Religious Leaflets Make Way Into 'Little Free Library'
An Oak Creek resident says doomsday-predicting pamphlets have entered into a movement to promote literacy and community.
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The "Little Free Library" movement is meant to promote literacy through a free exchange of books, but an Oak Creek resident says his is being used to spread religious-based fear.
John Nuck, who has a Little Free Library on his property in South Milwaukee, says unknown people are putting religious leaflets inside the home for books, "warning of impending doom and a one-way ticket to hell."
"This proliferation of dogma has caused concern in our little community, whose children often exchange books and confront these worrisome messages of fear," Nuck said.
Little Free Libraries have popped up throughout the country and even the world. The first one in Oak Creek was started earlier this summer on Bonita Drive.
The concept is simple: people visit a birdhouse-sized box, take a book that interests them, and replace it with another. Anyone can use them, and readers are encouraged to put their name in the book or pass on a note to the next reader.
Nuck, however, says some have taken it too far.
His Little Free Library has served as a meeting place for neighbors to exchange books and build a sense of community, he said. But now it's become a source of consternation, despite signs posted by his wife asking people to refrain from sharing religious beliefs.
"I am reaching out to the individuals that feel compelled to share their beliefs, to do so in their own homes or places of worship, and not to take advantage of our little free library as a means to proselytize people in our community," Nuck said.
Bill Smith
9:44 am on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Don't use children as a tool to crush American's right to free speech. If I find a pamphlet I don't like I just throw it out. In America we have freedom of religion and freedom of speech. I don't agree with Cubs fans but I willing to die to protect their free speech rights!What are you scared of anyway?
John Nuck
6:08 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
The little library was on private property. No one has a right to post their religious beliefs on someone else's private property against the wish of the owner. It is also unlawful to remove signs requesting that that religious pamphlets--especially the kind that promise hell and damnation--should not be shared in the little library ON PRIVATE LAND.
Kim Kostuch
9:33 am on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Let's see, I wonder if murder mysteries, witchcraft themes, adultery, and vampires are OK? Just don't go polluting our minds with anything about God, got it!
John Nuck
7:56 am on Friday, November 23, 2012
It doesn't matter that their core beliefs involve everyone who doesn't believe as they do going to hell. Proselytizing to a point is not harassment. Once it passes that point, you're harassing people. Shoving tracts under someone's door because you think they're evil isn't proselytizing, it's harassment. Not only that, it's cowardly. If you want to do missionary work, do it to people's faces. That's something I've always admired about the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons. Sure, their visits are kind of annoying but I can admire that they're out beating the streets for their beliefs. That takes gumption. Shoving a piece of paper under someone's door because you disagree with their life choices is kind of pathetic.