"The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure: a Child-lover's Code of Conduct" was available through Amazon but has just been removed from sale following a controversy which saw some consumers threatening to boycott the site.
Here's a great summary of what people are saying, from those who support free speech and who believe the book is harmless, to others who are concerned about the example Amazon is setting.
Amazon says it doesn't promote criminal acts but DOES avoid censorship.
"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." But that's not good enough for this editorial; doing business does not rid you of moral responsibility.
'That hands-off approach is generally admirable. Still, it's worth remembering that Amazon can impose any rules it chooses. It can refuse to distribute a book with instructions on how to make a bomb or assassinate an official. And it can refuse to carry a guidebook for pedophiles without damage to the 1st Amendment.' Here's a blogger who's sickened by the book but defends Amazon's right to sell it.
This article talks about some of the other books Amazon has for sale including one called I Am the Market: How to Smuggle Cocaine by the Ton, in Five Easy Lessons
Where do you draw the line - if at all? No-one forces anyone to buy a book, what's the problem? Here's one view against Amazon selling the book.
"It is ILLEGAL to molest children, and for Amazon to promote such is insane. I'm an abuse survivor, and am OUTRAGED Amazon would choose to promote this nonsense. I will not be purchasing anything from your website until this is removed" The book's gone but the anger's still flaring. A Facebook group's been launched against the author and the call to boycott Amazon continues.
Anikeade04 in Nigeria tweets:
"Never did get any sleep, too fired up about Amazon. Boycott them!" Amazinglyhealth in Ontario Canada posts:"
This is disgusting - boycott Amazon!"
So can you abhor paedophilia but still back the freedom of a company to sell the book?
Your comments
Comment sent via Facebook
18:59
113631290
Joseph in Malawi posted on Facebook - I don't see the point in fighting for a god when in actual fact he can fight his battles.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:59
113631290
Asata wrote on facebook - I think this has gone too far, people should be allow to express their views!
Comment sent via host
18:50
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We''re moving on to talk about our second subject now. Should there still be such a thing as blasphemy? What do you think?
Comment sent via Facebook
18:48
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Philmore got in touch on Facebook from New York - A child is not allowed to drink until a certain age or watch movies with heavy sexual content until a certain age.The same should be for people who are easily attracted to becoming paedophiles. We can't give you a do it your self guide.
Comment sent via Twitter
18:47
115085731
@成人快手_WHYS Aristotle said it's possible to entertain an idea without accepting it. Censorship denies the public the chance to educate the ...
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:46
113631290
John in Lake Oswego emailed - I was molested at the age of 12 (by a cop, no less), but as offended as I am by the idea of this book I'm even more offended by the idea of banning it. If freedom of speech does not include allowing people to write things you don't want written then it has no meaning.
Comment sent via host
18:41
113631290
Currently listening to ''Marcus'' in Belgium talk about having feelings of paedophilia. He called us up to share his story with us.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:35
113631290
Peter emails World Have Your Say - The freedom of speech argument drives me crazy. Amazon taking this book out of circulation is NOT infringing on his freedom of speech at all! He is free to sell this on the street, on his own website or wherever will have him.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:34
113631290
Carruthers in Ghana posts on Facebook - Amazon should know better, they have no justification for listing such a book on their page. This is unacceptable under any circumstances.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:22
113631290
David in lakewood, ohio emails - The very idea of pedophilia turns my stomach. Having said that, this example of censorship also turns my stomach. What next? Do we ban The Silence of the Lambs because it promotes serial murder? Free speech is a door that swings both ways, and you're not always going to like what's on the other side.
Comment sent via SMS
18:20
110064994
Nearly all James Hadley Chase鈥檚 novels are about crime & criminals. They didn鈥檛 turn me to crime & being a criminal. -B.M. in Minna, NIGERIA.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:18
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Michael in San Francisco Listening on KALW emails - I think there should be some consideration to the idea that this was a publicity stunt on the part of Amazon. They have certainly managed to keep themselves in the news over this.
Comment sent via Twitter
18:16
115357380
- yes, the book is tasteless, but no laws were broken
Comment sent via Facebook
18:16
113631290
Hillary from Nairobi has mesaged us on Facebook While I absolutely support the freedom of speech and expression, selling the book will in itself imply promotion of its content. Morality is a combination of so many factors some of which are as a result of reading or watching. Paedophilia is offensive.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:16
113631290
Audrey posted on Facebook This does not fall under the category 'freedom of speech'. It falls under the category 'freedom to abuse'.Do we even need a discussion on this type of abuse of children? The book itself is abuse.There comes a point when we have to stand up and be counted as being firmly in the corner of the children.
