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Waterstone's should not have been shouted down by Christian Voice | Books | guardian.co.uk

News Type: Opinion — Seeded on Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:34 PM EST
Read ArticleArticle Source: Guardian Unlimited
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Seeded by hircus
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By their very nature, you would think, booksellers are defenders of free speech. Even chain booksellers. In the case of Waterstone's, however, it appears not. To invite poet Patrick Jones to sign copies of his new book, Darkness Is Where the Stars Are – sign copies, mark you, not even read from it – and then to cancel the invitation because of a campaign by Christian Voice is the most craven kind of self-censorship.

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{"commentId":4089835,"authorDomain":"hircus"}
hircus

From the linked BBC article:

The national director of Christian Voice, Stephen Green, said the decision was a triumph "for the Lord, not for us".

"The Lord had not even showed me what we should do at Waterstone's, only that it should be Christlike.

"Just the knowledge that we were on our way has put the fear of God into the opposition."

The irony of tolerant multi-culturalism: that nutcases like this, who think God speaks to them, can get their way. Whereas too many secularists are too politically correct to assert themselves.

{"commentId":4089835,"threadId":"420982","contentId":"2118457","authorDomain":"hircus"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#1 - Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:38 PM EST
{"commentId":4092422,"authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}
dungbeetlemania

I no longer live in the UK, but when I next visit I shall be sure to spend zero money at Waterstones.  They're a pretty crappy shop anyway ;)

{"commentId":4092422,"threadId":"420982","contentId":"2118457","authorDomain":"dungbeetlemania"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#2 - Mon Nov 17, 2008 2:18 AM EST
{"commentId":4103257,"authorDomain":"hircus"}
hircus

I owe to them my introduction to Solzhenitsyn, and they're one of the first to support the new ePub e-book format (though their website interface is atrocious), but yes, running away in the face of a Pat Robertson-wannabe is a disgrace.

{"commentId":4103257,"threadId":"420982","contentId":"2118457","authorDomain":"hircus"}
  • 1 vote
#2.1 - Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:13 PM EST
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