Comments on: On Reading: When Books Challenge our Standards

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:49:27 +0000

After re-reading my comment, I want to be sure that you understand I was not trying to imply that you or anyone else here was an extremist or that all Christians are one way. I am Christian myself and my point was more that being closed-off is not healthy and not like Christ and that being open, like you are, is what is important and I very much respect that.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:46:42 +0000

I am glad you are able to challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone. So many are not able to do that, unfortunately. Books get banned because people are scared of new ideas. Apparently there are people in the world who cannot entertain a thought or idea without accepting it, and think everyone else in the world is the same. I find Christians and anyone else who cannot be open minded enough to step outside of their comfort zone completely non-relatable. But I would never not listen to their side or not read a book or visit their church just because I think they are narrow-minded. I happen to be one of those people who think these people happen to be the least like Christ. Like Ghandi said, “I like your Christ, but I do not like your Christians.” I often feel that way. Whether extremists are Muslims, Christians, or Right-wing conservatives, there is danger in taking on such an extreme viewpoint. My brain is not so open that “my brains might fall out”. My brain is so open that my heart is too.

Thank you for your honesty and your candor and for sharing it with us. I can be a bit of a snob at times, myself, and I am far from perfect, but I do think that the more open we are to new experiences, the better off we are in life.

By: Guest Post at 5MinutesforBooks: When books challenge our standards - SISTER WISDOM : build a better life

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:02:03 +0000

[...] Read the rest over at 5 Minutes for Books… [...]

By: Annie

Annie — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:58:33 +0000

I think the perspective is key, as you said, Jennifer. I find that’s true outside of books, too. We have a lot of friends who speak/act in ways I don’t “condone” but I still value their friendship and want to be open so we can learn from each other.
Like Amy and Linda said, though, if it’s too much I put it down; a book or sometimes, a friendship. You do have to have lines drawn and stand on them. And Liz, I appreciate your comment. It is up to us to guard our hearts and minds, and there’s always a danger of being “so open your brains fall out” as my Dad would say! It comes back to balance, for me, and as Dawn said, allowing the realism in, but also being vigilant about the effect it has on me.

By: Jennifer, Snapshot & (5M4B)

Jennifer, Snapshot & (5M4B) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:45:57 +0000

Thanks for the guest post!

I agree that I enjoy seeing a different side of life than the one I live — whether it’s choices different from the ones I’d make, or something such as dependence on drugs or extreme poverty. Books take us places!

By: Amy @ Hope Is the Word

Amy @ Hope Is the Word — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 04:18:30 +0000

Your story and mine are very similar, and like you, I *try* to get through the parts of books that make me uncomfortable (unless they are truly profane or blasphemous) if the book seems to have some redeeming qualities. If I don’t like it, though, I just put it aside.

By: Liz

Liz — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:08:05 +0000

I would fall into the other camp on this topic. I have a pretty narrow view, I guess. I’ve considered whether or not it’s acceptable to read a Christian book that contains sexual immorality or innuendo, even if the character is redeemed or learns a lesson in the end. I personally cannot do that in good conscience, even if the end justifies the means. It’s difficult for me to gel leniency with scripture, such as Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things. ”

Whatever I allow to go into my mind will quickly take root in my heart. I’m far too weak to believe I can be unaffected by worldly influence, even if I think I can rise above it.

Thank you for bringing up this topic, though. I’ve been curious to know where other people stood on the issue.

By: Linda

Linda — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:09:38 +0000

I’ve allowed some leniency in some the of the books I read, mainly because some of the characters wouldn’t be real without some of it. But if it gets to be too much, I lay it down.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:38:56 +0000

I can appreciate the gritty sides of life as portrayed in a novel, to me it adds to the realism, when things are sometimes dark and not necessarily 100% ‘clean.’

Thanks for sharing your thoughts here!