How do I deal with inappropriate proselytism?

[franpitre]

I just called a local Christian bookstore because I am in the process of promoting a book I just published. When the bookstore owner asked me if I was a Christian, I said, “Absolutely. My book is a true story based on my life and how I came to be the mother of three wonderful sets of twins through God’s grace!” I told him that I am a Catholic and told him my parish, which is also my childrens’ school.

He then said, “Great, may I ask you some questions?” I naturally concluded that he wanted to ask about my book. But he asked, “Do you think that once a person becomes a Christian, he or she is always then a Christian?” followed by: “If a person falls away from God and sins, will he or she then go to hell?” and finally: “Once a person is saved, isn’t he or she saved for all eternity?”

After I answered, doing my best to give the Catholic understanding, this gentleman went on to say: “Your Catholic Church teaches you the wrong information.” He went on to quote various Scripture verses, then said, “And this is only taught in the Baptist church, and is why you must leave the Catholic Church and become a member of the Baptist church.” My stomach turned, and I felt like I was attacked, and (immaturely) I simply said, “No, I won’t. The Catholic Church is the first Church established by Christ himself and I will not leave it,” then rudely hung up. (I know, not too polite!)

So, please give me some foundation upon which I can counter this common question!

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

It seems that the problem you have here is not just how to deal with inappropriate proselytism, but how to do so in a way that doesn’t alienate someone you would like to help you sell your work.

You are absolutely correct to assume that the questions the man wanted to ask should have been about your book, that he was wrong to spring on you questions about your faith, and that he was wrong to urge you to leave the Church. But, if you hope to sell your book through Christian bookstores, which are mainly Evangelical Protestant, then you may need to work up an upbeat, non-confrontational approach to such attempts at proselytism.

I recommend that you avoid entering into debates during these calls. If someone asks if you are Christian, the response you gave was fine. But if there are follow-up questions about your faith, you might give an embarrassed laugh and say, “I’m sorry, you caught me off guard. Those are great questions, and I’d love to answer them for you, but I don’t want to take you away from your customers. Tell you what: I’ll send you a press kit for my book and enclose some articles that will answer those questions. If you’ll give me your name [assuming he hasn’t already done so], I’ll mark the package to your attention.”

If you obtain agreement, then send him a package of promotional material for your book, a few tracts on salvation from Catholic Answers’ web site, and a cover letter presenting your book and the enclosed materials he agreed that you could send him. If you don’t obtain agreement, then just say, “Thank you for your time. God bless.” And then hang up.