Web Filters

[Onyx]

What do you think about the censorship of alternative-religion websites in public schools and libraries, while conventional religions are deemed safe? What makes a religion safe?

 

[Twilight Hue]

What do you think about the censorship of alternative-religion websites in public schools and libraries, while conventional religions are deemed safe? What makes a religion safe?

I suppose a filter would be based off language and content. What kind of alternative religions are we talking about here?

 

[Quintessence]

I suppose a filter would be based off language and content. What kind of alternative religions are we talking about here?

It's been a problem for contemporary Pagan religions for quite some time. They get smeared as "occult" and things that are occult get blocked by some filters.

 

[Sunstone]

I have no problem with it, so long as only @Onyx's religion gets censored. I think that goes without saying. But if anyone else's religion is being censored, then it simply shouldn't be happening -- with the sole exception of religions that advocate breaking laws. I'd take them to court if it were my religion. Wait a minute! I bet they DO censor erotic dancing girls!

*is mad as hell now*

 

[Valjean]

What do you think about the censorship of alternative-religion websites in public schools and libraries, while conventional religions are deemed safe? What makes a religion safe?

Wouldn't "safe" mean unthreatening to the established order or prevailing social mores?

 

[Quintessence]

Here's an article about the censoring issue written by Jason Pitzl-Waters (founder of Wild Hunt, the main journalistic outlet for contemporary Pagan news) - http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhu...ee-exercise-aclu-vs-salem-public-library.html

 

[sun rise]

Personally promoting a specific religion or group of religions or blocking others violates the First Amendment. I'd make a "fire in a crowded theater" exception for religions that promote human sacrifice and other such practices. But I doubt that was part of the OP question.

 

[Twilight Hue]

It's been a problem for contemporary Pagan religions for quite some time. They get smeared as "occult" and things that are occult get blocked by some filters.

I never realized it was that prevalent.

 

[Quintessence]

I never realized it was that prevalent.

I don't know how prevalent it really is - I haven't seen any recent coverage of the issue and I no longer have the contacts in the public school system that I used to. Different school districts will have different policies.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Question from ignorance...
Is this targeting and blocking of specific religions, or is it automated screening based on keywords, etc?

 

[Jumi]

Libraries that don't want people to think outside the box, that's great.

 

[Onyx]

I've read that some schools and libraries use this software developed by Christians:
http://afo.net/filtering.php

Question from ignorance...
Is this targeting and blocking of specific religions, or is it automated screening based on keywords, etc?

I'm guessing a combination of blacklists and keyword lists. The problem is there isn't really any way of knowing how it works, program code can be scrambled up in all sorts of ways and could single out particular religions without requiring actual lists. I doubt it goes that far, but it's certainly possible.