Can you guess which book is among the most challenged in the library? The answer may shock you

Some books are banned from school libraries because of the controversial nature of their content. Specifically, books that contain pornography, racism, and other scandalous material are often restricted. However, there is one book that is repeatedly challenged no matter where - the Bible.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The Bible is one of the most controversial books in the library because atheists, and others who are opposed to the message of Christianity, will object to its inclusion. A common objection is that it violates the Establishment Clause of the Constitution, which requires a separation between church and state.

Occasionally, if a religious parent objects to a controversial book, secularists might retaliate by objecting to the Bible.

The American Library Association favors the inclusion of the Bible as most Americans likely do. In addition to the Bible, many Americans are willing to abide the inclusion of other texts, such as the Book of Mormon, the Koran, and the Bhagavad Gita.

Secularists challenge the Bible, claiming that it is filled with sex, violence and racism, things that commonly get other books banned from libraries. However, the Bible is also a history book as well as a moral guide. History books commonly contain all of the above elements, yet they are not banned.

Some books, such as those that promote overs sexual topics can be banned, but this has more to do with the age appropriateness of the books as well as the fact that some books come with an active, overt agenda that most people find offensive. For example, a book that promotes racial bigotry and hatred would likely be banned from a library that chiefly serves minors.

Some of the problems stem from parents who insist that commonly read books, such as Harry Potter, be banned. Harry Potter is a common target because some Christians fear they will promote obsession with witchcraft. However, these books are widely consumed and most children understand they are fictional works from a very young age and don't take them so seriously they begin practicing witchcraft.

Are some secularists afraid their children might begin practicing Christianity after seeing the Bible in a library?

Freedom, at its most basic level, means letting others do things you don't like. That includes reading fantastic books like Harry Potter and the Bible.

Here is the top 10 list of the most commonly challenged books in the library.

1. Looking for Alaska, by John Green
   Reasons: Offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited for age group.
2. Fifty Shades of Grey, by E. L. James
   Reasons: Sexually explicit, unsuited to age group, and other ("poorly written," "concerns that a group of teenagers will want to try it").
3. I Am Jazz, by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings
   Reasons: Inaccurate, homosexuality, sex education, religious viewpoint, and unsuited for age group.
4. Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out, by Susan Kuklin
   Reasons: Anti-family, offensive language, homosexuality, sex education, political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, unsuited for age group, and other ("wants to remove from collection to ward off complaints").
5. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon
   Reasons: Offensive language, religious viewpoint, unsuited for age group, and other ("profanity and atheism").
6. The Holy Bible
   Reasons: Religious viewpoint.
7. Fun Home, by Alison Bechdel
   Reasons: Violence and other ("graphic images").
8. Habibi, by Craig Thompson
   Reasons: Nudity, sexually explicit, and unsuited for age group.
9. Nasreen's Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan, by Jeanette Winter
   Reasons: Religious viewpoint, unsuited to age group, and violence.
10. Two Boys Kissing, by David Levithan
    Reasons: Homosexuality and other ("condones public displays of affection").

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