A firestorm of outrage against Amazon

By: American Decency Staff

This week news reports broke the story that Amazon.com is selling an e-book advocating pedophilia, “The Pedophile’s Guide to Love and Pleasure.â€Â As the news spread, so has the outrage – provoking anger and criticism in a firestorm across the Internet in just the last couple of days.  From Twitter to Facebook, there is great evidence that righteous indignation is not yet dead in America.  Amazon’s own site has received thousands of angry responses with comments such as “horrifying,â€Â “disgusting,â€Â “lost my businessâ€Â while a Facebook page has been created encouraging a boycott of Amazon as the Christmas shopping season approaches. As of yesterday, Amazon was still defending their decision to sell this reprehensible book, stating:   "Amazon believes it is censorship not to sell certain books simply because we or others believe their message is objectionable.  Amazon does not support or promote hatred or criminal acts, however, we do support the right of every individual to make their own purchasing decisions." Amazon’s so-called rationale for selling this book is a joke!  However, there is nothing funny about the subject.  Amazon believes it’s “censorshipâ€Â not to sell certain books??  Give me a break!  Since when is a book store required to sell every book available?  Even public libraries pick and choose which books they want on their shelves.  Perhaps Amazon, a company in the business of selling books, should look up the definition of censorship.  Censorship is a government authority limiting access to certain material; it does not apply to a free-market business choosing which products to offer to their customers and which ones not to sell.   Having a “rightâ€Â to do something doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. Amazon goes on to hypocritically state they “don’t support or promote hatred or criminal acts…â€ÂÂ  Excuse me, Amazon, but that is exactly what you are doing by offering a book that promotes and encourages the sexual abuse of children! As of today Amazon has not retracted this statement, however it appears they may be hearing the outrage of consumers as the book is no longer listed on Amazon’s website.  No word on if it is officially pulled or if Amazon will be changing their policy. Frankly, it seems unlikely that Amazon will change its ways as the retailer has a history of selling material that encourages reprehensible, criminal acts – including rape and sexual abuse of children.   Amazon has thumbed its nose at critics in the past when it was brought to light that they carried materials from NAMBLA (North American Man Boy Love Association) – an organization promoting sex between adults and children. Fox News reports: “This isn't the first time Amazon has sold material that promotes illegal activity. It is currently accepting pre-orders for the hardcover version of "I Am the Market: How to Smuggle Cocaine by the Ton, in Five Easy Lessons" by Luca Rastello. “Nor is it the first time Amazon has come under attack for selling objectionable content in its store. In 2002, the United States Justice Foundation, a conservative group, threatened to sue Amazon for selling "Understanding Loved Boys and Boylovers." That title is still available through Amazon. “In 2009, Amazon stopped selling "RapeLay," a first-person video game in which the protagonist stalks and then rapes a mother and her daughters, after it was widely condemned in the media and by various interest groups.â€Â http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/11/11/amazon-pulls-pedophile-guide-amid-outrage/ We at ADA have long held the position that boycotting is a matter of Christian stewardship.  Should we use the money God has entrusted to us to support a corporation that so blatantly encourages such offenses to God’s law, as well as man’s?   It certainly seems clear that unless their position changes, Amazon is not worthy of our business. Take Action! Let Amazon know that you will not support a company that provides and defends material that encourages the abuse of children.  Click on the following link to contact Amazon, or use the information below to personally express your concern. Click here to send an email to Amazon:  https://americandecency.org/take_action_form.php?msg_id=70 Amazon.com, Inc. Jeffrey Bezos – Chairman, President, and CEO 1200 12th Ave South  Ste. 1200 Seattle WA  98144 Phone:  206-266-1000 Amazon.com Public Relations Media Line: 206-266-7180 Email:  Amazon-pr@amazon.com ======================================================= A classic resource available as short supply lasts: “The Holiness of Godâ€Â by R.C. Sproul. To order your free copy, email bjohnson@americandecency.org Many of you took advantage of our offer regarding the book “The Pursuit of Holinessâ€Â by Jerry Bridges. This is what Jerry Bridges has to say about this book offer “Every Christian who is serious about his or her growth needs to read ‘The Holiness of God.’ I profited greatly from this book.â€Â ======================================================= American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 ph: 231-924-4050 https://americandecency.org/ http://www.twitter.com/billwjohnson ———————— Donate online: https://secure4.afo.net/ada/donate.php American Decency Association is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

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