The christian scriptures are a regular among the complaints forwarded by public libraries. American library association ryan cragun, a sociologist at the university of tampa who has studied secularization, told the huffington post that the bibles appearance on the frequently challenged books list is likely the result of secular activists getting better organized and more vocal. Bible, fifty shades among most challenged books cnn. The ala also favors including a wide range of religious materials, from the quran. Eight of the 10 titles identified in the american library associations annual ranking of the most frequently banned or protested books featured. According to a list compiled by the american library association ala, the bible was. Bible in top 10 list of challenged books church militant. Bible among most challenged books at public schools. The ala also favors including a wide range of religious materials, from the. Handmaids tale, harry potter on challenged books list wcti. The holy bible on top 10 list of most challenged books. These are the most challenged books, according to the a. More people asked american schools and libraries to remove scripture last year. The bible is among 10 most challenged books of 2015.
Bible, 50 shades of grey among most challenged books. The 2015 list was released april 11 as part of the ala s 2016 state of americas libraries report. The holy bible makes library associations list of most npr. Holy bible on list of challenged books at us libraries. Among books that are sexually explicit, promote sex outside of marriage, those about transgendered teens, promote homosexuality and violence, is the holy bible. Throughout the year, the american library association ala receives reports from libraries and schools about attempts to ban books in.
The bible makes most challenged books list in us for first time. It includes books that have drawn formal, written complaints from the public because of their content or appropriateness, according to the ala. The bible made the latest list of books most objected to at public schools and libraries. The absolutely true diary of a parttime indian, by sherman. Top 10 most challenged books lists advocacy, legislation. Chicago the holy bible is being declared one of the most challenged books of 2015. Although lgbtthemed books have often featured prominently on the annual ala list of most challenged, in 2015 the bible made it to no. The 2015 ala most challenged books list is out and there. The latter got it named to the most challenged books list, released monday.
Bible topics include fornication, masturbation, murder and religion. Frequently challenged books american library association. For the first time in nearly a decade, the bible made the list of the american library associations ala 10 most frequently challenged books last year. This list of the most commonly challenged books in the united states refers to books sought to. I am happy to be in the company of the bible, shakespeare, john bunyan. At least one parent felt that it was indoctrinating children with muslim beliefs and therefore challenged the book. Out of 275 challenges in 2015 recorded by the american library association ala office for intellectual freedom, the bible ranks in the top ten at number six.
The holy bible makes library associations list of most. Bible makes list of books most challenged at libraries, public schools. Susan berry 11 apr 2016 the american library association ala has the holy bible on its list of the top 10 most challenged books for the first time in 10 years. The bible is one of the most challenged books at public schools and libraries across the country, right up there with books featuring extreme profanity, transgender agendas, and graphic sexual. The harry potter series was among the top 10 challenged books in 2019. Every year, the american library association compiles a list of the top 10 most challenged books, using its database and media reports.
Alas office for intellectual freedom oif receives reports from libraries, schools, and the media on attempts to ban books in communities across the country. American library associations annual list of frequently challenged books places bible alongside transgender picture book and erotic novel. The bible joins fifty shades among top 10 most challenged books move over, fun home. The bible makes most challenged books list in us for first. Top 10 most challenged books lists american library association. Top most challenged book, according to ala last year, the american library association ala fielded 275 formal c. Other challenged works included rowlings harry potter books, which have long been criticized by some religious groups for themes of sorcery.
The holy bible, along with several other books that incorporate aspects of religion, made the american library associations list of top 10 most challenged books in 2015. Holy bible on list of challenged books at libraries. The holy bible is now one of the most challenged books in. Bible makes list of books most challenged at libraries. According to a new report, the bible is among the most criticized books at public schools and libraries across the country. Lgbt literature dominates american library associations top 10. The bible joins fifty shades among top 10 most challenged. The vast majority of challenges were initiated by parents 2,535, said the ala. Curses, hexes and spells daniel cohen, supernatural themes, references to the bible, 1974, na, 71. The top 10 list of challenged books at public schools and libraries, released monday, april 11, 2016, by the american library association includes james bestselling book. The ala has long believed that for every challenge brought to its attention, four or five others are not reported. This is the first time since ala began keeping statistics in 1990 that the bible has made the list, debuting at 6. See below the alas complete list of the top 10 most challenged books of 2015. The list of the top books most objected to at us public schools and libraries has been released and it includes mark haddons the curious incident of.
Courtesy of american library association the holy bible, along with several other books that incorporate aspects of religion, made the american library associations list of top 10 most challenged. This year, though, it was apparently the sixth most challenged book. Probably the most curious title on the list this year, though, was the holy bible, which has never made the alas top 10 before. Freedom for the american library association, which released its annual 10 top snapshot of challenged books on monday, part of the. On monday, the american library association released its annual snapshot of books most challenged by parents and other community members. According to the ala, the top ten most challenged books of 2015 were. List of most commonly challenged books in the united states. The bible is among the 10 most complained about books of. The ala defines a challenge as a formal, written complaint filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness. The holy bible is now one of the most challenged books in america. Included is each books rank in the alas lists of top 100 challenged books by decade if applicable.
227 1451 1358 1256 501 232 1437 407 663 657 513 735 305 1317 1497 1164 629 1356 585 912 679 1566 1009 1507 1617 779 1095 127 521 516 1594 1325 1153 593 284 691 884 768 1366 136 1282 47 229