Comment sent via Feed
18:15
113631290
DB posts on the Mom Mania blog To say that you will boycott Amazon for allowing someone to practice their right to free speech is to take a very cautious step on a very slippery slope. The most effective form of censorship is to simply not buy the damn thing
Comment sent via Facebook
18:11
113631290
Charles from Kenya got in touch on Facebook - It is not advisable for somebody to recognise the blasphemous statement apart from GOD HIMSELF! The believers are children of God and I don't think I have authority to punish my brother or sister if they wrong my mum or dad. So why kill in the name of blasphemy?
Comment sent via SMS
18:05
108486501
No, simple really, its a crime, guidebooks to crime against children. The only justification it鈥檒l make money but that mustn鈥檛 be mentioned. Money or children you choose, i have if amazon sells it i go elsewhere, easy really. Simon Florence Italy. Call etc
Comment sent via SMS
18:07
112978483
How much was the book sold for on the website & what was the response by way of copies sold? That should tell us something... Yakubu from Kaduna, Nigeria.
Comment sent via Facebook
17:56
113631290
Michael on our facebook page says All companies have the right to take a stand on what they will or will not sell, and it would have been far better for Amazon to refuse its sale and promotion, telling customers that they are refusing to carry it due to the high likelihood of this writing causing actual damage to innocent children.
Comment sent via Feed
17:55
113631290
JATL posts on the Mom Mania blog - I'm all for the First Amendment and hate censorship, but a functioning society has to use some sense. Would they be okay selling a guide to lynching? How about a guide to bullying someone into suicide? Guides for step-by-step rape and torture? Seriously, all it takes is a simple statement by Amazon that they will not sell any content that's primary reason for existence is the way to go about illegal activity.
Comment sent via Feed
17:54
113631290
Eligius in Sydney on NewsAustralia says It sounds repulsive, but books shouldn't be removed from sale because they "offend" somebody. I wouldn't stand for somebody demanding a book critical of Israel being removed because they found it offensive to Zionists.
Comment sent via Feed
17:56
113631290
Mondster tweets I wonder how much business Amazon will lose because of this?
Comment sent via Facebook
17:55
113631290
Maxine in Tennessee posted on our facebook page There is no doubt that paedophilia is disturbing and illegal. But that book could contain clues to understanding the paedophile mind, helping us to prevent their acts. We can better protect our children if we understand the enemy.
Comment sent via host
17:51
113631290
On Air now discussing whether Amazon should have stopped selling Philip R Greaves II book on paedophilia, what do you think?
Should Amazon sell this book?
| Friday, 11 Nov. 2010 | 17:50 - 19:00 GMT
"The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure: a Child-lover's Code of Conduct" was available through Amazon but has just been removed from sale following a controversy which saw some consumers threatening to boycott the site.
Here's a great summary of what people are saying, from those who support free speech and who believe the book is harmless, to others who are concerned about the example Amazon is setting.
Amazon says it doesn't promote criminal acts but DOES avoid censorship.
"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."
But that's not good enough for this editorial; doing business does not rid you of moral responsibility.
'That hands-off approach is generally admirable. Still, it's worth remembering that Amazon can impose any rules it chooses. It can refuse to distribute a book with instructions on how to make a bomb or assassinate an official. And it can refuse to carry a guidebook for pedophiles without damage to the 1st Amendment.'
Here's a blogger who's sickened by the book but defends Amazon's right to sell it.
This article talks about some of the other books Amazon has for sale including one called I Am the Market: How to Smuggle Cocaine by the Ton, in Five Easy Lessons
Where do you draw the line - if at all? No-one forces anyone to buy a book, what's the problem? Here's one view against Amazon selling the book.
"It is ILLEGAL to molest children, and for Amazon to promote such is insane. I'm an abuse survivor, and am OUTRAGED Amazon would choose to promote this nonsense. I will not be purchasing anything from your website until this is removed"
The book's gone but the anger's still flaring. A Facebook group's been launched against the author and the call to boycott Amazon continues.
Anikeade04 in Nigeria tweets:
"Never did get any sleep, too fired up about Amazon. Boycott them!"
Amazinglyhealth in Ontario Canada posts:"
This is disgusting - boycott Amazon!"
So can you abhor paedophilia but still back the freedom of a company to sell the book?
Your comments
Comment sent via Facebook
Joseph in Malawi posted on Facebook - I don't see the point in fighting for a god when in actual fact he can fight his battles.
Comment sent via Facebook
Asata wrote on facebook - I think this has gone too far, people should be allow to express their views!
Comment sent via host
We''re moving on to talk about our second subject now. Should there still be such a thing as blasphemy? What do you think?
