Religious Book Bans: The History of Book Bans (Part 2)
For centuries, religion has been a powerful force in shaping culture and society. Unfortunately, this has also meant that certain religious groups have sought to control the ideas and beliefs of their followers through the censorship and banning of books.
This is the first of a 4-part series - find the rest here:
Religious book bans throughout history (you are here)
The history of anti-LGBTQ+ book bans (coming soon)
Modern-day book bans and what you can do about it (coming soon)
“Every burned book or house enlightens the world; every suppressed or expunged word reverberates through the earth from side to side.”
Religious Book Bans Throughout the Ages
Religion has been an extraordinarily common reason for book bans throughout history. Religious authorities often deemed certain books as heretical or blasphemous and would ban them to control the spread of ideas.
The Council of Laodicea: The first Christian book ban
In the early Christian Church, the ban on books became widespread as Church leaders sought to consolidate their power and control the information available to their followers. In the 4th century CE, the Council of Laodicea, a synod (gathering) of Christian bishops in modern-day Turkey, issued a decree that established a fixed canon of Scripture that standardized Christian beliefs and practices.
For centuries, churches actively selected what books and writings to read during church service based on their own traditions and geographical location. The decree issued by the council put a kabosh on that saying, "It is not permitted to read anything that is not included in the canon of Holy Scripture. If any have been written or are still being written, we reject them completely with disgust, as hurtful and entangling to the souls of simpler folk."
The impact of this ban was significant, as it meant that many works of literature and philosophy previously used in faith practice were no longer available to the general population. This ban helped to solidify the authority of the church and the primacy of the Bible as the ultimate source of knowledge and wisdom.
These dudes were busy, with the Council offering a number of other impactful outcomes too. They:
Chose what books of the Bible to include as Canon and which to discard - interestingly, their list of “officially” divinely inspired scripture did not include several books that are now considered part of the biblical canon, like the Book of Revelation. Revealing, indeed.
Outlawed the keeping of the Sabbath (Saturday) to advocate for rest and church-going on Sunday instead
Condemned astrology for the first time officially
Banned congregational singing, which lasted over 1,100 years until 1517 CE - one of many things which you might recall Martin Luther being upset about
Over time, the ban on non-religious texts was relaxed somewhat, and many works that had previously been banned were allowed back into circulation. However, the idea that certain books could be dangerous and should be controlled or banned has remained a powerful force in Christian history and continues to shape attitudes towards reading and censorship in the present day.
The “bonfire of vanities”: a Dominican friar’s obsession
The notorious Bonfire of the Vanities occurred in the city of Florence in the late 15th century. It was a massive burning of books, artwork and other items that were considered morally corrupt by the powerful Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola.
On February 7, 1497, Savonarola and his followers organized a massive bonfire in the Piazza della Signoria, the central square of Florence. The bonfire was fueled by a wide range of materials that were considered “sinful”, including books, artwork, clothing and cosmetics—items seen as symbols of a corrupt and decadent society.
The event was a hit, burning for hours in front of tens of thousands of people who flocked to the square. It was a symbolic moment of defiance against the ruling Medici family, who were seen as the embodiment of the decadence and corruption that Savonarola was fighting against.
Many scholars and intellectuals condemned it as an act of censorship and a violation of intellectual freedom. The burning of books and artworks was seen as a wanton destruction of culture and history, and many feared that it would set a dangerous precedent for future acts of censorship. However, Savonarola's followers defended the bonfire as a necessary act of moral purification. They argued that the items burned were not of value and that their destruction was a small price to pay for the greater good of society and in no way an act of censorship as, to them, the items burned were not legitimate works of art or literature.
Savonarola's bonfire of vanities was not just an attack on the arts, but also a demonstration of his power and influence over the people of Florence. His destructive blaze was meant to show the extreme measures he was willing to take to enforce his vision of a moral and just society.
Ultimately, this bonfire foreshadowed Savonarola's downfall. As his authoritarian regime became increasingly oppressive, the people of Florence turned against him. In 1498, he was arrested, tortured and eventually executed for heresy and sedition. How did he die? Burned alive on the cross with his own published writings in flames.
The list with a scary name: Index Librorum Prohibitorum
Throughout its long history, the Catholic Church has banned many books that challenged its beliefs. During the Protestant Reformation, these bans were formalized with the Index Librorum Prohibitorum—an official ever-growing list of books that were banned by the Catholic Church.
The earliest version of Index (in 1559) contained works by Martin Luther, John Calvin and many other Protestant authors. The final books added to the Index included works by prominent authors such as Virginia Woolf, Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre. What compelling marketing for them! It took until 1966 for the Church to stop publishing this list, although they made it clear that these books are still considered to endanger those of the Catholic faith:
"This Congregation for Doctrine of Faith (...) reaffirms that its Index retains its moral value (...) in the sense that it is appealing to the conscience of the faithful (...) to be on their guard against written materials that can put faith and good conduct in danger."
Puritanical book burning and banning
In the 17th century, the Puritans in England believed that certain books were dangerous to their faith and morality and sought to restrict access to them. One of the earliest examples of Puritan book burning occurred in 1553, when the Bishop of London ordered the burning of books deemed heretical or offensive.
During the reign of King James I, the Puritans faced increased persecution and censorship. In 1606, James I established the Star Chamber, a court that had the power to censor books and punish those who published or distributed banned material.
One of the most famous examples of Puritan book burning occurred in 1644, during the English Civil War. The Puritan-dominated Parliament ordered the destruction of all books that were considered offensive or contrary to their beliefs, including works of literature, scientific texts, and even Christmas carols. According to the Puritan leader William Prynne, such books were "popish, superstitious, prophane, notorious, scandalous, and offensive to pious ears."
In 1647, the Puritans passed an ordinance that established the Stationers' Company as the sole authority for licensing and censoring books. Under this system, publishers had to obtain a license from the Stationers' Company before they could print or sell any book.
The Puritan book bans and censorship had a significant impact on English literature and culture. Many important works of literature, including William Shakespeare's plays, were censored or banned for a time. Some authors, such as John Milton, were even imprisoned for their writings. Despite these efforts, attempts at book censorship and burning ultimately failed. The Stationers' Company was abolished in 1695, and freedom of the press was established in England.
In Conclusion
Religious book bans throughout history have demonstrated the dangers of limiting access to information and ideas. They have been used to suppress dissent and maintain power, and have resulted in the censorship and destruction of valuable cultural and intellectual treasures. In a modern, globalized world where the free flow of information and ideas is essential to progress and understanding, it is more important than ever to support the fundamental human right to access knowledge and express ideas without fear of persecution.
Keep on reading
But wait, there’s more! This is just the first of a 4-part series - here we goooo:
Religious book bans throughout history (you are here)
The history of anti-LGBTQ+ book bans (coming soon)
Modern-day book bans and what you can do about it (coming soon)
Quick Summary:
Religious book bans often result in a violation of freedom of speech and the suppression of ideas.
History has shown us that religious leaders have been known to overreach their authority and use book banning as a means of controlling society.
Banning books based on religious beliefs can be dangerous and have long-lasting negative effects on society.
Sources:
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). (2021). Book banning. Retrieved from https://www.aclu.org/issues/free-speech/book-banning
Martines, L. (2011). Fire in the City: Savonarola and the Struggle for the Soul of Renaissance Florence. Oxford University Press.
Burke, P. (2011). Popular Culture in Early Modern Europe. Ashgate Publishing.
Wittkower, R. (1980). Art and Architecture in Italy, 1600-1750. Yale University Press.
