Recently, a national library user spotted three books that support homosexuality in the children books section and reported it to the library. The library later removed these titles. Not everyone, however agrees. Some prominent authors chose to protest by boycotting some events of the library. Why did these people protest? Several people felt that no one should stop anyone from acquiring knowledge. Is the national library’s decision a reasonable one? I think it is for a two-fold reason.

First, that there is such a thing as harmful knowledge. Everyone acknowledges that we are shaped as a person by what we hear, see and read. That’s why all civic minded people will not approve of books that advocate terrorism. Books that advocate homosexuality are undesirable as it contradicts the essence of Singapore’s law (section 377A). Second, children often do not have the ability to differentiate right from wrong. Thus, the library has a responsibility to ensure that books in the children section do not contain undesirable content.

But children are not the only people who can be hurt by undesirable content. Adults are just as vulnerable, if not more vulnerable—adults protect children, but who will protect adults? We need to protect ourselves against harmful ideas because they affect our inmost being—our minds, and dictate how we think, talk and do things, including how we raise children, work, relate to people, etc.

We thank and praise the Lord: we have the infallible and inerrant Word of God, the Bible to guide us into everything that is really good

All Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16-17)

Furthermore, God has given to the church people who can equip us to face the onslaught of erroneous and harmful ideas. He gave us

prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. (Eph 4:11-14)

If you want to be able to tell right from wrong, healthy from harmful, do three things. First, read your bible. Read through the whole bible. Second, be attentive when God’s Word is preached on Sundays. You must seek to understand a little more about the passage that is being preached. Third, attend Adult Sunday School where you learn to interpret God’s Word. Ask questions when you do not understand. Also, read good Christian literature. But do note: the first priority must be reading your Bible. Then find time to read good Christian literature. In this way, you and your family will live in truth and in safety.