Chick tract in my mailbox today

[puzzleannie]

!!

I don’t think the mailman would have done it, because that could cost him his job. I think it was neighbors next door.

!

it was not your carrier but report it to him or better yet your postmaster because it is against the law for anyone other than the USPS employee to put anything in your mailbox. since you are doubtless not the only neighbor to get these, believe me they will crack down if it was a blanket thing.

 

[strngrnrth]

Before calling the police or anything remember you are dealing with someone who has been exposed to a paranoid worldview. When someone is turning over paranoid ideas and trying to evaluate them, hostile reactions are very likely to tip them in the direction of believing the paranoid ideas. There are leaders of religious and other types of sects who use this principle to gain recruits. So then the one who did this will see him/herself as having been proved right in doing it. S/he will probably find wilier ways and do it more. So the gentle confrontation sounds more likely to work.
I would take it to the neighbor and say, “When I went to get my mail I noticed something. This comic book. It’s interesting. Have you ever seen one?” Start a casual conversation about it. Then go through it and discuss the points you have issues with as if simply curious, not harsh, and argue facts: “Here it says the Book of Revelation predicts a fire in the Vatican, but I read Revelation and there’s nothing like that in there. What do you think he means? You know, there was no Vatican when Revelation was written.” And so on.

 

[fbl9]

Hey - look at the bright side.
You can always use it to line your birdcage . . .

or you can do what w used to do with JW papers,we use them to light our fire pit we use in the summer for cooking.my wife would even tell them(the JW’s) that is what she would use them for,still we had paper for starting the fire.

 

[MarcoPolo]

Sometimes you can create a little habit. Every time something anti-Catholic comes across your path like this, donate to a pro-Catholic organization. Like buy a book at TAN books, or a T-shirt over at totallyCatholic. Or buy something from the Catholic.com store, or support Catholic media, or without spending any money, you could start a thread over at Prayer Intentions. Every time something anti-Catholic confronts you, go start a prayer thread and say something like, “I got a Chick tract today about the Pope as the anti-Christ. To help combat this persecution, I’d like to invite everyone to say 3 Hail Marys for the poor in spirit.”

 

[Pier]

Doesn’t CAF have similar flyers that can be distributed?

Legally, of course!

 

[Scottgun]

The person who gave you the Chick tract is just trying to Save you from Hell. They may be mistaken, but they mean well.

Good intentions may make an offense forgivable, but never acceptable or excusable.

 

[notself]

Good intentions may make an offense forgivable, but never acceptable or excusable.

It is a reason to show them compassion and kindness instead of getting upset and angry with them.

 

[Scottgun]

It is a reason to show them compassion and kindness instead of getting upset and angry with them.

Yes. And you could show some of that by not acting like posters here need to be taught everything from scratch like they are eight years old. It is an offense. It is perfectly acceptable to be initially upset, and it is perfectly acceptable to vent here. The op hasn’t mentioned actually seriously doing anything unjust, and until he does, we should assume in good faith that he won’t.

 

[elvisman]

The person who gave you the Chick tract is just trying to Save you from Hell. They may be mistaken, but they mean well.

**I would accept comassionate advice from somebody who was trying to lead me out of the depth of “Catholic depravity”. BUT - I will not take the vitriolic - and just plain wacky assaults that these anti-Catholic Chick tracts provide. **

Have you ever read one? I’ve read them all. They are disgusting, if not insane - and that is NO way to evangelize.

 

[wisdomseeker]

Wow. I thought it was pretty annoying when someone at my place of employment left these laying around, but it’s really annoying when there’s one in your mailbox!!

I don’t think the mailman would have done it, because that could cost him his job. I think it was neighbors next door.

Maybe I need a Benedict 16 flag hanging up (on their side?)

You see this little “literary classic” is called, “THE BEAST” and it describes how the Anti-Christ will rule the world from the VATICAN!

I can’t help but take that personally!

Funny how the little blank spot on the back where the proselytizer can sign their name is ALWAYS blank!

I see this is a great opportunity for you to evangelize your neighbor. great opportunity to start some conversion there. if you know who it is. try to befriend them, you may be able to lead them to the Truth. by the way a Picture of the Pope with the verse " I will build my Church and the Gates of hell will not prevail against it." would be great.
God bless.

 

[Singinbeauty]

I think it’s awesome…

Now before anyone gets hot under the collar… LOL

It means that you live your faith because they SEE it. Take it as a compliment, say thank you, then proceed to talk to them regarding what they put in there (if you can find out who it is). Open a discussion to allow them to see Christ through you. They are ignorant but in this ignorance they are trying to save you (in their own way I guess) but their heart is in the right place. Best thing to do is to take Christ’s advice… Turn the other cheek.

 

[notself]

Yes. And you could show some of that by not acting like posters here need to be taught everything from scratch like they are eight years old. It is an offense. It is perfectly acceptable to be initially upset, and it is perfectly acceptable to vent here. The op hasn’t mentioned actually seriously doing anything unjust, and until he does, we should assume in good faith that he won’t.

I was simply pointing out that anger which is form of hatred is a waste of time. Anger (hatred) is addictive in the sense that it is easy to form the habit of an angry or hateful response to situations that are provocative. The emotion makes one feel in control and powerful. But like all addictions, it has its downside. It prevents one from feeling compassion. Even anger or hatred that is not acted on diminishes compassion. Anger, hatred, whether acted on or as venting, all act to cloud and weaken compassion.

