Amazon.com selling a 'Pedophile guidebook" outrages consumers

   The Pedophile’s Guide to Love and Pleasure: A Child-Lover’s Code of Conduct a self-published e-book by Phillip R Greaves II was available on Amazon.com. The book’s title came as a shock to many people and Amazon.com deteriorated the situation by reacting inadequately. People were outraged by its policy and some people even began to boycott the company. The self-published e-book is now pulled from Amazon.com, but controversy on the company’s guidelines for digital publication still remains as the company has refused to comment on it.

   The only official statement on the book was “Amazon believes it is a 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 decision." There are many issues to this statement. Is the guidebook for pedophiles just an objectionable book to people which can be protected by the First Amendment or authentically an illegal book? Another controversy is that if it is legal to publish this book, can the inconsistent policy by Amazon.com be justified?

   It is legal to publish a guidebook for pedophiles? The First Amendment protects the freedom of speech in the United States, but there are some exceptions; child pornography laws, speech that incites imminent danger, and regulation of commercial speech such as advertising. Since the book only consists of text, it does not come under pornography. It is controversial whether this book incites imminent danger or not. Statistics show that 30 to 40 percent of child sex abusers were caught by reoffending crime. Experts say that these child sexual offenders are most likely to conduct this crime again. These reoccurring habits show that they lack the ability to control their impulses. As a result exposing this book will only enhance their vulnerability in this immoral behavior. However, considering that the court maintains a generous position in permitting advocacy of unpopular ideas that people may find distasteful the guidebook for pedophiles is likely to be protected by the freedom of speech.

   So let’s say this book is legal. Why is it a problem for Amazon to choose certain books they want to sell? People have a right to run a business related to anything unless it is illegal. The problem is that Amazon does not apply a consistent standard in selecting books to advertise. Pornography is legal and is a profitable business, but Amazon has their own policy not to sell those books. Then why do they sell a pro-pedophile book? People cannot help but to think that Amazon supports this book. Selling this book will not cause a legal dispute, but it is clear that it will cost economic consequences. If Amazon does not make their position clear, outraged consumers of Amazon.com will continue the boycott.