nbruce writes “Over at the Revealer, March 18, there is the story of a book, The Limits of Orthodox Theology, banned in one neighborhood, but popular in another.”
At Eichler’s bookstore in Flatbush (that’s in Brooklyn, folks), Marc Shapiro’s new book has been flying off the shelves; at Eichler’s bookstore (unrelated) in Borough Park (Brooklyn, again), it’s been banned. “Due to neighborhood complaints we can’t keep this book on our shelves,” says a store rep.
So close, so far. Eichler’s in Flatbush sells to a general audience, albeit mostly Jewish. Eichler’s in Borough Park does almost exclusively ultra-Orthodox business. So what’s the big difference? Maimonides.
Store Won’t Sell Book
The book in question engages in academic discussion about the origins of the principles of faith. I don’t believe that the opposition is a censorship issue. People have strong feelings about their faith. Academic discussion is healthy but if it questions one’s faith and belief then it unsettles people. Why is the neighborhood reaction so surprising? If the criticism is valid then it is equally valid to discuss the authenticity of Mel Gibson’s movie. Society can’t have it both ways. Neighborhood sensitivities should be respected. Don’t we take that factor into account when we do collection development?
Neighborhood sensitivity
“Neighborhood sensitivities should be respected. Don’t we take that factor into account when we do collection development?”
When librarians do it, it is called censorship. When bookstores do it, it is just good marketing.