Jake Barlow

I'm making the switch away from Shelfari and to Good Reads, after Shelfari decided to ban some members from my "Atheists on Shelfari" group because some Mormon members who had asserted themselves into a discussion between group members apparently had their feelings hurt and complained to Shelfari, resulting in the banning of two of my group members.

If a person of religious faith enters into a discussion between non-believers, then obviously that religious person is looking for a fight. But to then go whine and complain to the host that someone from that group hurt your feelings, is absolutely pathetic.

Shelfari has completely overreacted, especially in choosing sides in this dispute. Fairness would dictate that if any member was to be banned, it would be all of the members in the discussion. But banning only certain members from exercising their rights to free speech because the feelings of another group were hurt is morally shameful. Indeed, that a site based on the open exchange of ideas and readers' opinions about the books they read, and the subject matter contained within these books would suppress the free speech of its members is astonishing. The irony is breathtaking.

I want nothing to do with any service or organization that engages in censorship.