Reply #207: This atheist weighs in

[lapislzi]

Back in the bad old days, this atheist used to carry around copies of The Communist Manifesto and Mao's Red Book. Prominently. My mother, knowing me to be an agent provocateur, said nothing. Other kids asked me about it. I would explain that I was studying alternative political and economic systems, and I was pretty much left alone as the Weird Kid. However, my (great!) AP History teacher took them to the front of the class and started a serious discussion about them. It turned into a month-long unit, and I suspect my privileged friends all learned a thing or two. Did I change any minds? Probably not, but that teacher rocked. Sadly, that old pinko probably wouldn't be hired today.

Let's talk about books AS BOOKS. They are neutral objects. It's the meaning we invest in them that creates the controversy.