Two years ago in Texas, a religious zealot tried to get Ray Bradbury‘s Fahernheit 451 banned from the school, stating that it’s bad for Christians because they burn the Bible. Many students, however, banded together in support of the book, stating that it’s one of the most enjoyable books they’ve ever read.

Diana Verm complained that she didn’t like the cussing and the burning of the Bible, though she also admits that she only read a couple of pages of the book.

“The book had a bunch of very bad language in it,” Diana Verm said. “It shouldn’t be in there because it’s offending people. … If they can’t find a book that uses clean words, they shouldn’t have a book at all.”

After her complaint, she was given an alternate reading assignment, but her father, Alton Verm, is pushed for the book to be banned. His main complaint was that Fahrenheit 451 takes God’s name in vain so “there’s no reason for it to be read.” Alton Verm listed, page by page, some of his objections. This is some his list.

Page 28 cigarettes
Page 70 slapped face
Page 75 dirty talk (I’m going to have to go get my copy just to see what this dirty talk is)
Page 76 dirty talk
Page 78 Old + New Test.
Page 80 Bible
Page 197 drunk
Page 199 bought cigarettes and beer
Page 201 drunk
Page 203 drunk

Mr. Verm stated that down grading Christians and talking about our firemen as other reasons that the book should be banned. Neither Mr. Verm, nor his daughter, have read Fahrenheit 451 (nor seen or even heard of the film). If he had, he would have realized that Fahrenheit 451 is a book covering issues, such as book burning, and that it is also known for having saved the Bible from being burned.

Coincidentally, the book was assigned during the National Banned Book Week. Eventually, the attempt at banning the book also failed.