10 Books Banned for Religious Reasons

Published on 8 January 2025 at 14:18

The United States prides itself on having built a system that separates church and state and upholds religious freedoms. Despite this ideal, many communities around the country have been banning books and censoring points of view that don't fit their particular set of beliefs. This censorship often deeply impacts members of the LGBTQ2IA+ community. In a similar vein, it can shut down the conversations that science-fiction and fantasy spark through metaphors and allusions. For example, The Lord of the Rings was once banned for being "satanic" in nature despite its Christian metaphors and measured commentary on good and evil.

 

Below, I have compiled a list of books that have been banned or challenged for religious reasons and where you can find them online.

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10 Books Banned for Religious Reasons (Plus a Bonus Book)

  1. The Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien): The famed series by Tolkien draws heavily from Nordic mythology, Christian allegory, and the author's experiences at war. However, the series was banned in multiple US states early in its release and was burned in Alamagordo, NM as recently as 2001 outside Christ Community Church for being regarded as "satanic." Read The Lord of the Rings here, listen here, or buy here.
  2. The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins): Although religion is not mentioned in this series, this book was the most challenged book in the US in 2016, according to the American Library Association. It was deemed "occult/satanic" and "anti-family," among other things. It has also been banned for inserting "religious perspective." Ironically, Collins is identified by Wikipedia as Catholic. Read The Hunger Games here, listen here, or buy here.
  3. Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling): Made controversial by the author's transphobic beliefs, Harry Potter's bans are cut and dry reactions to the magic-based fantasy universe. Some Christian communities consider any mention of magic or witchcraft to be influenced by Satan and this is the driving force for banning fantasy novels that include magic. These days, in protest of the author's transphobic remarks, many die-hard Harry Potter fans have turned to supporting fan-led art and stories as a way to redirect those funds from Rowling herself and to support the many LGBTQ Harry Potter fans who felt hurt by her trans-exclusionary activism. Read Harry Potter here or listen here. You can also support artists on Etsy or RedBubble, listen to one of these Harry Potter podcasts, or catch up on some fanfiction on Archive of Our Own.
  4. Melissa (Alex Gino): Formerly titled George, Melissa is frequently challenged because its discussion of transgender identity conflicts with the beliefs of many conservative Christians. The banning of books that provide representation for transgender and gender-nonconforming people is deeply harmful because it not only affirms transphobia within these communities, but also teaches queer folks that there is no place for them in their homes, neighborhoods, schools, or towns. Listen to Melissa here, buy here. or use Google Books to find the nearest library that offers the book.
  5. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini): Banned because it was a purported to "promote Islam" and "lead to terrorism," this critically acclaimed novel's main themes include friendship, forgiveness, atonement, and the drive to be a better person. Read The Kite Runner here, listen here, or buy here.
  6. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (Mark Haddon): Considered to promote atheism, this book was banned for being disagreeable to certain religious viewpoints. Read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime here, listen here, or buy here.
  7. The Holy Bible (various): Did you know there are 52 countries where the Bible is banned? Check out the list here. A Texas school also found its way into the news for removing all copies of The Bible from its shelves. Read The Bible here, listen here, or buy here.
  8. Nasreen's Secret School (Jeanette Winter): The full title of this book is Nasreen's Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan. This book has been banned in various local communities due to conservative Christian opposition to including Islamic characters in children's books. Read Nasreen's Secret School here or buy here.
  9. Bless Me, Ultima (Rudolfo Anaya): Banned for being perceived as occult, this book is actually recognized as bringing respect to Chicano literature as well as Mexican and Native American cultures. Read Bless Me, Ultima here, listen here, or buy here.
  10. Beloved (Toni Morrison): Beloved has shown up on lists of banned books before for being violent and sexually explicit, but its also been challenged on religious grounds. Although I could not find the reasoning for its ban based on religious viewpoints, it may be due to the incompatibility of extramarital sex and conservative religious beliefs. Read Beloved here, listen here, or buy here.
  11. ttyl; ttfn; l8r, g8r series (Lauren Myracle): This book has been banned on numerous occasions largely due to sexual content, however, it has also been banned on religious grounds. Check Google Books for your nearest library or buy here.

Sources

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