‘This is not stealing’: Kentucky church defends members for not returning ‘sexually perverse books’ to library
August 27, 2025
The leaders of a Baptist church in Kentucky say that they support members of their congregation who choose not to return certain library books containing LGBT-themed material, but have denied that the trend stems from a “church directive.”
The Christian Post reports that the Reformation Church of Shelbyville (RCS) says the movement began in June 2024 when a family attending the church found more than a dozen “sexually perverse books” at the Shelby County library.
Among the books in question were My Two Dads by Claudia Harrington, Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love, and Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out, by Susan Kuklin.
According to RCS, many of the titles listed promoted transgenderism and homosexuality, including a story of a 6-year-old child performing oral sex.
RCS asked the library for permission to hold a “Pastor’s Story Hour” event but their request was denied.
A video from RCS evangelist Tanner Cartwright warned church members about the books, which were openly available to minors.
According to the Christian Post, RCS Elder Jerry Doris stated that the video was intended to expose “what was happening in our local library and encouraged people to contact the staff” rather than a call to “check out books and not return them.”
Doris told the Christian Post, “So, these are not awkward ‘coming-of-age’ books. They are sexualized, ideological propaganda placed in front of children and teens.”
Doris said that letters sent to library officials regarding the books have gone unanswered and clarified that “Apart from the automated late notices, there’s been no real contact.”
Failure to return library materials doesn’t constitute theft under state law, according to Doris who added, “In Kentucky, not returning a library book is a civil matter, not a criminal one. The penalty is fines, collections or loss of library privileges, just like not paying a utility bill. That’s it. No police, no jail.”
Doris said, “It is an act of civil disobedience against officials who are abusing public funds to groom children.”
Photo: top, Credit: Screenshot/Facebook/Reformation Church