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Banned Book Club -III

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^{Anaya's Banned Book Club}

is a haven for literary rebels and courageous readers who dare to explore the pages that others have sought to suppress. In a dimly lit corner of a quaint bookstore, Anaya curates a collection of works that have faced censorship, controversy, and condemnation. From classics like "Of Mice And Men" and "Diary of Anne Frank" to contemporary novels challenging societal norms, the club thrives on the power of the written word to provoke thought and stir debate. Each meeting is a journey through forbidden narratives, where members discuss the impact and relevance of these books in today's world, fostering a community united by a shared love for the freedom of expression.

^{Alarms sound off as conservative and often overtly evangelical Christian auspices target the Bible for removal from schools and libraries. The Bible’s been permanently pulled from elementary school shelves, other states pressured to review whether the Bible violates any of their newly passed restrictions on educational materials. The Bible an ironic, effective tool in the growing fight over who controls what children read.}

^{The Bible is too "vulgar or violent" article’s like "Smutty books have no place in our schools. It's time to ban the Bible" from a very real petition submitted to Utah's Davis School District to remove the King James Version from classrooms. Request following a 2022 state ban on allegedly explicit reading material pushed by "Utah Parents United" advocacy group — an effort that "left off one of the most sex-ridden books around," the anonymous petitioner wrote in their official complaint, the Bible. Citing "incest, onanism, bestiality, prostitution, genital mutilation, rape and even infanticide" as evidence that the "the Bible, under Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-1227, has 'no serious values for minors' because it's pornographic by our new definition”.}

^{The Bible contains "vulgarity or violence," a representative from Utah's Davis School District confirmed to the Salt Lake City Tribune the removal remaining available for upper school students. The Torah and Quran have reportedly not been challenged, although just days after the Bible's ban was announced, a similar petition was filed to restrict the Book of Mormon.}

^{The Bible is not banned in America. In fact, prohibiting the Bible would be unconstitutional.}^{"Traditionally, in America, the Bible is best taught, and best understood, in the home, and around the hearth, as a family~}

“A Diary of Occupation” Vakulenko Volodymyr’s last work (Banned in Ukraine) eastern part 20% Diary of Volodymyr Vakulenko — painful and true records that the writer kept from the beginning of the full-scale invasion and during the occupation of Izyum and his native village of Kapitolivka in Kharkiv Oblast. Dangerous to the Russian occupation force A bright and cheery children’s book writer’s remorse He said on the tenth day of occupation FSB “It’s who you remain during all of this” Then, buried his manuscript underneath a cherry tree My heart sinks when I think of Vakulenko and Victoria A Poet, a journalist in this bloody war This is about a writer who’d know what was in store His hand-written manuscript's underground in his backyard Russian troops surround his village put him on guard His life stolen they would pillage, his books found and burned and captured him O Vakulenko, we’ll carry your script in our bosom Following his death and the liberation of Kharkiv Victoria the one his journal of the war would retrieve Her book of Ukrainians who wrote on the war, her mission Was killed in an air strike Her books by Russia deemed sedition Worried he would be tortured or killed, in the black Ukrainian soil Her life was also taken in turmoil Ukrainian man in a war-torn country Today I honor thee Your words shall be read Around the world spread America like Russia may do the same Banning such books unconscionable shame

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Ann Peck

Date: 2/28/2025 12:51:00 PM

How powerful, Anaya! Thank you so much for sharing his words. Incredible! And the banning of books was one of the first stitches in this terrible New America cloth.

I Am Anaya
Date: 2/28/2025 6:53:00 PM

Ann, so nice of you to share your thoughts with me, today. I'll be posting a bestselling banned book every Saturday. Thank you for the visit, we'll just have to hope for the best now that America has made there choise. ~

Sally Eslinger

Date: 2/28/2025 9:17:00 AM

Wow! Thank you for writing this, for spreading the truths in these lines! I did not know…i voiced my support for Ukraine since day one of the war. Trump’ stand & the U.S. vote at thebUN. Was beyond shameful, it was evil! God bless you & your poetry!