Comment sent via Facebook
Philmore got in touch on Facebook from New York - A child is not allowed to drink until a certain age or watch movies with heavy sexual content until a certain age.The same should be for people who are easily attracted to becoming paedophiles. We can't give you a do it your self guide.
Comment sent via Twitter
@成人快手_WHYS Aristotle said it's possible to entertain an idea without accepting it. Censorship denies the public the chance to educate the ...
Comment sent via YOURSAY
John in Lake Oswego emailed - I was molested at the age of 12 (by a cop, no less), but as offended as I am by the idea of this book I'm even more offended by the idea of banning it. If freedom of speech does not include allowing people to write things you don't want written then it has no meaning.
Comment sent via host
Currently listening to ''Marcus'' in Belgium talk about having feelings of paedophilia. He called us up to share his story with us.
Comment sent via Facebook
Peter emails World Have Your Say - The freedom of speech argument drives me crazy. Amazon taking this book out of circulation is NOT infringing on his freedom of speech at all! He is free to sell this on the street, on his own website or wherever will have him.
Comment sent via Facebook
Carruthers in Ghana posts on Facebook - Amazon should know better, they have no justification for listing such a book on their page. This is unacceptable under any circumstances.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
David in lakewood, ohio emails - The very idea of pedophilia turns my stomach. Having said that, this example of censorship also turns my stomach. What next? Do we ban The Silence of the Lambs because it promotes serial murder? Free speech is a door that swings both ways, and you're not always going to like what's on the other side.
Comment sent via SMS
Nearly all James Hadley Chase鈥檚 novels are about crime & criminals. They didn鈥檛 turn me to crime & being a criminal. -B.M. in Minna, NIGERIA.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Michael in San Francisco Listening on KALW emails - I think there should be some consideration to the idea that this was a publicity stunt on the part of Amazon. They have certainly managed to keep themselves in the news over this.
Comment sent via Twitter
- yes, the book is tasteless, but no laws were broken
Comment sent via Facebook
Hillary from Nairobi has mesaged us on Facebook While I absolutely support the freedom of speech and expression, selling the book will in itself imply promotion of its content. Morality is a combination of so many factors some of which are as a result of reading or watching. Paedophilia is offensive.
Comment sent via Facebook
Audrey posted on Facebook This does not fall under the category 'freedom of speech'. It falls under the category 'freedom to abuse'.Do we even need a discussion on this type of abuse of children? The book itself is abuse.There comes a point when we have to stand up and be counted as being firmly in the corner of the children.
Comment sent via Feed
DB posts on the Mom Mania blog To say that you will boycott Amazon for allowing someone to practice their right to free speech is to take a very cautious step on a very slippery slope. The most effective form of censorship is to simply not buy the damn thing
Comment sent via Facebook
Charles from Kenya got in touch on Facebook - It is not advisable for somebody to recognise the blasphemous statement apart from GOD HIMSELF! The believers are children of God and I don't think I have authority to punish my brother or sister if they wrong my mum or dad. So why kill in the name of blasphemy?
Comment sent via SMS
No, simple really, its a crime, guidebooks to crime against children. The only justification it鈥檒l make money but that mustn鈥檛 be mentioned. Money or children you choose, i have if amazon sells it i go elsewhere, easy really. Simon Florence Italy. Call etc
Comment sent via SMS
How much was the book sold for on the website & what was the response by way of copies sold? That should tell us something... Yakubu from Kaduna, Nigeria.
Comment sent via Facebook
Michael on our facebook page says All companies have the right to take a stand on what they will or will not sell, and it would have been far better for Amazon to refuse its sale and promotion, telling customers that they are refusing to carry it due to the high likelihood of this writing causing actual damage to innocent children.
Comment sent via Feed
JATL posts on the Mom Mania blog - I'm all for the First Amendment and hate censorship, but a functioning society has to use some sense. Would they be okay selling a guide to lynching? How about a guide to bullying someone into suicide? Guides for step-by-step rape and torture? Seriously, all it takes is a simple statement by Amazon that they will not sell any content that's primary reason for existence is the way to go about illegal activity.
Comment sent via Feed
Eligius in Sydney on NewsAustralia says It sounds repulsive, but books shouldn't be removed from sale because they "offend" somebody. I wouldn't stand for somebody demanding a book critical of Israel being removed because they found it offensive to Zionists.
Comment sent via Feed
Mondster tweets I wonder how much business Amazon will lose because of this?
Comment sent via Facebook
Maxine in Tennessee posted on our facebook page There is no doubt that paedophilia is disturbing and illegal. But that book could contain clues to understanding the paedophile mind, helping us to prevent their acts. We can better protect our children if we understand the enemy.
Comment sent via host
On Air now discussing whether Amazon should have stopped selling Philip R Greaves II book on paedophilia, what do you think?