Dear editor,
RE: Reader disgusted with CLT’s choice of play (Greta Jansen Letter to the Editor, Feb. 18)
Ms. Jansen has fallen for the logical fallacy of the censor: that because a work of fiction contains an idea it must also be promoting that idea.
Carried to extremes in various locations, this premise has resulted in the banning of several classic children’s books. These include Where The Wild Things Are (promoting naughty behaviour, witchcraft, and supernatural events), Winnie The Pooh and Charlotte’s Web (promoting disrespect for God with talking animals), Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland (promoting drug use), and The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz (depicting women in strong leadership roles).
The offending dialogue quoted by Ms. Jansen was spoken by actor Humphrey Bogart (the role model of the Woody Allen character) in the classic movie Casablanca. Presumably Ms. Jansen and her group would also like to see this movie banned.
I respectfully suggest that the members of this group study the Book of Leviticus in the Holy Bible - particularly the punishments for committing adultery and the rules for keeping slaves. To maintain a consistent position on violence against women, they would have to advocate for a ban of the Holy Bible.
Bill McLeod
Comox