At the end of September, libraries and bookstores everywhere will be celebrating “Banned Books Week.” This got us thinking: why do people ban books (or, in extreme cases, burn them)? Literature is such a fundamental part of human life, and yet time and time again throughout history there have been concerted efforts to suppress or destroy certain books.
These days, when we talk about banned books, titles such as “To Kill a Mockingbird” usually come to mind. However, let’s not forget that one of the most commonly banned books worldwide is not some provocative piece of modern literature, it’s the Bible. Today, owning a Bible in certain countries is downright dangerous and can lead to arrest, assault, or worse.
Book Burning Throughout History
At the same time, it’s worth noting that censorship is nothing new when it comes to political and religious texts. Almost every country or religion has experienced some form of book burning. In 213 B.C, a Chinese Emperor burned philosophy and history books from states other than Qin, because the books did not comply with his dogma. Torah and Talmud scrolls have been burned since the early days of Christianity up until the Holocaust. Catholic priests burned Martin Luther’s German translation of the Bible during the Reformation.
Even Harry Potter is Not Safe
Unfortunately, book burning remains in fashion even to this day. Perhaps the most well-known modern example involves the popular “Harry Potter” book. J.K. Rowling’s now-famous stories have been frequently criticized by religious figures for romanticizing the occult and promoting devil worship. Some pastors, claiming the books were harmful to children, went as far as to hold public book burnings in an attempt to rid the Earth of the “ungodly” themes of wizardry promoted within.
Then again, book burning is not nearly as common as it once was. These days books deemed too offensive to read in school are put on the “Banned Books” list. Many school libraries throughout the U.S. continue to block students from reading certain supposedly-dangerous texts.
Censorship in Religion
Religious leaders often choose to stifle ideas that don’t align with the core teachings of their faith. For example, Charles Darwin’s “On the Origin of the Species” is rarely welcome during discussions about creation among people of faith. But isn’t there value in understanding ideas that contradict your own? Without reading the evidence behind evolution, how could a Christian successfully defend his/her belief in Creationism?
Great literature is worth reading and discussing, whether we believe with the point-of-view of the author or not. If a person is not strong enough in their own beliefs to stand against an opposing viewpoint, then censorship is the inevitable outcome. But is it the right one?
Read more at https://www.themonastery.org/blog/2017/09/fiery-ideas-why-books-are-banned-and-burned/#UdPp7J617Vj7jicV.99
I can always count on the Blues Brothers to make me laugh, cry and keep laughing. For your Thursday enjoyment, time for a healthy mind bending break. M
I’m so glad to share this day & everyday with you. M
“The excellence in every art is its intensity”- John Keats
Photo from the garden of Hyperion Sturm
When I see you there, laid bare, half what you are and half what you wish to be, all I can think of is the intensity of your eyes and the moonlight on your face. I’m left to wonder, how it is that love can be measured in the ache of our silence?
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The night Survivors Blog Here was born, Army of Angels, Hyperion, and myself brainstormed late into the night. We asked ourselves, what are readers looking for and what can we offer them? How do we make it inviting and show our commitment to helping people move forward? At that moment, we knew Survivors Blog Here’s mission.
We’re a collaborative of writers with a common goal to support men and women while working thru pain and taking steps forward to healing. Our contributors have diverse backgrounds, personalities, and age, which makes for interesting reading.
People with pain from Mental Illness, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Men’s and Women’s Sexual Assault, have to keep moving forward to understand the pain. Each step brings you closer to overcoming the next challenges and transitioning from victim or patient to Survivor.
Survivors Blog Here’s foundation is the Contributors who share their struggles to help others. Our followers are the brick and mortar of our blog. Our readers are expressive, loyal, and continue to push us forward. Thank you for following, leaving comments, making Survivors Blog Here a brighter place.
Army of Angels send’s her love and will return soon. To highlight the celebration of our third year anniversary, We want to shine a light on our Contributors and Readers who expresses joy, care, empathy, and love for one another. You surprise me, make me laugh, I grow from you. Thank You. You can find your favorite Contributors at Survivors Blog Here and their personal Blogs below.
A Patients Voice www.apaitentsvoice@wordpress.com
Hypervigilant http://hypervigilant.org
Livin with Paralysis www.livinwithparalysis@wordpress.com
Robert M Goldstein www.robertmgoldstein@wordpress.com
Sedge808 www.sedge808@wordpress.com
Survivors Road www.survivorsroad@wordpress.com
Surviving the Spector www.survivingthespector@wordpress.com
Army of Angels www.armyofangels@wordpress.com
Hyperian www.returnofthedragons@wordpress.com
Looking for the Light Blog www.lookingforthelightblog@wordpress.com
Browse around, meet your neighbors, grab a comfy chair, and enjoy the refreshments.
