"Christian" Book stores

[on_fire]

I live in the Bible belt and have had on occasion gone into “Christian” book stores and cannot find any Catholic Bibles in them.The other day they had a poster up saying Over 400 years of Bible study commentary available.Should I ask the employees or the manager if this is a Christian bookstore why dont you carry any Catholic Bibles…or just let it go and walk out?

 

[Pieman333272]

It can’t hurt to ask, but be unsurprised if they hit you with some hating on the CC and try to make you Protestant. If they don’t have it, I would excuse myself when I found that out, rather than delving into why and what the manager’s opinion on Catholicism is.

 

[PatriceA]

I live in the Bible belt and have had on occasion gone into “Christian” book stores and cannot find any Catholic Bibles in them.The other day they had a poster up saying Over 400 years of Bible study commentary available.Should I ask the employees or the manager if this is a Christian bookstore why dont you carry any Catholic Bibles…or just let it go and walk out?

Personally, I wouldn’t challenge them. I’d support an online Catholic store or something before I’d confront a Christian store of any kind. I accept that those kind of stores are not going to offer me what I need as a Catholic. I don’t want Protestant merchandise in the Catholic stores I frequent, why would I expect it to be different at a Christian bookstore?

 

[Dysmas1]

Personally, I wouldn’t challenge them. I’d support an online Catholic store or something before I’d confront a Christian store of any kind. I accept that those kind of stores are not going to offer me what I need as a Catholic. I don’t want Protestant merchandise in the Catholic stores I frequent, why would I expect it to be different at a Christian bookstore?

I am, and always have been, uncomfortable with folks, especially Catholics, saying ‘Christian bookstore’ or
’ Christian church’ things like that when they are referring to Protestant institutions. It implies that Catholics are not Christian. Better, I think, to refer to such places as, for example, a ‘Protestant Bookstore’. Or ‘Baptist church’ in that way one does not inadvertently imply Catholics are not Christians and would identify these places correctly.

 

[Angel_Bradford]

I am, and always have been, uncomfortable with folks, especially Catholics, saying ‘Christian bookstore’ or
’ Christian church’ things like that when they are referring to Protestant institutions. It implies that Catholics are not Christian. Better, I think, to refer to such places as, for example, a ‘Protestant Bookstore’. Or ‘Baptist church’ in that way one does not inadvertently imply Catholics are not Christians and would identify these places correctly.

While I understand what you’re saying, the term “Christian Bookstore” is how they advertise themselves and, since most of them are affiliated with a Protestant deneomination, many of them (at least around here) do not recognized Catholicism as a Christian religion. I’m not disagreeing with you, just stating the obvious.

 

[tuscany]

I got an education a few years ago when I went into a “Christian Bookstore”. I was looking through the book section, when I found a section on religious cults. I saw books on the usual cults, when my eye spotted a book on the Catholic Church being a cult! I opened it up, and you couldn’t believe all the untruths that were in it. I asked the girl behind the counter about it, and she said that Catholics weren’t Christians! I just looked at her, pulled out my Crucifix and asked her who was that on my cross? She said “Jesus Christ”. To which I said, " So why would I be wearing Christ around my neck and close to my heart if I weren’t a Christian?" She just couldn’t seem to answer that question. I told her that Catholics were the first Christians, and that that should count for something, and I turned and walked out!
Buy your things at Catholic Bookstores, or Catholic sites. Support the real deal.

 

[Angel_Bradford]

I got an education a few years ago when I went into a “Christian Bookstore”. I was looking through the book section, when I found a section on religious cults. I saw books on the usual cults, when my eye spotted a book on the Catholic Church being a cult! I opened it up, and you couldn’t believe all the untruths that were in it. I asked the girl behind the counter about it, and she said that Catholics weren’t Christians! I just looked at her, pulled out my Crucifix and asked her who was that on my cross? She said “Jesus Christ”. To which I said, " So why would I be wearing Christ around my neck and close to my heart if I weren’t a Christian?" She just couldn’t seem to answer that question. I told her that Catholics were the first Christians, and that that should count for something, and I turned and walked out!
Buy your things at Catholic Bookstores, or Catholic sites. Support the real deal.

 

[Dysmas1]

While I understand what you’re saying, the term “Christian Bookstore” is how they advertise themselves and, since most of them are affiliated with a Protestant deneomination, many of them (at least around here) do not recognized Catholicism as a Christian religion. I’m not disagreeing with you, just stating the obvious.

Yes your right. It is a very widely used phrase. It’s not at all accurate but then again I wouldn’t expect it to be given the country we live in and the religious climate here. I also realize that many people who say that are well intentioned and don’t mean anything by it but it IS a very anti-Catholic thing to say.

Peace

 

[Angel_Bradford]

Yes your right. It is a very widely used phrase. It’s not at all accurate but then again I wouldn’t expect it to be given the country we live in and the religious climate here. I also realize that many people who say that are well intentioned and don’t mean anything by it but it IS a very anti-Catholic thing to say.

Peace

I totally agree!

 

[JustaServant]

I live in the Bible belt and have had on occasion gone into “Christian” book stores and cannot find any Catholic Bibles in them.The other day they had a poster up saying Over 400 years of Bible study commentary available.Should I ask the employees or the manager if this is a Christian bookstore why dont you carry any Catholic Bibles…or just let it go and walk out?

If its a privately owned bookstore, no chance. The chain of “Family Bookstores” (formally Zondervan) has a small, modest Catholic section (usually in the back near the restroom). To be honest the best Catholic Bibles I have found in secular bookstores like Borders or Barnes and Noble. Online buying is best though, IMO.
And before any Protestant think I am dissing the Family Bookstore chain, let me say even as a Protestant preacher (who loves books) I found the store pretty useless.
You can get a great Jesus bumper sticker though.