I Am Anaya
Date: 2/28/2025 10:21:00 AM

Hi Sally, I just witnessed a meet on CNN with Zelensky, our King, and Jester JD Vance, I was tearing up at the same time angered. They mistreated him. Sally Thank you much for your visit, I wasn't sure if I was going on with the book club, well you have made up my mind, sweet lady, I'm keeping on! xhugs

Michael Tor

Date: 2/26/2025 10:24:00 AM

Anaya what a great Tribute in sharing Vakulenko and Victoria's Plight. This was heartfelt to read. Your sharing of their experience is monumental. Your words honor their cause. They are looking down on you and thanking you for keeping their memories and cause alive. This one is another favorite from me it really touched me when I read it and you wrote this for two great souls that I hope their story is never forgotten through your words of love and affection for them. God bless you for doing so.

I Am Anaya
Date: 2/27/2025 7:24:00 AM

Her words will never be forgotten, Michael my friend. I may have brought them to life on my site, but the world is watching and have seen Ukrainians devastation. Millions know of them, Ty, it's always nice to see your kind thoughts on my page~

Daniel Henry Rodgers

Date: 2/25/2025 8:40:00 AM

Dear Anaya, your poetic words carry such a weight of truth and pain. OMG! The way you honor Vakulenko and Victoria, their resilience and sacrifice, is both humbling and heartbreaking. You've created such a powerful tribute to their lives and their work, and you've made their voices echo beyond the pages of history. Shocking that they would try to ban the Bible that is so full of Wisdom, Knowledge, History, and the Love of God!!! I stand with you!! Winter Blessings, my Dear friend, Daniel

I Am Anaya
Date: 2/25/2025 9:15:00 PM

War is very sad, they were both children's book writers and friends taken by the cruel war. Thank you, Daniel, your thoughts are always welcome. WARMEST BLESSINGS

Duke Beaufort

Date: 2/23/2025 11:08:00 AM

Anaya, I could see the current administration wanting to ban the Ukrainian view, but that would be as you say, "...an unconscionable shame." The part about the Bible banning is also very interesting. There are many cases and many decisions about its appropriate placement. I do believe it has a value in teaching about facets of life and consider it the first psychology textbook although it's not often credited for that. Smiles!!

I Am Anaya
Date: 2/23/2025 11:43:00 AM

Zelensky may resign if Ukraine is allowed in NATO for peace. The bible is a good source for many things, I love the beautiful sacred psalms (poems). I listen to the Jesus Christ Show on Sunday morn's...call in's ask theological questions...that sort, Niel Savedra as Jesus is a scholar in theology, can't be beat, 10 years of listen! Smiles back!

Robert Gorelick

Date: 2/22/2025 1:35:00 PM

I believe we should be true to ourselves and on the side of decency or we shall lose ourselves in a dark mentality. A fine expose, the price of courage is often painful, but not as painful as losing our souls to evil. "What good does it do us to gain all the riches of the earth if we lose our souls in the process"- Jesus. Robert

Robert Gorelick
Date: 2/23/2025 11:50:00 AM

I would consider it a privilege and a delight; I prefer chamomile and vanilla scones! Robert

I Am Anaya
Date: 2/22/2025 1:55:00 PM

Perhaps I should make this a Bible Study instead of a book banning session. I would love it! I can't light the fireplace it's 85 outside but that's alright we can take it out on the patio, we'll do mint iced tea. Ty for the quote, here is the study...

I Am Anaya
Date: 2/22/2025 1:52:00 PM

Jesus' teachings, The question is designed to provoke self-reflection on priorities and values, urging individuals to consider the true cost of their pursuits. to gain the whole world "Gaining the whole world" symbolizes achieving the highest level of worldly success, power, and wealth. Historically, this reflects the ambitions of rulers and emperors who sought to expand their territories and influence. Biblically, it echoes the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, where Satan offers Him all the kingdoms of the world (Matthew 4:8-9). This phrase underscores the temporary nature of earthly gains compared to eternal life.

