Karen Cyson: Self-publishing pamphlets isn't a great way to prove ideas

For the past decade, I've had a Little Free Library in my front yard. Neighbors can take a book (or more) and/or leave a book. The system has worked quite well and required very little attention on my part.

This past summer, though, I was tidying the assortment on the shelves and noticed a stack of papers. I pulled them out and found that they were recruitment flyers for Vacation Bible School for a church on the other side of town. The premise was simple: come for the Kool-Aid, crackers, fun, and games, and we'll teach you all about our misogynistic, homophobic religion.

I was appalled that someone would use my LFL to promote the indoctrination of children in such a hateful belief system, so I removed the brochures, tore them in half, and mailed them to the church with a signed letter telling them to keep their cruelty off of my private property.

Much to my surprise, I received a response — a letter from the pastor of the church — telling me that children need brainwashing. He also stated that his proof of this was the bible, a book "without a proven contradiction," and he enclosed a stack of self-published pamphlets denouncing science and supporting his particular denomination, established in the 1600s, as the only valid way.

A few weeks later, I found a brochure on my front porch. This one was from another Christian denomination, established in the mid-1800s. To my not-very-great surprise, this self-published pamphlet claimed that this denomination was the one true way, that the proof of this was the Bible, and that "the entire book is harmonious." Even the illustrations were eerily similar to those of the other group's publications.

Two weeks ago, I noticed that my LFL was so full that the door wouldn't close. Upon closer inspection, the cause was a stack of three one-gallon Ziploc plastic bags. Each bag contained a book — the handbook for a faith established in the 600s, and a series of self-published pamphlets stating that this particular religion was the one true way (are we sensing a theme here?) including quotes and illustrations in support.

I have no problem with the books being placed in my library. The free exchange of books and the ideas contained in them is the entire point of having a LFL. Anyone who tries to control what other people read is in the wrong.

No one, however, "proves" that their religion is the one true way by self-publishing a pamphlet. No one proves anything by doing that.

A few months ago, I wrote my column about the harm being done by "big agriculture" draining our aquifers. I based my opinion on the research of climatologists, hydro-geologists, and geophysicists, people with decades of advanced training and research in the field. A few weeks later I received a mailing from a local water dowser who disputed my opinion and claimed that he could find water using his techniques and that "our nation's groundwater sources are not endangered."

He included (you guessed it) self-published pamphlets supporting his contention and stated that his work is part of "God's master plan."

There is nothing wrong with a pamphlet per se. They are an easy, inexpensive way to disseminate information. Thomas Paine's publication of "Common Sense" was critical in galvanizing colonists to the cause of the American Revolution.

A pamphlet is a way to quickly and easily spread ideas. Its publication is not, in and of itself, proof of anything. You or I could self-publish a pamphlet on any topic of our choice, but that wouldn't prove that what we wrote was valid.

Publication of a pamphlet to prove that another written item is credible is ludicrous even if it comes with charming illustrations.

— Times Writers Group member Karen Cyson is a child-care provider in Stearns County and the coordinator for Central Minnesota Mensa. Her column is published the third Sunday of the month.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Karen Cyson: Self-publishing pamphlets isn't a great way to prove ideas