Brave New World Ch. 17.1: Why would a 'perfect' society ban God? | Why Books Get Banned

Mustapha Mond opens his literal vault of “smut”… and it’s the Bible, William James, and a bunch of old religious philosophy that the World State treats like porn. John tries to argue for God, solitude, and death, and Mond basically says: we engineered a world where you never have to be alone, lose anything, or grow old… so God becomes “incompatible.”

Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books chapter by chapter, and we don’t read ahead… so you’re discovering the story with us.

Things To Listen For:

• Mond’s “pornographic old books” reveal, and why religion lives in a safe now
• Dan’s guess that the forbidden book is Harry Potter (or Twilight)
• Jennifer trying to untangle “we are not our own”… while holding her earrings
• “Letters from Penthouse” (Dan is not helping)
• The chapter’s big thesis: God vs machinery, medicine, and “universal happiness”
• John’s real problem with this society… no solitude, no misery, no secret underwear crime

Why was Brave New World banned?
This chapter hits the pressure points that get books challenged fast: religion and anti-religion arguments, sexuality, social engineering, and a society built on chemical happiness and control.

If this is your first episode, you’re fine starting here. Our fact-checking Robot catches you up fast, then we read the next chapter (spoilers).

Banworthy to Bingeworthy

Two pods to keep you company in this extremely normal timeline:

• Rachel Maddow Presents: Burn Order — A gripping investigation into how state power can target entire communities… and then try to hide the evidence.
• Good News for Lefties — If you need a breather after the doomscroll, Beowulf brings actual, grounded optimism for progressives… the kind that doesn’t sugarcoat reality, but still reminds you there’s stuff worth fighting for.

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Disclaimer

Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines.

The material used from the book Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy to experience the book in its entirety.

This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Aldous Huxley, their estate, or the publishers of Brave New World. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.

Topics Covered:
Brave New World, Aldous Huxley, Chapter 17, John the Savage, Mustapha Mond, Cardinal Newman, Maine de Biran, William James, Thomas à Kempis, Shakespeare, Lenina, soma, Nine Years War, God, religion, solitude, conditioning, universal happiness, social control, banned books, banned books podcast, book banning, censorship, literary analysis, comedy podcast