My Religion and My Banned Books

Proud of you John.

Hi. Because I am traveling for the Turtles All the Way Down movie (I am currently behind a fine Nameless Chain Restaurant in a thicket of honeysuckle trees), I recorded and edited this video on Sunday, before any news about the possible decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe. I realize that this video will be seen in that context, but it was not made in that context, and I just thought that might be helpful background. In our private giving, Sarah and I have for many years supported efforts to expand access to all forms of reproductive care, including abortion care, and will continue to do so. Also: I'm always uncomfortable talking about religion, as you can probably tell in the video, because my own relationship with religion is so wildly divergent from most of the conversations about religion online. And when I try to talk about it I often leave people feeling EVEN MORE dissatisfied with my answers, maybe in part because they are kind of unsatisfying. Like, my own approach to religion is not really centered on the question of whether God is Really Real or whether there is an afterlife. (For me, these are just not central questions. I know they are for lot of people!) I do not care if God is made up; I only care what God wants for us and for our world, and on this front I have some reasonably strong opinions that are outlined in the Gospels where, for example, God tells us that it is easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and where God makes very clear how we should treat the poor and those who are marginalized by race, gender, or ethnicity. God makes very clear how we should treat the imprisoned, and the hungry, and how we should treat refugees. This is not to say there is nothing that troubles me in the Bible--there is much that troubles me--only that my conclusions from revelation are focused on this world, and on how to respond to the injustice and inequity in this world. -John

"... because this is the internet and I don't wanna" is possibly the wisest set of words I've ever heard spoken on YouTube.

"I would argue that if great books have an agenda, it is not a liberal agenda, or a gay agenda or a Christian agenda--It is a humanizing agenda. A mission to recognize and acknowledge the human value in ourselves and others." "I think efforts to restrict stories are often efforts to restrict empathy." These are good words. Please keep doing what you do, John :)

"... because this is the Internet and I don't wanna." I appreciate such a blase declaration of a personal boundary. "I don't wanna" is all the justification we need provide. 👍

Whenever John makes a video this good Hank’s next video is always something like “5 ways drywall is making us sad”. I can’t wait

i’m listening to this on a road trip with my dad as he’s driving and he goes “i like this guy and what he has to say. he should write books”.

Looking for Alaska was a book that I read because it was to be banned in my local high school. The entire graduating class read it as a part of our protest. Looking for Alaska remains to this day my favorite book. My best friend and I got matching “I go to seek a great perhaps” Tattoos. We have posters all over our walls, framed to make them more adult. We reread the book in times of stress, happiness or boredom. It was the first book I can remember reading where I felt something. Not just what the author was writing and following with the characters. But a larger lesson, a bigger picture, I felt sorrow but also hope and joy. Feeling two polarizing feelings at once was a lot for my young brain. And it left an impact. How anyone views this book as salacious in any way is so weird to me. It’s such normal “teen” stuff. If anyone believes teens aren’t off doing worse, they’re probably mistaken. I also never understood forcing someone else to do or not to do something just because of your religion. Some Christians freak out over the Muslims and how they’ll bring America sharia law! But they’re not called to evangelize the way Christians are. They’re not trying to ban things for others because of their beliefs. Any rules for anyone other than yourself based off of religion is so strange and the opposite of how America is supposed to work. That’s just a rant on my thoughts. I don’t add much to the conversation but now you know I guess.

John, as a fellow Christian AND middle school English teacher grieved deeply by the increasing prevalence of framing empathy and nuance as "sin," thank you. Your books will always be welcome to stand in my classroom.

"I think efforts to restrict stories are often efforts to restrict empathy." A gut-punching line that gets to the heart of it all. Thank you.

Growing up, I was taught that the message of Christ was one of universal love, compassion, forgiveness, and charity. I was deeply disappointed and disturbed to find that many (perhaps most) people who profess that faith do not extend that love and compassion to certain groups that they disapprove of. They call themselves Christians, yet they ignore the most fundamental teaching of Christ. Thank you for bringing focus back where it has always belonged: treating each other with care, love, and respect.

As a working librarian, I appreciate this brief and nuanced explanation that cuts to the core of why the freedom to read is so important. Thank you.

“Dont just do something, stand there,” has been a line I’ve practiced throughout hardship since I first read it when TAR came out. When my grandmother was dying, when my sister was unwell, when my father was diagnosed with cancer... I tried to give them what they gave me during my lowest periods of chronic illness. I stood beside them, no more, no less. Thank you John.

I found myself nodding to each line but never as hard as when I heard books have a humanizing agenda. What an insightful and powerful video. Thank you John!

Catholic here with an English degree who is thinking about going back to school to become a chaplain! I just wanna say thanks John for your beautiful melding of faith & reason, truth & love, all together to make some beautiful stories and content for us to enjoy and ponder. ❤️

"efforts to restrict stories are often efforts to restict empathy." Well said. it has similar sentimental vibes as when Captain Holt from B99 said, "Every time steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place."

Being witness to another persons grief is the best way to help them in my opinion. I never wanted placation or empty words, just the acknowledgment that things were bad and a presence that can remind me that I am not alone and my pain is valid and real

How very well-timed. My teacher talked to us today about her opinion on book banning and I will be happy to show her this video tomorrow.

Thank you for posting this John. Thoughtful as ever. A quote from Sir Terry Pratchett seems appropriate here: "And sin, young man, is when you treat people as things. Including yourself. That’s what sin is.’ ‘It’s a lot more complicated than that -’ ‘No. It ain’t. When people say things are a lot more complicated than that, they means they’re getting worried that they won’t like the truth. People as things, that’s where it starts.” ― Terry Pratchett, Carpe Jugulum

My husband is a social worker with chaplaincy training and he sometimes gets flack for not “evangelizing” enough. God needs people who can meet people’s needs where they’re at, to just stand there and be a comforting presence. People seem to miss that Jesus’ earthly ministry was to break chains; spiritual, physical, social, religious. And Christians are supposed to emulate him!