As stated in the Constitution, American citizens are guaranteed the freedom of speech. Shouldn’t authors be able to write what they wish, as long as it is not giving false information?
I believe so. As long as the book is not giving false information that is portrayed as true, then there is nothing wrong with what authors are writing.
Writing is a form of expression, and freedom of expression is a right guaranteed by the First Amendment and falls under the freedom of speech.
On the flip side, does certain writing violate a person’s freedom of religion?
Certain popular books such as “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” by J.K. Rowling and many more are said to do so.
However, people do not need to read books that contradict their religion, but in a school setting, if a book or set of stories, such a Greek Mythology, is being forced on them as a religion, then it would it violate someone’s freedom. If it is being taught as pure fiction, then there is no issue.
English teacher Clinton Ambs believes that people don’t have to read a book if it offends them, but they don’t have the authority to stop others from reading the book.
“To paraphrase one of my literary heroes, Edward Albee, the only thing more dangerous than government-sanctioned censorship is censorship we impose upon ourselves,” Ambs said. “I believe deeply in the power of the First Amendment. To that end, if a piece of literature offends somebody on moral grounds, that person reserves the right to stop reading it; however, that person does not have the moral authority to prevent someone else from enjoying the same piece of literature.”
Banning books violates the First Amendment. People have the right to choose what they wish to read, but censoring an author is violating the author’s First Amendment right.