The Amazing Grace Baptist Church in Asheville, North Carolina will be spending this Halloween burning books and music its deemed Satan’s work – including all non-King James versions of the Bible. Attendees will enjoy barbeque chicken and all the sides while they burn works written by the Pope and Mother Teresa among others. Pastor Marc Grizzard says there is a spiritual basis for book burnings.
Book burnings are, at least in this writer’s opinion, truly emblematic of oppression. The church’s call to purge materials brings up to mind some pretty disturbing moments in history, including recollections of Nazi burning and, more recently, the destruction of the Sarajevo National Library. If you ask me, there are a million and one better ways to spend Halloween – including celebrating the right to read by checking out spooky stories from the local library.
It is not clear where the church acquired the books it intends to burn.