Theft or civil disobedience? 16 books go missing after Shelbyville church encourages checkout and no return lgbtq books

[Demovictory9]

https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/08/18/theft-or-civil-disobedience/

Theft or civil disobedience?
16 volumes go missing after Shelbyville church urges members to check out, never return library books about LGBTQ+ people


SHELBYVILLE – A local church is urging its members to permanently remove books from the Shelby County Public Library by checking them out and never returning them. The books portray gay characters and historical figures or explore LGBTQ+ themes.
Pamela Wilson Federspiel, who has been director of the library in downtown Shelbyville for 34 years, says the action is tantamount to “stealing.”

But three leaders of the Reformation Church of Shelbyville defend what they call an “act of civil disobedience.”

“Yes — we have urged Christians, both locally and across the country, to search their libraries for books that promote sodomy, gender confusion and rebellion against God — and if found, to check them out and never return them as an act of civil disobedience,” pastors Jerry Dorris and Tanner Cartwright and Austin Keeler, an evangelist with the church mission, Reformation Frontline Missions, recently told the Lantern in an email.
The library has “lost” 16 books valued at $410.85 since a member of the church checked them out last year with due dates in late June 2024, said Federspiel. Some of the books were written for children, some for adults. (The list of books is at the bottom of this story.)

[johnp3907]

1. Neither.

Hate crime.

[D_Master81]

2. Forgetting 1 little thing

I mean I get your “plan” here but aren’t you forgetting 1 thing if you’re doing this? The library has your record of checking it out so they will simply fine you for a “lost book” status and use the fine to replace it. Are you simply going to not pay the fine then and lose your ability to check out items from the library?

[xmas74]

4. It's also theft

So a misdemeanor charge and court fines along with payment of books.

[Torchlight]

3. So many people are wedded to the concept a book ban looks like only one thing

Silent removal, curriculum avoidance, opt-outs, administrative pressure, funding and policy restraints, challenges that purposefully never resolve, etc. They're all the same needle on the same gauge. It's all just different faces of the same damn problem, and pretending otherwise is a convenient lie ossified minds keep telling the frogs as the water slowly boils.

[Demovictory9]

5. Bringing in prageru slop videos to replace book learning

[Timeflyer]

10. Yes. They're stealing, costing the taxpayers of county replacement costs plus staff time, spreading hate,

depriving others of materials they may not be able to obtain any other way, and probably teaching their children that god said it's ok to take the law into their self-righteous hands.

[LS0999]

6. If this so-called church burnt down

It wouldn't be considered arson. Its just an act of God.

[Initech]

7. Fuck this church and their worthess leaders. What an exctremely shitty thing to do.

[KentuckyWoman]

8. Great idea.

The library orders replacement books. Author makes more money. The idiot that doesn't return the book gets cut off from the library until the return the book or pay for it.

[Duncan Grant]

9. They're doing this because they love you -- and they're good people.

After much prayer, we’ve decided you should do as we say. This comes from a place of love. You’re welcome!

[harumph]

11. Steal their church and don't give it back.

[Ms. Toad]

12. Both.

Civil disobedience generally involves violating the law for what the person engaging in civil disobedience believes is a greater good.

While I didn't agree with the goal, it doesn't change the nature of the act.