Bible Stories For Big Kids
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CHRISTIAN MEDIA RELEASE

3/23/2015

1 Comment

 
 

 

 
 Never Judge a Book By Its Cover
 

The cover illustration of contemporary book aimed at teens and adults written by Queensland author Karina Shim was recently branded as “offensive” by chaplains of Queensland Correctional Centres, and deemed “inappropriate” for distribution within Queensland jails.

The illustration by world-renowned artist Istvan Banyai depicts a modern day interpretation of David and Goliath, and is representative of the book which presents the stories of the Old Testament in a contemporary fashion.   

In an effort to share her book with prisoners, Karina Shim had contacted chaplains at each of the Queensland Correctional Centres.   A reply letter dated 26 February 2015 from one of the chaplains stated that,

“At one of the prisons I attend this letter was opened by an officer for security reasons. He was not taken with the bookmark depicting the cover of your book in light of the situation with Isil etc and the recent gunning down and beheadings. I understand the analogy but the officer was quite offended. It was brought up at our meeting yesterday and all the chaplains agreed that the cover would be inappropriate on a book that was in the centre. For your info all religious material must be approved by The State Chaplaincy Board not individual prison chaplains.”

Karina Shim’s thoughts on the chaplains’ response to her book were,

 “Never judge a book by its cover seems to be forgotten in this era of political correctness and preciousness.  I have self-published Bible Stories For Big Kids which is the Old Testament of the Bible written as a story in a contemporary and sometimes humorous style for teens and adults, and it has been well received by those who would not normally read the Bible.”

“The illustration on the cover of the book is a cartoon of David and Goliath and was drawn by international illustrator Istvan Banyai well before ISIL was even heard of.  Goliath is depicted as a person in army combat uniform, not a hooded ISIL fighter.”

“I feel the attitude of the prison officer is reflective of what is becoming Australian society’s heightened sensitivity about religion, and the response from the prison chaplains is frankly, pathetic. Rather than taking this as a great opportunity for a conversation-starter to explain the Bible’s relevance in the modern world and in particular to their clients, these chaplains have chosen to retreat back to the confines of a safe but uninspiring place away from the scrutiny of the society to which they belong.  As we read of the continued persecutions of Christians, in love, we must continue to portray the truth, not run away from it.  If we don’t take a stance for what we believe in, others will think that we stand for nothing.”

“Furthermore, I read of illicit drugs and syringes entering jails (Courier Mail 21/3/15), yet this book is not allowed because of its cover.  That is ludicrous.”

 

 

  
 
 

1 Comment

THIS IS  NOT A LAUGHING MATTER

3/6/2015

2 Comments

 
 

This isn’t a laughing matter but when I read Luke 6:6-11 my first reaction was to burst out laughing and then all I wanted to do was gnash my teeth in frustration, for nothing has changed in 2000 years. Luke tells the story of Jesus healing a man with a withered hand – nothing wrong with that, but wait, the Pharisees are there watching because it is the Sabbath and healing a sick person on a Sabbath is regarded as work and as the Law comes before anything else according to the Pharisees, a sick person should not be healed on the Sabbath. Therefore, Jesus has broken the law. Of course, Jesus had a totally different approach to observing the Sabbath but the Pharisees did not want to know anything about that.

This so reminded me of today’s political correctness, preciousness, bureaucracy gone mad or whatever phrase best describes this type of attitude. I really am fed up with hearing why things cannot be done, instead of the positive approach of ‘let’s give it a try’. Jesus was so kind and loving yet he had to constantly stand up to this antagonistic attitude which followed him wherever he went. Just check out his teaching and miracles in the Gospels. It cost him his life in the end, but at no stage did he give in. Even at his ‘trial’, he was quietly directing proceedings, infuriating those who were desperately trying to take control of the agenda.

I recently posted a letter containing bookmarks promoting ‘Bible Stories For Big Kids’ to the chaplains of Queensland’s Correctional Centres and this is the reply I received from one chaplain.

“Hi Karina
I am a prison chaplain at two prisons and received your letter and bookmarks. At one of the prisons I attend this letter was opened by an officer for security reasons. He was not taken with the bookmark depicting the cover of your book in light of the situation with Isil etc and the recent gunning down and beheadings. I understand the analogy but the officer was quite offended. It was brought up at our meeting yesterday and all the chaplains agreed that the cover would be inappropriate on a book that was in the centre. For your info all religious material must be approved by The State Chaplaincy Board not individual prison chaplains.
Regards.....”


When I read that I was initially stunned as the cartoon depicts a small child with a slingshot and Goliath in army camouflage  which looks nothing like a hooded ISIL fighter. The fact that the officer misinterpreted the cartoon surely should have been a positive opportunity for the chaplains yet they have chosen to find the book inappropriate, all because of the cover. What ever happened to ‘never judge a book by its cover’?

I am not sure at this stage how I will proceed, but as this attitude in Australia concerns me greatly, I will endeavour to make people aware of where our thinking is taking us. 

 And that brings me back to the Pharisees and their politically correct /precious attitude. This did not stop Jesus from carrying out his mission of  showing and teaching people how much God loved them – what a contrast to the ‘obey the Law or else’ message of the Pharisees.

We need to be aware of the importance of not altering the    Gospel message to suit the current thought trends, but in love, continue to proclaim the Good News.

2 Comments

    I have always loved telling Bible stories, especially those from the Old Testament. For the past 25 years I have been teaching Religious Education in the local State School.  Each time I revisit these stories, I still find there's something more for me to learn. That's what I find so refreshing about the bible. 

    Karina Shim, Author
    Bible Stories For Big Kids

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