Miller Library Celebrates Banned Books Week
Sep 24, 2009
Banned Books Week (BBW), held this year September 26th through October 3rd, is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States. While in the United States media attention is often drawn to evangelical Christians challenging books, such as the Harry Potter series for endorsing witchcraft, the most banned book worldwide is the Holy Bible. From Roman Emperors in the early church to numerous governments today, the Bible has been attacked for its radical and transforming message.
Miller Library is celebrating Banned Book Week with displays highlighting the Bible and other banned Christian works throughout the centuries. Come into the library anytime today through the end of next week to see various Bibles that have been banned over the centuries, and read stories of how the Bible continues to be banned across the world today. Let us celebrate our freedom to read as we are mindful of those who have been and today are persecuted for pushing forward the Holy Scriptures in the native tongues of people worldwide.
WYCLIFFE BIBLE (1382)
BANNED: By the Roman Catholic Church
and England government
First Bible translation in the English language, translated from the Latin Vulgate by John Wycliffe (1324-1384) and his colleagues. Wycliffe, on order of the Catholic Church, was dug-up 44 years after his death, his bones crushed, and scattered into a river. Manuscripts of this book were used as kindling for the burning death of Jon Hus in 1415.
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:11-12
ERASMUS GREEK LATIN
PARALLEL NEW TESTAMENT (1516)
BANNED: Several Bible translations using
this book as a source were banned
Bible translation in the Latin language, translated from earliest available Greek manuscripts by Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536). It was the first Bible translation into Latin since the Vulgate in 405 AD. Editions of the Erasmus New Testament were used in the creation of the Tyndale Bible (1525), Luther Bible (1522/1534), and Geneva Bible (1560).
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.
John 15:18-21
LUTHER BIBLE (1522/1534)
BANNED: By Roman Catholic Church
Bible translation in the German language, translated from Erasmus’s Greek New Testament and available Hebrew texts by Martin Luther (1483-1546). This was the first German language Bible to be translated directly from Greek and Hebrew.
Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 3:7-8
TYNDALE BIBLE (1525)
BANNED: By Roman Catholic Church
and England government
Bible translation in the English language, translated from Erasmus’s Greek New Testament and available Hebrew texts by William Tyndale (1494-1536). Those caught buying or selling this book were threatened by authorities, and at times tried for heresy and put to death. Tyndale spent his last year in prison at Vilvorde (near Brussels) and died there at the stake.
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:12-15
GENEVA BIBLE (1560)
Bible translation in the English language, New Testament translated from Erasmus’s Greek New Testament using Tyndale Bible’s as a guide and Old Testament translated from available Hebrew texts by William Whittingham (1524-1579) and others.
In the LORD I take refuge… The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face.
Psalm 11:1, 5-7
AUTHORIZED VERSION /
KING JAMES BIBLE (1611)
Bible translation in the English language, using the latest Greek and Hebrew texts available at the time, by commission of King James of England.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Romans 12:14-16
SAUR BIBLE
“GUN-WAD BIBLE” (1776)
BANNED: By British Royalists in American Colonies
Christoph Saur (1693-1758) printed the first European language Bible in America at Germantown, PA in 1743. His son, Christoph Saur II (1721-1784) printed second (1763) and third (1776) editions of the German language Luther Bible. Because Saur would neither take an oath nor bear arms, he was viewed as a spy. British soldiers took all available copies of third edition Saur Bibles to use them as horse bedding and cartridge paper for muskets, thus “gun-wad.”
For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance. Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
Psalm 94:14-15
CHINA: BOOKSTORE OWNER SENTENCED
Weihan was arrested in November 2007 for printing and distributing Bibles and other Christian literature.
DISCOVERY OF BURNED BIBLES CUTS INTO THE QUIET OF A PARK
The woman found not just one burned Bible but a scorched heap of them. And the women were quickly able to determine that the Bibles were not Rosebank, an area of predominately Italian heritage, because one book's cover bore the German words: "DIE BIBEL."
OLYMPICS: CHINA CONFISCATES BIBLES
Customs officials confiscated 315 Chinese Bibles from a Vision Beyond Borders team on Sunday, August 17, 2008.
UGANDA (AND OTHER NATIONS); CHRISTIANITY UNDER ATTACK
In Saudi Arabia no Christian is allowed to publicly express his/her faith. Bibles are burned by the religious police and prayer services are frequently broken up and the worshipers beaten and arrested without bail.
KUWAIT
The government discourages Christianity by providing financial incentives for Muslims and has even purchased and burned large quantities of Bibles.
THE BOOK THEY USED TO BURN FIRES THE NEW REVOLUTION OF FAITH IN CHINA
In the ultra-leftist Cultural Revolution between 1966 and 1976, Bibles were burned as tomes of superstition. Much has altered since the 1980s when government policy required tourists and visitors not to bring in bibles "in excess of personal use."
DARI, PASHTO EDITIONS OF BIBLE BURNT AT U.S. BASE IN AFGHANISTAN
American officials in Afghanistan say they have burnt Dari and Pashto versions of the Bible sent to Afghanistan by an American church.
NUMBER OF KYRGYZ CONVERTING TO CHRISTIANITY GROWS
For example, on 28 July 2006 about 80 Muslims broke into the Baptist church in the village of Kara-Kuldzha, beat the pastor and burnt several bibles and other religious materials in the church.
