We hold to this standard, of course, for we
Believe that to separate church from state
Preserves the American way so great,
Establishing freedom and liberty.
We naturally trust all our children: they
Are godly and pure, and will grow up right --
For we ensure no one their minds will blight:
We monitor books so they'll be okay!
Of learning, a little a long way goes.
It follows they ought not to get too much.
They mustn't inquire about sex, and such,
Or question God's role in how life arose.
A book that casts doubt on the Bible's out.
All texts on abortion they must not read,
Or anything that is against our creed
-- Which doesn't leave many for us to tout.
But no one must deviate from our way,
So books contradicting it we discard:
Let all that might teach folks to think be barred!
A book is a good thing to burn, we say!
[Author's note: the views expressed in this poem are not those of the author. The intent of the poem was satiric. It may (and should) be redundant to emphasize the point. However, the then-editor of SUL News Notes apparently missed it, deeming it necessary to apologize for the poem's content at the time of original publication. In light of that, this statement may not be entirely inappropriate.]
Originally published in SUL News Notes, September 25, 1992.
c 1992, 1995 Fleabonnet Press for the author.