Follow Zap2it:
Amazon defends 'Pedophile's Guide to Love & Pleasure,' celebs strike back on Twitter
Twitter
Google
Amazon.com is currently under fire for their decision to sell a self-published book titled "The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure" for their Kindle device. The instructional guide, by Phillip R. Greaves, was published on Oct. 28 and it didn't take long before it caused alarm. Unsurprisingly, it sparked outrage from many - including celebrities."I CANNOT BELIEVE Amazon is selling this disgusting filth ... please email & voice your displeasure (NOT for children)," tweets "The View" co-host Sherri Shepherd. "I purchase a LOT of stuff from Amazon.com & will NOT purchase anything else until that book is taken off. Please put the pressure on Amazon."
"One Tree Hill" star Sophia Bush also took notice. "This is disgusting. Choosing to sell a pedophiles guide so you're not 'censoring' is irresponsible & gross," she writes.
Greaves, the author, says that the book is written with the best interest of children in mind. "This is my attempt to make pedophile situations safer for those juveniles that find themselves involved in them, by establishing certian rules for these adults to follow," he says. "I hope to achieve this by appealing to the better nature of pedosexuals, with hope that their doing so will result in less hatred and perhaps liter sentences should they ever be caught."
Hmm.
Amazon defends their decision to market the book. "Amazon believes it is censorship not to sell certain books simply because we or others believe their message is objectionable. Amazon does not support or promote hatred or criminal acts, however, we do support the right of every individual to make their own purchasing decisions," the company says in a statement.
Strangely, comments have since been disappearing from the book's Amazon page. Early on Nov. 10, there were over 100 comments. At press time, there are only 30.
[Update: As of 11:15 p.m. EST, the link to the book's page leads to an error message reading "We're sorry. The Web address you entered is not a functioning page on our site."]
[Update: It's back up, with over 2,000 comments.]
What do you think, Zappers? Is Amazon wrong to make the guide available? Weigh in below.
Follow Zap2it and @cadlymack on Twitter and Zap2it on Facebook for the latest TV, movie and celebrity news.
Photo: Amazon
Follow Zap2it on Twitter and Zap2it on Facebook for the latest news and buzz
Zap2it Elite Sheet Must Reads from the Web's In-Crowd
Featured Partners
I'm glad to see they've removed it, because I, too, was definitely going to boycott Amazon.com if they hadn't.
Moral Crusaders Ho!
Beyond unacceptable, morally bankrupt and vile. Amazon would NEVER have gotten another purchase from our family. What were they thinking??
I am outraged that Amazon allowed the sale to begin with. What could they have been thinking! What is the review process? Thank God it has been removed. And God bless our children and grand children.
To a tiny extent, I get that Amazon doesn't want to be known for being judgmental, but I have to say, given the sick comment the author made about his book...to make the pedophile experience more tolerable for the child...I don't think people will mind Amazon doing a little censorship in this particular circumstance.
im glad tehey removed it, were are the values
WTH?
Seriously, Amazon??? Has no one at Amazon got any sense at all?? I can see it now "Oh hey this guy has written a book on how to be a better child rapist, we should definately sell this book!"
I am boycotting Amazon and I am going to tell everyone I know who buys from them about this wonderful DIY instruction manual about scarring people for life.
DISGUSTING.
I am outraged! This is total BS no matter what type of abuse it is, its never safe for a child! What a disgusting freak! I will never even log on to this web site again.
Pedophilia is beyond morally reprehensible, it is UNLAWFUL. And it is unlawful for good reason. Children simply do not possess the cognitive skills, maturity or life experience to be involved in such a damaging situation. Amazon needs to realize this goes beyond a censorship issue. This book promotes illegal acts towards children. I saw the author on TV this a.m. claiming pedos don't force themselves on children, that children have the ability to choose this physical intimacy for themselves in a willing manner. WTH? This is why I can't stand Amazon. This is their MO. Sell something horrendous like this until they are exposed and the complaints start coming in. Make as much money as posible until caught. It happens continuously with them.
Amazon lists this as one of their prohibited content restrictions for sellers:
Offensive material. Amazon.com reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of listings posted to our site. Examples of offensive items are soiled undergarments, crime-scene photos, and human organs and body parts. Be aware of cultural differences and sensitivities and be careful to post items that are appropriate for our global community.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_rel_topic?ie=UTF8&nodeId=200414300
However, this is their statement after the book was reported:
On Wednesday, the company issued a statement saying that it "does not support or promote hatred or criminal acts" but that it believes it is "censorship not to sell certain titles because we believe their message is objectionable."
"We do support the right of every individual to make their own purchasing decisions," Amazon said.
Which is it, Amazon? Apparently, initially, according to Amazon, selling a how to molest children guide for pedophiles is not offensive and should be protected by the 1st amendment. Then because they feared losing $$$ they determined that, “Hey, NOW it is offensive and should be removed.”