Kirk Cameron claims that his faith-based books are being banned from libraries. But his story is highly sketchy

Kirk Cameron's latest attempt to market his 'Christian' brand is deceptive and highly cynical.

Here we go again with far-right evangelical victimhood. 

From RadarOnline:

'90s sitcom star Kirk Cameron claimed he was banned as a featured author at over 50 libraries across the public system, in addition to being prohibited from presenting his new faith-based children's book at a storytime event. Cameron was allegedly told his book's contents did not "align" with one library's values, RadarOnline.com has learned. The child actor-turned-writer/producer, along with his publisher, Brave Books, condemned the banning and claimed the refusal was a threat to "our kids" and "this country."

Cameron's claim is being amplified throughout the right-wing media with personalities comparing how libraries have no problem with allowing drag queens to read to kids while supposedly banning Cameron's faith-based books. The following from conservative personality Charlie Kirk is indicative of the narrative:

When something like this happens, folks on social media and the like figuratively step all over each other trying to be the first to give their two cents. Unfortunately, very few seem are even trying to get the true story. All we know is that libraries won't allow Cameron to read his books to kids because of anti-religious discrimination as per the story told by Cameron and his publisher.

In other words, Cameron is claiming that libraries are banning him from reading this book. That's the story - Cameron is making claims.

The following is from Fox News:

The Rochambeau Public Library in Providence, Rhode Island, for instance, told Cameron and his book publisher by phone, "No, we will pass on having you run a program in our space.""We are a very queer-friendly library. Our messaging does not align," the library worker also told Brave Books. When the publisher asked the library official about filling out the proper form to apply for 

a story-hour slot, the individual replied, "You can fill out the form to reserve space, to run the program in our space — but we won’t run your program." On its website, Rochambeau Public Library promotes a regular offering for young people called "Queer Umbrella."

But RadarOnline provides a different view of what happened.

The Rochambeau Public Library, based in Providence, Rhode Island, allegedly denied the 52-year-old's request to promote his new book, As You Grow after he contacted them about the program. "No, we will pass on having you run a program in our space," a staff member from the Providence library allegedly told the sitcom actor and his publisher during the phone call. Cameron and Brave Books claimed the library staff member elaborated on the reason, stating, "We are a very queer-friendly library. Our messaging does not align."

Unlike Fox News, RadarOnline points out that conversation between Cameron, his publisher and the library allegedly happened, not actually happened. 

And that is important because of the next portion of the RadarOnline article:

 According to Brave Books, the publisher requested information on the library's process to book Cameron for a future story hour slot. "You can fill out the form to reserve space, to run the program in our space — but we won’t run your program," the library allegedly replied to Brave Book's inquiry 

. In a statement released by Rochambeau Public Library on December 7, the facility claimed that Brave Books "mentioned no particular author or book in their call."

 "Our libraries are free civic spaces, and our meeting rooms are available free of charge to the public," the library's statement read. "We provide space for many types of groups, including religious organizations."

 Fox News did contact a few other libraries which Cameron initially contacted. None of them indicated that Cameron's religious views were a reason why they turned him down. But while the Fox News article did not establish a concrete conclusion on that matter, it made it a point to indicate that these libraries held LGBTQ events, including Drag Queen Story Hour

. Furthermore, the Fox News article also allowed Cameron and his publisher to claim that anti-religious discrimination and "wokeism" were the reasons why Cameron and his books were allegedly banned. In fact, the entire tone of the article implies that Cameron is a victim of anti-religious discrimination by libraries.

But here is the HUGE problem with that - that premise was never established. The only evidence of this narrative seems to be an alleged conversation Cameron and his publisher had with one Rhode Island library. And even the details about the conversation very sketchy.

My personal opinion - and only my personal opinion - is that in lieu of a decent and honest promotional campaign, Cameron and his publisher are exploiting the annoying desire of far-right evangelicals in America to constantly play the victimhood card.  And they are being helped by a right-wing propaganda engine more interested in winning points in this so-called culture war than being honest.