A few weeks ago there was huge upset around the Internet. The blogs were blowing up, facebook was exploding and Twitter was on overload. Seems that Amazon had an extremely offensive and down right horrifying book on the site, “The Pedophile’s Guide to Love and Pleasure: a Child-lover’s Code of Conduct," by Philip R. Greaves II. Just the name alone disgusts me!
Threats of boycotts and closing accounts didn’t move Amazon to change and then the national news caught wind of the story. Amazon knew it was time to cut their losses. The book was removed. I was thrilled and I wasn’t alone.
As I watched the celebratory posts, comments and tweets I thought about what was accomplished. A horrific book was gone. The outcry of the masses grabbed attention. The Internet screamed, banged the cyber walls, and stomped across the web. And we got what we wanted. We won…. right?
I thought about how outraged so many were at such a horrible book, but are we equally as outraged at the horrific child abuse that is happening in our country? Are we as horrified that 500,000 children are in foster care?
Are we appalled that over 17 million Americans live with the REAL threat of going hungry?
Are we shocked that an average of 3 women a DAY are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends?
I consider all that is happening around us and wonder why am I not outraged about this?
Why am I more upset about a horrible book than I am about the 2500 children murdered by parents or guardians?
I’m willing to invest some time in yelling at Amazon, but am I willing to do more? Go deeper? Advocate for those in need?
Am I willing to help the addict without judging?
Am I willing to get my hands dirty to make a difference?
What about you? Are you willing to do more?
Yes, Mary. Yes.
. . . be the church . . . ?