A church group in Kentucky is making headlines and sparking major online debate after it was revealed that they collectively checked out books that they deemed to be problematic, with the intent not to return them. While some Christians are calling the act fair in the name of religious beliefs, many others are simply calling it theft and have accused the church of straight-up stealing the books from the library.
The situation is happening in Shelby County, Kentucky. According to Kentucky Lantern, the church is urging its members to check out the library books with the hopes of keeping them off the shelves for good. They’re also encouraging other church groups and like-minded religious people to follow their lead.
The books they’ve chosen to “steal” have themes of homosexuality, including gay characters, historical figures, and other content pertaining to the LGBTQ+ communities.
Kentucky Church Group Steals Books From Local Library
The library’s director, Pamela Wilson Federspiel, calls the act “stealing.” Meanwhile, the Reformation Church of Shelbyville say that their plan is an “act of civil disobedience.”
“Yes — we have urged Christians, both locally and across the country, to search their libraries for books that promote sodomy, gender confusion and rebellion against God — and if found, to check them out and never return them as an act of civil disobedience,” pastors Jerry Dorris and Tanner Cartwright and Austin Keeler, an evangelist with the church mission, Reformation Frontline Missions, told the outlet.
Of course, many online have plenty to say about the issue. On Reddit, a huge debate sparked about the library/church controversy. While some praised the church group, many were furious about their actions, and didn’t have any problem sharing their opinions with the rest of the internet. Several comments also claimed that their behavior was stealing and not in line with Christian values.
“Christians in America don’t know how to read the Bible they keep throwing at minority groups,” one person stated. “Commandments only apply if you’re not a white American Christian Nationalist Fascist, so they can save you and make sure you’re not voting,” said another. “A group that does not pay taxes is stealing property paid for with tax money,” a third person wrote.
It’s clear that this is a hot-button issue, and that many believe that while the church might be standing up for what they believe in, they are taking away others’ freedoms to read about things that they believe in, and that’s not for them to decide.
