Churches shouldn't be burning books

When people talk about how terrible places like Nazi Germany were, one of the things that often comes up is book burning.

In repressive countries, it's important for the leadership to prevent citizens from learning ideas that might make them dissatisfied with the government. So books get burned.

In recent years in this country, we've heard of fundamentalist churches burning Harry Potter books and the like, but there's a little church in Canton, N.C., that is giving book burning a whole new meaning.

On October 31st, for its "Hell-o-ween" celebration -- fundies don't like Halloween -- members of the Amazing Grace Baptist Church in this little town half an hour west of Asheville on I-40 will be burning Bibles.

That's right, Bibles.

The Word of God.

Not Korans or Torahs or Wiccan manuscripts. The good folks of Canton will be burning most editions of the Holy Bible newer than the King James Version. They'll also be burning books by heretics like Rick Warren, James DobsonJames Dobson, Benny Hinn, Robert Schuller and -- among many others -- North Carolina's own Billy GrahamBilly Graham.

Who knew Graham was a heretic?

Music isn't safe either. Along with the expected burning of rock and roll, heavy metal and rap music, these folks will be torching country and western, jazz, pop music, oldies but goodies and ... wait for it ... Southern gospel and contemporary Christian.

I might point out that they didn't mention the blues or techno-pop, but they did put an "etc." at the end of the music list that probably even includes secular Christmas carols.

If you want to see their statement of what they do believe, it's here on their Website. They're extremely conservative, as you might expect, and I have no problem with that.

Actually, they speak of living "apart from the world" but accepting civil authority as part of what God expects of them. Again, no problem.

It just makes me angry that they burn books. I truly believe in a big part of freedom being the marketplace of ideas, and if you don't have enough confidence in your own beliefs that you're willing to let people learn about others, I'm not sure you're doing yourself any favors.

I'd be willing to bet that they're wonderful people and good Christians, at least to each other. They say anyone is welcome in their church, but they will not allow anyone to spread dissent or propose changes in their way of life.

It seems very strange to me.

Even though I would never burn a book, I suppose I can at least understand how some people might be afraid of J.K. RowlingJ.K. Rowling and her Harry Potter books.

But Billy Graham?

Imagine a church that wouldn't welcome Billy Graham, as old and frail as he is.

Of course, they've got that covered.

Franklin Graham is on the list too.