For your musical entertainment and a good laugh, this is for you. M
iTunes Podcast Episode-7 Mood Changer
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-7-mood-changer/id1238801741?i=1000391690504&mt=2
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Sending love, support and prayers to survivors of the hurricanes, we haven’t and will not forget you. Keep believing in the human spirit. Life brings us major challenges which you are now facing. The sunlight of a new day may take time, it will come. M
Overjoyed at the success of California passing the first Sexual Assault Bill of Rights in 2016. Why not a NATIONAL LAW? Men and women sexual assault survivors deserve protection across America. M
Amanda Nguyen and her organization Rise, starting a Change.org petition. Her passion and dedication helped protect 25 million sexual assault survivors.
HELP California Rape Survivors!
Victory — On October 7, 2016, President Obama signed the first ever Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights into law. Championed by Amanda Nguyen and her organization Rise, this important legislation will help give civil rights and protections to more than 25 million sexual assault survivors.
5 months before signing the law, Medium.com ran the campaign below during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The video is a provocative look at how hospitals judge and disrespect some Sexual Assault Survivors.
Five Ways You Can Support Survivors During Sexual Assault Awareness Month 
This story is important to everyone. Freedom was taken away from Nurse by Police Officer who violently abused and arrested an innocent woman. HE still has a job! This behavior adds to the divide in our country. Who next? When will this insanity end.
WP Editor has a mind of own, creating a formatting error. It’s Monday! M
Change.org
Alex Wubbels is an ER nurse from University Hospital in SLC, Utah who was arrested for following hospital policy and looking out for the rights of her patient. Let’s get behind her for doing to right thing.
- Utah Governor
- Senator
Orrin Hatch - SLC Police Chief
Mike Brown
The teenager whose online relationship with Anthony Weiner threw Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign into a tailspin is revealing her face for the first time.
In an interview that will air in full on Monday, the teenager told Inside Edition how quickly the messages she exchanged with the disgraced New York congressman turned lurid.
Read: Sydney Leathers Weighs In on Weiner’s Latest Scandal: ‘He’s Quite the Egomaniac’
The girl was 15 when she first contacted Weiner through a direct message on Twitter in January 2016.
+ Abuse, Moving Forward, PTSD, Rape, Sexual Abuse, Survivor
Police say Delaware man raped girl 250 times over 5 years
Delaware police say a man repeatedly raped the same girl 250 times over the course of five years.
41-year-old Richard White Jr. was recently indicted on 11 counts of second-degree rape, four counts of sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child porn.
Police detail that the raping started back in 2012.
What did Joe Paterno know and when did he know it?
According to an explosive new CNN report published Saturday, the legendary ex-Penn State football coach may have known about Jerry Sandusky’s sexual abuse of young boys years before Sandusky’s 2011 arrest.
CNN obtained a Pennslyvania police report that described Paterno’s reaction to whistleblower Mike McQueary showing up in his office in 2001 and telling Paterno that he had witnessed Sandusky engaged in “an extreme sexual act” with a young boy in the football locker room.
SINCERELY, X AUDIO PODCASTThis week on Sincerely, X, a podcast from TED and Audible where speakers share ideas anonymously. Episode 8 features a woman whose bravery after a devastating assault allowed her to reclaim her own personal power. Available now on Apple Podcasts, the TED Android app, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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After being hacked in the spring, I talked with WordPress for extra security ideas. The post is short and sweet. I feel good taking the steps which are now good habits.
Log in from WordPress front page http://www.wordpress.com
Enable the two-step authorization, the response with the code needed is lightning quick
Sign out at Avatar/Gravatar in the upper right corner
This will take you to Profile page to sign out
These steps take at most 30 seconds.
In the cyber crime environment, you need safety. If anyone has more info on security, I’m all ears.
M
Enjoy the tune mix up this week. Kathy Perry is so funny in many of her videos, I like this one. She can laugh at herself, she’s cool by me. I am enjoying Harry Stiles voice and sexy boy looks. How did he ever work in a boy band. Shaun Mendes wasn’t on my radar, he can shake it up. You’ll see more of him in the coming months.
Thanks for jamming with me and let’s do this again next Thursday.
M
Patricia is a courageous woman, honest in her writings and allows you into her like. I think she is a wonderful. M
Unprocessed trauma causes severe and long lasting injury. Trauma commonly goes underground for children sexually abused because no one wants to acknowledge their own shame in committing the acts or for not protecting her from them. A child is critically wounded and no one comes. She’s bleeding and hanging on to life, but you don’t see the blood. She needs help and immediate intervention yet is left stranded and silenced. Yet life goes on.