 

[Dymphna82]

I don’t live in the Bible belt. I live in NYC, where Catholicism is more popular, due to being immigration central. So, I’m somewhat more optimistic.

I think you could innocently ask them, “Would you happen to have a Catholic Bible?” Or “Would you happen to have a Douay Rheims or NAB bible?”

If they say no, then just say, “Oh, I would be interested in purchasing one of those Bibles and your store is nearby my home. Do you think perhaps you could order one for me?”

Some bookstores, at least regular bookstores, are willing to order books they don’t have for others. You can definitely try this in places like Borders, Barnes and Nobles and the like. independent bookstores are likely to do it if they can charge you the shipping fee, or if they see a demand for it.

If they give you a judgmental look or get rude with you, just say, “Sorry” or “Thank you for your time,” and go on your way. If they don’t want your patronage, then it’s their loss.

But you know, I’m disappointed that even Borders by my church doesn’t have the Douay Rheims Bible. Has other Bible that are put in the “Apocrypha” section, but not DR.

Ebay and Amazon are just wonderful, IMO. Oh, and Half.com, which is an extension of Ebay.

I hope God gives you the strength in an obviously difficult area to live in.

 

[gamewell45]

I live in the Bible belt and have had on occasion gone into “Christian” book stores and cannot find any Catholic Bibles in them.The other day they had a poster up saying Over 400 years of Bible study commentary available.Should I ask the employees or the manager if this is a Christian bookstore why dont you carry any Catholic Bibles…or just let it go and walk out?

You can certainly give it a try; the worst that can happen is that the store owner can say no to you; if so, try ordering one online. Tho’ I’d think that most store owners, in hopes of making as much money as possible, would accomodate your request and order one for you.

 

[Dymphna82]

And before any Protestant think I am dissing the Family Bookstore chain, let me say even as a Protestant preacher (who loves books) I found the store pretty useless.
You can get a great Jesus bumper sticker though.

My boyfriend, a future Protestant minister, is not a fan of Zondervan at all.

 

[JonNC]

I live in the Bible belt and have had on occasion gone into “Christian” book stores and cannot find any Catholic Bibles in them.The other day they had a poster up saying Over 400 years of Bible study commentary available.Should I ask the employees or the manager if this is a Christian bookstore why dont you carry any Catholic Bibles…or just let it go and walk out?

Most of them are not chock full of Lutheran stuff, either.

You can ask, but it probably isn’t worth the effort. A suggestion to add to the very good ones you’ve received. I was in one of the mega-bookstore chains the other day, whose initals start with a “B” and an “N” D), and they had plenty of Catholic Bibles, Catholic authors, etc.

Jon

 

[Senecus]

If the original poster resides in the U.S., there may be a “Parables” bookstore in the area. These stores have a two or three Catholic sections. So one can find not only Bibles such as the Catholic edition of the NRSV (my favorite), but also RCC acceptable Bible Studies materials, dvd’s, etc.

 

[GreggAlvarez]

I live in the Bible belt and have had on occasion gone into “Christian” book stores and cannot find any Catholic Bibles in them.The other day they had a poster up saying Over 400 years of Bible study commentary available.Should I ask the employees or the manager if this is a Christian bookstore why dont you carry any Catholic Bibles…or just let it go and walk out?

Kind of like Christian websites which have apologetics against atheism, Judaism, Islam and Catholicism. Half-Priced Books, Borders, Barnes&Nobles (took me a while JonNC ) and even Blockbuster all have more Catholic books than a store I went to called “Lifeway Christian Store”. To their credit, they had two Catholic books in the entire store. G.K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy (although people seem to think this is anti-Catholic for some reason) and another book that I cannot even remember the name of.

 

[mtolympus]

I got an education a few years ago when I went into a “Christian Bookstore”. I was looking through the book section, when I found a section on religious cults. I saw books on the usual cults, when my eye spotted a book on the Catholic Church being a cult! I opened it up, and you couldn’t believe all the untruths that were in it. I asked the girl behind the counter about it, and she said that Catholics weren’t Christians! I just looked at her, pulled out my Crucifix and asked her who was that on my cross? She said “Jesus Christ”. To which I said, " So why would I be wearing Christ around my neck and close to my heart if I weren’t a Christian?" She just couldn’t seem to answer that question. I told her that Catholics were the first Christians, and that that should count for something, and I turned and walked out!
Buy your things at Catholic Bookstores, or Catholic sites. Support the real deal.

I know how you feel.

 

[Cable]

…I don’t want Protestant merchandise in the Catholic stores I frequent, why would I expect it to be different at a Christian bookstore?

A person might expect to find Catholic items in a “Christian” bookstore b/c Catholics are the original Christians assembled by Christ. In a way it makes sense to call themselves Christian so that it includes various groups under one heading. Nevertheless, I’ve found the Church mostly, if not completely, ignored in plenty of bookstores, conferences and radio stations that call themselves “Christian”. There are plenty of Catholic sources live or on line and that’s where I would be focused. Just imagine the narrow gate…

 

[mtolympus]

I don’t want Protestant merchandise in the Catholic stores I frequent, why would I expect it to be different at a Christian bookstore?

The problem is that certain protestant churches have co-opted the term “Christian.” No single denomination can claim exclusive right to the term.

 

[CatholicFireman]

We have this rather large Christian store by us and it has it’s “Catholic section” which is basically four shelves about 3’ wide. We always joke about “the Catholic Section”. We went there when we were new to the area and weren’t aware how abundant the Catholic community is. We are lucky enough to have an actual Catholic store even closer and several in the area.