from the shelves of libraries within the district.

The book had previously been found in the collections of one intermediate and three high schools. Advertisement

"It is never an easy decision to pull a book from the shelves. The superintendent has the responsibility to put materials in the system that are educationally suitable and appropriate. In this particular case, after reading the book, he felt that, though the theme is not unsuitable certain passages are and decided to remove the book," said district spokesperson Kirk Lewis.

The complaint was initially lodged by a parent at Thompson Intermediate School.

According to district policy process, a campus review committee was formed to study the book.

The issue was next studied by a central office committee comprised of administrators, instructors and parents and then by Schneider.

Though an initial committee recommendation was that the work be removed from only intermediate and not high school libraries, it was ultimately decided to withdraw "Forever" from the district library system completely due to what was deemed "sexually explicit content.

"Certain passages were not appropriate for any students of the school district," continued Lewis.

The novel, first published in 1975, is self-described as "a moving story of the end of innocence."

According to the American Library Association, it is the eighth "most frequently challenged" book.

A challenge is defined as a formal, written complaint, filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness. The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom received a total of 547 challenges last year. According to Judith F. Krug, director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom, the number of challenges reflects only incidents reported, and for each reported, four or five remain unreported.

[Gava]

Now I'm thoroughly confused. Joyous and empty at the same time? Could you elaborate on that please?

[politicket]

The Bible mentions Judy Blume? Wow. Amazing.

C'mon Modernman, you're smarter than that, and you already know what I mean.

Proverbs delineates the proper training of children and Judy Blume's book is the antithesis of that teaching; therefore, her book is not worth anything of value and should be spurned by followers of Christ.

[politicket]

Alriiiiiiiiiiiiiighty then.

I saw in some other posts that you are homeschooling your children, as are we.

What exactly are you basing the training of your children on? Just curious...

[Modernman]

Proverbs delineates the proper training of children and Judy Blume's book is the antithesis of that teaching; therefore, her book is not worth anything of value and should be spurned by followers of Christ.

Well, so be it. Guess that I shouldn't have a problem with her books then.

[politicket]

My life is pretty stable as it is. I don't really have a problem with an everchanging reality. So, I don't think your question really applies to me.

It applies to all of us, and I pray that at some point in your life it will be revealed to you.

[politicket]

Now I'm thoroughly confused. Joyous and empty at the same time? Could you elaborate on that please?

Sure....when you are an "empty" vessel before Christ it means that He is able to FULLY use you for His purposes.

This differs from an individual resisting the leading of Christ and wanting to continue doing things through their own strength and power, which ultimately fails.

[Gava]

ummm..isn't knowledge a tool used by living creatures? I always thought it was since it relies on the present and is very limited. Saying that almighty God needs knowledge is INSULTING to our lord God. Of course you can say that since God created us, we humans are using knowledge given to us by God.

[politicket]

Well, so be it. Guess that I shouldn't have a problem with her books then.

Since you have stated that you are not a follower of Jesus Christ then it is true, you probably will have no problem with her books.

[politicket]

Saying that almighty God needs knowledge is INSULTING to our lord God.

Please don't misquote me. I never said any such thing.

[Modernman]

Since you have stated that you are not a follower of Jesus Christ then it is true, you probably will have no problem with her books.

So, all followers of JC have a problem with her books?

[Theophilus]

Blume writes as if she's never forgotten a moment of what it's like to be a teenager

I don't Blume writing is sentimental at all, I think it's deliberately constructive. Her influence runs far and wide throughout the whole architecture of the vast, hollow "teenager experience" atrium of the temple of humanism. Sex is not my problem with Blume, it's her prevailing philosophy of self-centeredness. Grow-up already!!! I was a big Blume fan when I was a kid, but my kids will never be so, there are too many better things to read. Banning Blume from the Public School Library? Well, I want to ban the whole school system (worst kind of socialism) so I guess I'm not be too concerned about rearranging the deck chairs.

[politicket]

So, all followers of JC have a problem with her books?

If they don't then they are not adhering to the Bible's teaching.

[LauraleeBraswell]

In the past people married younger much because lifespans were shorter.

In the past there was also more spousal abuse, alcoholism and people who were desperately unhappy. People just didn't get divorced. Was that good? Well for many families an even worse problem was there.

Getting married at 16 or 17 is not a good idea. My grandmother got married at 17 too. It may have worked well for your grandmother maybe because it had better work well, but ask a 20 something if they feel they're a completely different person from when they were 16 or 17.


In many areas the South, people still get married much younger. Now Look at the divorce rate in those same areas. Forever doesn't really mean forever when you're 17.
I'm going to go into a Scientific explanation now. Just a few years ago Neuroscientists learned that the brain does not finish developing until the age of 21ish. Adolescents have always been irrational, illogical and irresponsible and now we know why. Because they really cannot help it. When someone is 17 they are undergoing a dramatic maturation process as they enter into adulthood. And by the way, many people I know regret their first. And a few people I know don't regret their first, but regret being so young and not understanding the emotional implications of it until it was too late. The people who don't regret it, are the ones who waited until they were at least 18. One year makes little difference in the adult world, but for a teenager it is a great period of development.

[politicket]

Well, I want to ban the whole school system (worst kind of socialism)

Amen!

[politicket]

Just a few years ago Neuroscientists learned that the brain does not finish developing until the age of 21ish.

Not to doubt you, but could you please provide a source for this assertation? Thanks...

[KC_Conspirator]

What the hell are you talking about? I have actually read the book. Its trashy sex talk geared towards 13 year old girls.

[Chunga]

"Saying that almighty God needs knowledge is INSULTING to our lord God."

On your personal page here you state that you are the god of your own universe, and the proof is that your mind believes it.

Therefore when you say "our lord God" you are referring to someone other than my God, as you are not the god of the universe in which I live; you are also referring to someone other than the God of Christianity, since you are assuredly not the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Here's an opportunity to learn from an elder: The mouths of the boastful are full of contradictions.

"I'm too smart..." - Gava

[LauraleeBraswell]

http://www.madd.org/stats/1,1056,1744,00.html

http://www.childwelfare.net/SJDC/braindevelopment.html


http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/teenbrain/work/adolescent.html


Clearly, you did not believe me. You could have googled it yourself.

[Dante3]

Don't limit it just to Christians. There are non-Christians who have objected to her books for a variety of reasons.

[politicket]

Don't limit it just to Christians. There are non-Christians who have objected to her books for a variety of reasons.

I completely agree...