An entire piece of her is locked away and behind the chains are all evidence of the child she was or the person she would have become. She does what she can to survive. Her brain deals with the sudden impact of life and death attacks internally. Over and over the mind spins with no relief. Nerve impulses create unhealthy pathways, deep grooves that become repetitive, permanent patterns.
Without intervention the child lives…
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The morning after you killed yourself we went to secure the house. I knew immediately you suffered slowly. Among the papers, trash and clothes I found your lock box. The divorce paperwork to my mother, every card I gave you as a child. I found the pad you were writing on. Your Bible on coffee table, dried tears as you read Job.
The note had 11:30 a.m. written in corner. I could see you called your best friend and the phone number to a suicide line. There were words and a drawing that made no sense. Granny paralyzed, crying, asking why. The house ransacked, not sure anything made sense to her.
Dirty dishes piled high, nothing in refrigerator, how did you live like this, how long? You phoned me several times in the months before your death. Delusional and highly paranoid each time. Someone was tapping your phone, they were trying to get you and the rest I could not understand, you were already gone. As much as I hated you, I cried, begged you not to kill yourself, trying to reason Granny would never be the same. I paid your bills for months. You weren’t in touch with reality.
The outcome will not change if determined. I knew you would take your life and told no-one. I’ve wondered what went through your mind in the hours doodling to writing the note, then killing yourself. I received the call at 10:00 p.m. Gramps said your dad has done away with himself. I called right back to see if you were dead or going to hospital.
The boxes of cassettes were next to your bed, taking months to listen to. You were mentally ill, not under care, no medications. Your temper went 1-10 in seconds, obnoxious, loud, racist, screaming, out of control.
I think of you one day a year.
M
The Respect Award comes to me from Danica Piche at Living The Beautiful Life. Hugs to you my dear friend. I’m honored. If you’re not already following her blog, you are missing a slice of the pie. http://www.danicapiche@wordpress.com
What is the Respect Award?
The Respect Award is given by Rob once a year to acknowledge and show respect to fellow bloggers who, in his words, make him a better blogger and make him feel human. They also:
- are compassionate, witty, interesting, rebellious, imaginative, patient, open-minded, and creative.
- are generous with their words and support; they walk their talk.
- raise spirits and make people smile.
What are the rules for The Respect Award?
Nominees don’t have to do a thing. Nothing.
This is a no obligation award, which means you don’t have to nominate anyone.
I’m taking the award at face value of doing nothing.
A Big Texas thank y’all to everyone who follows, comments, likes, or peaks in my blog.
M
The Respect Award comes to me from Robert at Art by Rob Goldstein. Thank you so much, Robert. My Blog is Award Free, I accept for the reason of no commitment. This is the second year to receive the award, I’m very grateful. If you’re not already following his blog, please pay him a visit —your world will never be the same.
What is the Respect Award?
The Respect Award is given by Rob once a year to acknowledge and show respect to fellow bloggers who, in his words, make him a better blogger and make him feel human. They also:
- are compassionate, witty, interesting, rebellious, imaginative, patient, open-minded, and creative.
- are generous with their words and support; they walk their talk.
- raise spirits and make people smile.
What are the rules for The Respect Award?
Nominees don’t have to do a thing. Nothing.
I plan the do nothing route. Thanks again Robert.
A huge Texas thank y’all to everyone who follows, comments, likes, or drops in for a peak. Melinda
This week is a great compilation from the request line. Each song compliments the other so well. I know you want the DJ to play your song, I spin for you. Come on, make my day.
Houston and outlying areas were devastated by Hurricane Harvey. The best way you can help is search the list of organizations assembled by Charity Navigator. It’s a list of respected organizations focused on specific relief needed in the areas effected. I give to the Red Cross, they are not government-funded yet often the first responders. On the Charity Navigator list is an animal rescue group on the ground. Every penny counts. Thanks. M
For Danica
For Gavin
For You
Patricia is brutally honest about her past, she’s written a book but pain isn’t solved by writing. We have to work deep in our soul to understand and reconcile the trauma. Patricia has a beautiful blog and is one great photographer. May sure you stop by to say hello.
M
There are many shattering losses due to childhood sexual abuse and the lingering ramifications are substantial. One in particular is difficult to talk about, sexual intimacy in a loving relationship. That was stolen from me and I mourn what was lost.
When a child loves and trusts her brother (substitute father, uncle, mother, etc.), the closeness, warmth, and time spent together is not sexual. A hug is benign, just a hug, filled with warmth and love. That’s it. And when she gets older, perhaps adolescence, she might feel a twinge of her sexuality at her first kiss with a boy she likes her own age.