I Am Anaya
Date: 2/22/2025 1:52:00 PM

yet forfeit his soul? "Forfeiting one's soul" refers to the ultimate loss of one's eternal life and relationship with God. In the cultural context of Jesus' time, the soul was considered the essence of a person's being, more valuable than any material possession. This phrase warns against the danger of prioritizing temporal achievements over spiritual health. It connects to other scriptures, such as Matthew 16:26 and Luke 9:25, which convey similar messages about the cost of discipleship and the importance of eternal perspective. The concept of the soul's value is also seen in the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21), where earthly wealth cannot secure one's soul.

Tom Woody

Date: 2/22/2025 1:04:00 PM

Sigh. More to come no doubt. I mentioned already how the Russian govt has labeled JW's an extremist organization, banned our Bible, website, literature, confiscated our properties and terrorized our people with home raids, torture and imprisonment. As for the Bible, billions of copies are in circulation in well over 3,000 languages. It's true, the Bible records history AS IT ACTUALLY OCCURRED, without whitewashing the accounts, even for Biblical heroes like David.

I Am Anaya
Date: 2/23/2025 1:09:00 PM

Oh, Sista just texted me, the bible condemns homosexual? the bible promotes homophobia? answers..True the bible says Men who practice homosexuality...will not inherit God's kingdom..1 Corinthians 6:9 10

I Am Anaya
Date: 2/23/2025 1:04:00 PM

Wow, great sermon Tommy, thank you for sharing and responding to me. I respect you more than ever!

I Am Anaya
Date: 2/23/2025 12:55:00 PM

Ah, that's nice Tommy. I feel bad what I said but feel sad for the poor queer teens who want Christianity in their lives. A real thing. :)

Tom Woody
Date: 2/23/2025 12:55:00 PM

I added to my comment below

I Am Anaya
Date: 2/23/2025 12:54:00 PM

My sister didn't comment, so I looked up queer vid's and found this innocence, ah. How to know it's OK to be LGBTQ: Matthew 7 | Queer Theology

Tom Woody
Date: 2/23/2025 12:44:00 PM

God loves everyone and is calling all to repentance in these last days. However, his moral standards are immutable and eternal. JW's neither ridicule nor persecute those struggling with gender issues. On the contrary, agape love moves us to want to help. Regarding your statement just below, 1 Corinthians 6:9,10 makes clear that ANY sexual perversion or activity (listen up heterosexuals) outside of marriage and that disrespects the sacred transmission of life is forbidden. As the Designer and Creator of the human body, Jehovah has a right to set the standards for human activity. This was the challenge presented by Satan in the garden, ie, that humans can be their own gods, deciding for themselves good from bad, right from wrong. Sadly, the majority have wittingly or unwittingly bought into it (Revelation 12:9). But not all (1 John 5:19)

I Am Anaya
Date: 2/23/2025 12:42:00 PM

As an activist, i'd feel incumbent, and should not do a bible study...here it is..LGBTQ are told they are sick, and that sodomy is an abomination...well, sodomy is practically protocol in routine sexual activity with non-homosexual's...see I'd fail in the study.

I Am Anaya
Date: 2/23/2025 12:21:00 PM

Do you think they should be persecuted for being trans? See these are the gues.'s I would ask. Many LGBtQ teens are Christian and fear the consternation of God! What would you tell them?

Tom Woody
Date: 2/23/2025 12:13:00 PM

Well... When I was on Deviantart years ago that much younger crowd ate up my blogs with thousands of views and hundreds of comments with themes like: What kind of place is hell? Evolution: fact or fiction? Does God really care about us? The one that got the most discussion was on LGBTQ. Yikes!

I Am Anaya
Date: 2/23/2025 12:05:00 PM

No blogs please...post a study above in notes area, then a bitesize thought about it in poems area...get creative ! Do I have to do everything? lol alas must the burden always be mine...ha I'll try it, I'll post it by afternoon...what's yesterday's bible study? oh, my sister said it's a Daily text...she's texting it...