In this article, the author shares his reactions to angry letters to his books, particularly the one titled "Mr. Granite Is from Another Planet." Nearly all the complaints the author receives inform him that it's his responsibility as an author to promote positive messages and moral lessons in his books. However, the author contends that his books…

The flow of pandering advertisements through the U.S. mails is explored. (MF)

The moral potential of works of art, for good or ill, has been recognised from philosophical antiquity: on the assumption that the moral effects of art are invariably negative, Plato advised the exclusion of artists from any rationally ordered state. Arguably, however, the problem of the moral status of art has become yet more acute in contexts of…

High school teacher Robert C. Mossman asserts that literary magazines reflect and elevate school communities' values. As adviser of his school literary magazine, Mossman encourages students to uphold certain standards for decency, while helping students learn to distinguish between original writing that is specific and thoughtful and writing that…

A librarian's reaction to the U. S. Senate's rejection of the report of the Commission on Obscenity and Pornography. (Author)

Describes the position of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom in their struggle against censorship attempts. (GB)

A background is given of the reasons for the development of censorhsip on sex writings. (AB)

A viable library collection should include at least a scattering of titles which the librarian finds offensive and disturbing. (28 references) (Author/MM)

This selective bibliography on censorship and the nature of obscenity lists 19 lower and Supreme Court decisions (1727-1967) and 21 articles published in law reviews from 1938 through 1967. The Judges' opinions in the court cases are quoted to suggest the direction in which the courts are moving in regard to the interpretation of obscenity. (SW)

Librarians of our time have unilaterally broken the covenant that existed between the community and the library. In the name of intellectual freedom we defend materials that perpetuate attitudes that hinder the growth of individuals who are intellectually free. (14 references) (Author)

Reviews latest developments in censorship efforts, including tactics and approaches used by those who would prevent children from reading certain books because of profanity or what they perceive to be negative moral implications in the books. Explains the reasons for the attempt at censorship and a list of the books most often targeted. (TB)

The quiet, but determined, censorship crisis in Virginia is a good example of the attitudes that produce censorship protests and of the damage that can be done. Although the criticisms have been sincere, they are based on total misinterpretations of the works involved. As may be seen from the excerpts taken from five books under fire, the…

Author feels that educators should work to oppose censorship or at the very least work to assure that any textbooks or curriculum changes are, as much as possible, in accord with sound learning theory and teaching method. (GB)

Reviews the events and issues surrounding a parent-driven attempt to ban John Gardener's "Grendel" from the high school curriculum on the grounds that it would corrupt the young morally. (TB)