"When one gives birth to hatred for an individual, one should develop good will for that individual. Thus the hatred for that individual should be subdued.

"When one gives birth to hatred for an individual, one should develop compassion for that individual. Thus the hatred for that individual should be subdued.

"When one gives birth to hatred for an individual, one should develop equanimity toward that individual. Thus the hatred for that individual should be subdued.

"When one gives birth to hatred for an individual, one should pay him no mind & pay him no attention. Thus the hatred for that individual should be subdued.

"When one gives birth to hatred for an individual, one should direct one’s thoughts to the fact of his being the product of his actions: ‘This one is the doer of his actions, heir to his actions, born of his actions, related by his actions, and has his actions as his arbitrator. Whatever action he does, for good or for evil, to that will he fall heir.’ Thus the hatred for that individual should be subdued. -AN5.61

 

[GregoryPalamas]

It is a reason to show them compassion and kindness instead of getting upset and angry with them.

I rather agree with you. I think we should look for every opportunity to show the love and truth of Christ. How can these goofy tracts really hurt an individual unless we let them. Thank the fellow if you know who gave it to you. If you don’t then strike up a conversation with your neighbor and tell him how kind it was that a person cared enough to share a tract. If he admits to it or even if he doesn’t then you have made an opening to share the Gospel with him.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Let not your heart be troubled. Rejoice when men persecute and revile you for Christ’s name sake. Rejoice and be glad.

If he listens you may gain a brother. If not, you become a martyr. In either case it’s a win win situation.

CDL

 

[GregoryPalamas]

I would accept comassionate advice from somebody who was trying to lead me out of the depth of “Catholic depravity”. BUT - I will not take the vitriolic - and just plain wacky assaults that these anti-Catholic Chick tracts provide.

Have you ever read one? I’ve read them all. They are disgusting, if not insane - and that is NO way to evangelize.

Of course it isn’t. They are lost souls. They have nothing much to work with so they attack. But now you have an opportunity to evangelize them.

I remember going to a Charismatic conference which sought to bring Catholics and Protestants together. I went to their book sales tables and discovered two full tables of Chick tracts in one of the display areas. I told the proprietor that these tracts were absolutely inappropriate at a Charismatic gathering. I said they were mostly false and insulting and must be removed. When he said that they were very effective evangelism tools I responded with force but even tempteredness (is that a word?) that they did no such thing but rather supported peoples prejudices with lies. I was insistent if they weren’t removed I would report the vendor to the leadership of the event. I checked back in an hour. They were removed.

CDL

 

[GregoryPalamas]

I think it’s awesome…

Now before anyone gets hot under the collar… LOL

It means that you live your faith because they SEE it. Take it as a compliment, say thank you, then proceed to talk to them regarding what they put in there (if you can find out who it is). Open a discussion to allow them to see Christ through you. They are ignorant but in this ignorance they are trying to save you (in their own way I guess) but their heart is in the right place. Best thing to do is to take Christ’s advice… Turn the other cheek.

Amen! And thank you for you and your husband’s sacrifce for our country.

CDL

 

[lovesMary]

I’ve seen these types of tracts occasionally. They seemed to be aimed and people with a low level of education. They are simplistic and someone with a 4th grade reading level can understand them. They are very funny to read because they are so absurd!

I think most people would find them amusing in their ridiculous notions and that they would have the effect of making the recipient of the tract think Fundementalists are unsophisticated and uneducated.

 

[system]

Just for the record - I haven’t responded to anyone about it, and I’m not sure who put it there. I do have a hunch.

Also, I’m not really angry about it. Just thought I would share it here for some laughs.

They are not dangerous to me, not even when I was a fallen and questioning Catholic (now I’m halfway gotten up!)

• but some poor lost souls may actually think these things have real answers, and that would be tragic.

 

[Della]

**“This Was Your Life” is a classic, in a rather screwy way **​

**I have only two of the comic books, which are full of Alberto Rivera’s reminiscences of his past as a Spanish Jesuit bishop **

This is hysterical:

The Wonderful World Of Chick
by Andrew Hultkrans

There are other sites poking fun at all things Chicky - but that has to be the funniest.

Unfortunately, Andrew Hultkrans in Section Four, identifies Alberto Rivera as a “Jesuit priest” when he was no such thing: Who Was Alberto Rivera?. Someone should contact him to have him correct his copy.

 

[elvisman]

Of course it isn’t. They are lost souls. They have nothing much to work with so they attack. But now you have an opportunity to evangelize them.

I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s a great opportunity to share the faith with them.

I was pointing out that the people who left the tract were probably doing more than trying to evangelize. People who hand out garbage like Chick tracts are usually (and I say “usually”, from experience) anti-Catholic bigots - not well-intentioned Protestant evangelists.

I’ve had people (many of them bitter ex-Catholics) shove them in my face, spewing out the most horrible things to me about the Church - ALL lies, I might add. I believe in Christian charity, but I also believe there’s a point where standing up for your faith must come into play.

**I can totally understand becoming angry about that, but we should, as you pointed out, use the opportunity to share our faith with the. **

 

[elvisman]

The one thing that people on this thread keep saying is how “funny” these tracts are because they’re so absurd - which they are. BUT - I have seen people pulled away from the Catholic Church because of them - some were my own siblings. This kind of thing is more dangerous than you might think - especially to those who don’t know their faith well enough.

Ridiculous as the “Alberto” series is, I saw my brother walk away from the Church because of them.

Chick tracts funny? Maybe, but also dangerous.