Then she’s a teenager and it’s said the hormones take over, not me. I was scared and frozen when my boyfriend tried to touch me in any sexual way. But this is when one explores happily, both boy and girl enjoying the closeness and exploration.
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Reblogging is a frustrating feeling and one I’ve heard for years. Last week I could not remember how to find post to reblog. Here’s the most simplistic way I know to reblog. Go back to basic’s. There’s information on WordPress on the process of reblogging if you want to read.
You can write from either Writer page, the key is where you are when publishing. The newer stark white Writer with all tools compact on the right side. I write in this section often but do not reblog from here. I do cleanup, previews all the processes we go thru.
Then make sure it’s saved and I switch over to old Writer. I hit the back button at top left next to name of blog. Then go down to Admin, click, scroll to post and you arrive at old Writer. The page is laid out vertical with the tools down below post and you scroll thru each process.
After preview and last-minute changes, I save draft, then click publish. once published at the Top Left of Page it reads, Preview Post. Click their, scroll down your post to find reblog button is there.
M
I’m honored to join the community at Men’s Movement. Being apart of the men’s community, sharing to help others always fills me with sunshine. There is another important aspect to joining the community, expanding my knowledge. I can’t speak for men and how they process mental illness or other trauma. I urge you to check out the site, http://www.mensmovement.com Exciting growth is happening, webcast are in development and a second site is coming together. M
Men’s Movement Mission Statement
Here at The Men’s Movement Community we are passionate about on-line (and off-line) transformative education, and we promote and sell books, apps and courses in psychology, therapy, and coaching. The products we sell is often within a narrow niche and deals with a highly specific problem and offer a very particular solution. We will present solutions in anger management, neurodiversity, and sexual abuse healing.
Our goal is to bring the most effective tools in personal development out to the general male population, not only as a producer and seller of programs but also as a campaigner for the raising of men’s collective self-awareness, self-compassion, and self-care. We are using the latest technology to deepen our humanity.
Our work centers around men’s personal development, helping you to Step Into Your Power. The Men’s Movement community is about empowering you to live who you are. Your empowering can take many forms depending on where you are in life, what struggles you are in, and where you think you’re going. No matter where that is, we want to be a part of that journey and provide the best support possible.
The Men’s Movement Community is raising all the good examples of people doing fantastic work around issues deeply affecting boys and men, such as sexual abuse, eating, addiction, violence, grief, and relationships, among others. We have only started this work and invite any therapist, coach or instructor working with boys or men to become a member and enrich the community members lives with your work.
It is our dream that this site in a few years will become mainstream, or rather, that the content and information shared here will be common knowledge, something everybody knows. We can pretend that it is the year 2030, and what we would like to see is:
- That it is perfectly ok for any man, regardless of age to admit he seeks therapy for his depression without being heckled.
- That it is ok for a man to go down in work time when his children are young.
- That it is ok for a man to be openly homosexual in any of life’s arenas.
- That all men have basic knowledge of their medical needs and the most common symptoms relevant to them.
- That all men have the same rights as women when it comes to custody and family law.
- That boys can be affectionate and show care towards each other without this behavior is labeled as gay.
- That every man has the right to express his feelings without being ridiculed.
- That all men have the basic knowledge of which resources there is in society when it comes to mental health, organizations, help lines, friends, sponsors.
- That men, in general, feel that they do have someone to talk to about the things that matter most to them.
As we see when we read this list we have som little work to do. Welcome to join the movement, to join our force of societal progression. Help us give tools to all the beautiful men out so that they can find what is inside their hearts and so that they can start giving their gifts.
FAQ Men’s Movement Community
What is the Men’s Movement Community?
The Men’s Movement Community is an online personal development community for men. It’s a gathering place for men and the people who love and support them. We built the community around an online social network with support groups, a blog with guest authors and a course catalogue filled with courses in transformational learning and personal development. We are also creating a database of available resources for men.
What is the aim of The Men’s Movement Community?
We are a safe space for men to share our story and to get support, knowledge, and resources to get on with the journey we are on. We share around situations like; divorce, custody battles, legal struggle, struggle with mental health, a personal crisis, a career shift, midlife changes or an exploration of one’s story.
In service
David Pilbäck
Founder of the Men’s Movement community
Hearing the NFL comments behind the scenes is priceless. You can hear the amazement and testament to the professionals they were. Fans of Prince and Michael Jackson already knew their ability to command an audience. I love Coldplay, for me no need for other acts. Coldplay’s performance was spectacular, other acts disrupted my concert. I hope you enjoy the off the beaten trail picks. Thank you for stopping by today. M
