The Sacredness of Words

As I have mentioned in this blog before, I think that words are powerful; that the alphabet in every language is sacred. And if the letters themselves are sacred therefore we can conclude that what they make up (i.e. words) are also sacred.

I've been reading a book called "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. It's a very good book set in the time of Nazi rule over Germany. Of course, as expected in a book narrated by 'Death' and set in this time, there will be a lot of death and include mentions to the prejudices against Jews and the like however, there is one scene that really upsets me. It's when the Nazis gather up all books that mention Jewish people... and burn them. Why would you do that??? Why would you burn a book???

I don't care what the book is about, you shouldn't burn them at all, under any circumstance. I mean, really? What good does it do? Think of how long it took each author to write that book, to craft their chosen language into a certain way. Then think of the amount of people who have to have read it and liked it in order for it to be published. You might not agree with what the book talks about, but that doesn't mean that, to someone, it is not sacred.  Whether it be The Bible, Harry Potter, The Mr. Men and Little Miss books, Thomas the Tank Engine, The Oxford English Dictionary... even Twilight, those words mean something to someone and you should respect that.

End of the day, what does burning a book achieve? We have the invention of the printing press and, later on, the internet which make these sacred words indestructible.  It's like all those women who would burn their bras when the protested for equality. After the adrenaline of the symbolic moment is over, all you're left with is a pile of ashes and unsupported boobs...

And on that note, I must leave to burn "The Book Thief"...

Stay Strong
Michael