(GayWebSource.com – Gay Media & Press Network) – Posted by iconempirepress
Gay book banned by Verlag Weltbild (Germany)
(GayWebSource.com) Vancouver, BC – June 27, 2013 -The decision by German bookseller “Weltbild” to discontinue offering all titles by Icon Empire Press, a small Vancouver based gay publishing house, has sent shockwaves around the global publishing industry.
Weltbild made the decision after reviewing the German titles of author Robert Joseph Greene. Greene has been publicly silent on the issue but Icon Empire Press called the decision “hypocricy” citing that Weltbild sells many pornographic and erotic titles.
Icon Empire Press has been deluged with over 600 messages of support. However, amid the myriad of phone calls and emails, Icon Empire Press also received an anonymous phone call from man who claims to know that the Catholic Church was monitoring anti-Catholic activity. The man cited references to Greene’s latest book: The Forbidden Scroll (ISBN 978-1-927124-29-1), which includes a debate about whether heterosexual or homosexual love is better and statements with regard to Greek philosophers (which the caller said undermines “family values”).
“I don’t think I like the fact that the NSA and the Catholic Church is monitoring me,” jokes Greene “I wonder if they compare notes.”
The original “Forbidden Scroll” is a work entitled “Amores” by Lucian of Samosata, which was written over 1800 years ago. “Amores” (which is included in Greene’s book as a notation) was deemed forbidden by Pope Paul IV in 1559. The work was added to the Index of Forbidden Text, which is a list of all books that are forbidden to Christians from reading. Whereas most languages have a public translation of “Amores”, Germany, mysteriously, has no public translation of the ancient work.
The caller claims that the Catholic Church felt the author went “too far” in an article citing most ancient Greek philosophers felt that limiting men to only heterosexuality bred mistrust among them. This mistrust allowed governments and religions the ability to better control men.
“My statement is not a new claim,” says Greene, “I am only reiterating what has been cited by numerous professors who researched ancient Greek philosophy.”
There is little recourse in this matter. However, Icon Empire Press plans on sending a formal letter of complaint to the German Embassy in Ottawa. They have also asked the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to look into the matter.
Icon Empire Press is a publisher of gay literary works that seeks to fulfill a deeper understanding of the human spirit.
For More Information:
Icon Empire Press
Robert Christofle
Media@gaybooks.info
604-602-1900
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