Is the Bible Indictable? / Being an Enquiry whether the Bible Comes within the Ruling of the Lord Chief Justice as to Obscene Literature

Name: Is the Bible Indictable? / Being an Enquiry whether the Bible Comes within the Ruling of the Lord Chief Justice as to Obscene Literature
Author: Annie Besant

By Annie Besant

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About This Book

An essay interrogates a legal ruling that expands obscenity to include works conveying physiological or sexual information when such material might excite prurient readers. It contends that the law shifts culpability from purchaser to seller, privileges expensive publications while condemning affordable ones, and thereby enforces a class-based censorship. By examining medical manuals, popular pamphlets, and canonical literature, the piece warns that the ruling could render many educational texts and celebrated works liable to suppression. The author urges clearer standards to protect access to knowledge and to prevent arbitrary judicial limitation of speech and art.

About the Author

Annie Besant

Annie Besant (1847-1933) was a prominent British social reformer, theosophist, and advocate for women's rights. She played a significant role in the Theosophical Society, promoting spiritual and philosophical ideas that sought to bridge Eastern and Western thought. Besant authored numerous works, including 'An Introduction to Yoga,' where she explored the spiritual practices of yoga, and 'Annie Besant: An Autobiography,' which details her journey through activism and personal transformation. Her writings often addressed themes of religion, morality, and social justice, reflecting her commitment to reform and enlightenment. Besant's legacy continues to influence discussions on spirituality and social issues.