Why Banned Books at Church?
Our library is one way we practice Christ’s teachings. We are a safe haven for stories from a variety of life experiences and viewpoints. Take a moment to browse our collection of banned books and see what you notice – common themes or particular experiences and identities being censored. Our banned books include stories and memoirs that help people of all ages face real questions about the world, identity, relationships, meaning, and justice in light of our faith’s love and grace. We have picture books for children, chapter books for middle-grade readers, novels for young adults, and books spanning a wide range of topics for older adults. Families decide what books are right for their children.
One of our core values as a progressive Christian community is to “strive for peace and justice among all people, knowing that behaving with compassion and selfless love towards one another is the fullest expression of what we believe.” Reading stories written by people with identities and life experiences different from our own helps us shift our perspective, develop empathy, and see more clearly the call to justice among all people. We can also find parts of ourselves in these stories, which helps us grow into the fullness of our being. Children, teens, young adults, and older adults can find affirmation in the books they read. Sometimes, stories even shine light on hidden and painful experiences, letting readers know they are not alone.
As progressive Christians, we are committed to a path of life-long learning. We can’t keep growing if we close our minds and shut out different ways of experiencing and understanding the world. Bearing truthful witness to people’s lives is part of Christian discipleship, not something to be ashamed of. Much like the Bible, recorded histories of people’s lives are not pornography. Using that word for LGBTQ+ stories or other hard topics is a political tactic, not an honest description. At St. Andrew’s, caring for the stories in banned books is one small but important way of proclaiming our love for everyone, everywhere, all the time.
