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Anti-Censorship
Banning books and censoring diverse viewpoints is harmful to our democracy, specifically impacting the diversity of the American people, including religious diversity.
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We believe in the freedom to learn
Our nation’s public schools and libraries are building blocks for an inclusive, participatory democracy, where exposure to new ideas allows students to flourish and grow.
But a coordinated national censorship campaign is eliminating diverse perspectives and creating a hostile learning environment with a particular burden falling on youth representing minority faiths, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations and gender identities. Banning books and censoring diverse viewpoints is harmful to our democracy, specifically impacting the diversity of the American people, including religious diversity. Many of the titles being banned in schools and libraries around the country are about minority faiths, which is a threat to religious freedom. Further, in many cases, LGBTQ+ subject matter is being banned under the guise of religious freedom. It is imperative that people of faith speak out to protect our pluralistic, inclusive democracy.
Tell Congress: Sponsor the Banned Books Resolution
A coordinated national censorship campaign – with deep ties to the Christian nationalist movement – is banning books and attacking the foundations of our democracy, targeting books about minority faiths and ethnicities, LGBTQ+ identity, racism, and history. Congress has an opportunity now to take a stand for our kids and for the First Amendment by supporting the Banned Books Resolution.
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Anti-Censorship resources
Instead of celebrating diversity of belief, many book ban advocates are using religion as a sword to discriminate by limiting subject matter that is not in line with one particular faith Perspective.
We are working in partnership with the American Library Association and PEN America to address growing censorship and book bans.
If you’re interested in learning more about our anti-censorship advocacy, please contact Tranée McDonald at tmcdonald@interfaithalliance.org.
Instead of celebrating diversity of belief, many book ban advocates are using religion as a sword to discriminate by limiting subject matter that is not in line with one particular faith Perspective.
We are working in partnership with the American Library Association and PEN America to address growing censorship and book bans.
If you’re interested in learning more about our anti-censorship advocacy, please contact Tranée McDonald at tmcdonald@interfaithalliance.org.
50 Banned Books Featuring Religious Minorities
See the listBanned Beliefs: How People of Diverse Faiths Are Fighting to Protect Our Public Schools and Libraries
Access the resource
Book Bans vs. the Right to Read: Kelly Jensen and Rev. Amos Brown
This week on The State of Belief, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush welcomes Kelly Jensen. She’s a passionate advocate for intellectual freedom, democracy, and the right to read. As an editor at Book Riot and a former librarian, Kelly has been at the forefront of the fight against book bans and censorship. The urgent conversation covers the growing wave of censorship, the role of religious extremism in book-banning efforts, and what we can do to safeguard free expression and democratic values.
Faith, Freedom, and Reproductive Rights
At the heart of our democracy is the belief that individuals should be free to make decisions guided by their own conscience, values, and beliefs, especially when it comes to their health care. The growing efforts to restrict access to reproductive health care under the guise of religious or political authority is deeply concerning and recent legal challenges across the country threaten not only access to care but also the foundational principle that no single religious tradition should determine public policy for everyone.
Let's build a democracy that works for all people
Together, we can make a significant impact in this pivotal moment in our nation's history.