Jim’s Daily Rant. Imprimatur

Imprimatur:

“From the Latin meaning ‘let it be printed,’ an imprimatur is given by a bishop for books on certain scriptural or religious topics. It is required for all Catholic versions of sacred Scripture and liturgical texts as well as religious books that will be used as textbooks or for public prayer. Otherwise, an imprimatur is not needed for every religious book” [ibid., p. 86]. Source

I was schooled by nuns and grew up knowing that I was not supposed to “read any book that did not contain an Imprimatur in the front of it.” It was a sin to do so. Therefore I read every book I could find that didn’t have one before I was caught!

As it turns out I have never seen such a book. The custom began around 1600 when book printing began. It was the approval of religious books to be fit for Catholics to read. The truth is I didn’t want to read religious books after being in a religious school all day. That would be like a Gynecologist going to a topless bar after a hard day at the office.

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My last Rants on Meditation reminded me of my High School interest in Psychology as a possible career path. You know me, I ran to the library to check out an introduction level Psychology book.

I nearly started a global war that day.

Being a Junior in High School, I went into the school library. It was not open stacks; a Nun had to pull your request. I was scolded for such a perverted request. The elderly Nun knew for a fact that I was only interested in using it to “deflower an innocent girl by hypnotizing her”.

I had to plead and argue with her to trust my intentions. Until I finally won her over I was near showing her my little tiny weinny to prove it wouldn't do me much good anyway.

But to be honest, when I finished the first chapter I did look in the Glossary under “Deflower” but it must have been a low level introduction. Just my luck.