Is it wrong to throw out a Protestant tract?

[ChestertonFan]

I apologize if this is in the wrong forum. I wasn’t sure where to post it.

My question is this: The other day, I went into the restroom at work (I work in a large office complex that houses many companies) and noticed a tract on the counter. I picked it up and it was the typical protestant “4 steps to salvation” tract. I proceeded to throw it out.

Later, I had mixed feelings about whether or not this was the right thing to do. I did it because, even when I was a protestant (I am a convert), I was turned off by this kind of evangelism. Now, as a Catholic, I feel even more strongly that these tracts are often trite, shallow, and at best, an incomplete and erroneous presentation of the gospel. I felt it was wrong to give someone false hope or an incomplete or distorted version of the truth.

After I threw it out, however, I kept thinking that maybe the might have got someone thinking about their soul, even if it wouldn’t have “saved” them. Was this a bad idea? Should I have left it alone?

 

[VicTorDominican]

After I threw it out, however, I kept thinking that maybe the might have got someone thinking about their soul, even if it wouldn’t have “saved” them. Was this a bad idea? Should I have left it alone?

It didn’t matter what you did with it, for two reasons. First, saving people is God’s problem, not yours, and if there’s anyone out there to be saved, God will get the job done through some other means. Second, the tract could have led him to Protestant fundamentalism instead of the truth!

 

[Jim_Dandy]

Such tracts spread the heresy of instant salvation, so you did the right thing.

 

[Perplexity]

It seems presumptuous to think God doesn’t use these tracts to bring people to himself. On the other hand, your act of throwing it away is included in God’s providence. Surely, God wouldn’t make people’s salvation contingent upon your decision to leave a tract on a bathroom counter. I think he values souls more than that. hm, so I guess I don’t think it matters.

 

[christianley]

It is definitely wrong to just throw it in the garbage. You should have put it in the recycling bin.

 

[runningdude]

If it were a single tract, it was probably already discarded and can be safely thrown away.

It it were a whole pile set up for distribution, it would be better to check to the buildings management, in case the group got permission to distribute the tracts. If not, then the management can dispose of them and take steps to prevent future distributions. If they did have permission, it would be best to either ignore tracts entirely, OR get permission to distribute Catholic tracts as well.

 

[Black_Knight]

No you didn’t sin. I’ve never been a fan of tracts in rest rooms. It just doesn’t seem right. By a water fountain…okay.

One thing that you might consider is carrying a few good Catholic Tracts, like the ones from Grotto Press. They are inexpensive, clear and concise, and what art there is is decent.
God’s peace,

 

[kmuestwin]

I apologize if this is in the wrong forum. I wasn’t sure where to post it.

My question is this: The other day, I went into the restroom at work (I work in a large office complex that houses many companies) and noticed a tract on the counter. I picked it up and it was the typical protestant “4 steps to salvation” tract. I proceeded to throw it out.

Later, I had mixed feelings about whether or not this was the right thing to do. I did it because, even when I was a protestant (I am a convert), I was turned off by this kind of evangelism. Now, as a Catholic, I feel even more strongly that these tracts are often trite, shallow, and at best, an incomplete and erroneous presentation of the gospel. I felt it was wrong to give someone false hope or an incomplete or distorted version of the truth.

After I threw it out, however, I kept thinking that maybe the might have got someone thinking about their soul, even if it wouldn’t have “saved” them. Was this a bad idea? Should I have left it alone?

When I worked at a grocery store, I would get a lot of tracts. I always threw them away or I said, “No thanks. I’m very secure in my faith.”

Even if I believed the questionable theology that the tracts contained (mostly Chick tracts and SDA tracts) I wouldn’t think that tracts are a good way to get someone interested in God. Most of them include threats and scare tactics.

The best way to teach someone about God is to live a Christian life even when nobody is watching.

 

[Church_Militant]

When I worked at a grocery store, I would get a lot of tracts. I always threw them away or I said, “No thanks. I’m very secure in my faith.”

Even if I believed the questionable theology that the tracts contained (mostly Chick tracts and SDA tracts) I wouldn’t think that tracts are a good way to get someone interested in God. Most of them include threats and scare tactics.

The best way to teach someone about God is to live a Christian life even when nobody is watching.

A very good point. Tracts are sometimes an excuse for impersonal faith sharing. If one really wants to draw others to Christ, you have to live out our most holy faith, then anything that you share has power behind it. If you are not willing to invest your own life in the life of the person you are sharing with, then one may as well shut up.

Remember the parable of the Good Samaritan…

 

[GraceSofia]

When I worked at a grocery store, I would get a lot of tracts.

This seems strange to me. You mean people just came up to you when you were working and thrust them into your hands? Customers? Co-workers?

 

[kmuestwin]

This seems strange to me. You mean people just came up to you when you were working and thrust them into your hands? Customers? Co-workers?

Customers would give them to their cashiers or try to be slick and hide them on the register so other customers might see them. It was strange and kind of rude but that’s how a lot of people think evangelism works.

 

[VicTorDominican]

Customers would give them to their cashiers or try to be slick and hide them on the register so other customers might see them. It was strange and kind of rude but that’s how a lot of people think evangelism works.

Apparently they think they’re setting up a conversion experience that goes something like…

“…so there I was, with the entire bottle of pills lined up on the bathroom countertop, when I looked up and there was this tract someone left behind…”

“…as I was flipping through the in-flight magazine, a little booklet fell out into my lap; I was bored, so I read it and…”

“…so when it came our turn to pay our toll, the toll-taker said the car ahead of us already paid for us and said to give us this booklet; it was one of those hokey salvation tracts, we made fun of it, and it ended up under my seat. Five years later I was cleaning my car getting ready to sell it, when I came across that booklet again…”

 

[GraceSofia]

Customers would give them to their cashiers or try to be slick and hide them on the register so other customers might see them. It was strange and kind of rude but that’s how a lot of people think evangelism works.

Hhmmm. Doesn’t seem like it would be very effective. I have a dear, elderly Protestant aunt who includes these tracts in cards all the time, but I thought – I hope – she just gives them to relatives.

 

[Church_Militant]

Hhmmm. Doesn’t seem like it would be very effective. I have a dear, elderly Protestant aunt who includes these tracts in cards all the time, but I thought – I hope – she just gives them to relatives.

Some folks include them in their bills when sending payments. How well does that work?

Tracts are worthwhile so far as getting information out and can diffuse situations where discussion is too heated or difficult.

I knew a guy who was always arguing with me about the faith. Finally I got hold of a great tract from Our Sunday Visitor called Top Ten Questions Catholics are Asked and took it to him and said, “Look, you and I cannot talk about this right now, but I found this and wanted to share it with you because it answers some of the stuff you have been saying. I only have this one copy, so I want it back but keep it for now and I’ll come get it in a week or so when you’ve had plenty of time to look it over, okay?” He agreed and I made myself scarce for 9 days while I prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet novena for him.

When I went back to get it back he was very different and told me. “Come, sit down here. this is very interesting and I want to talk to you about it.” The last I saw of him, he was studying everything he could get his hands on about the Catholic faith. We’ve lost touch, but I still pray for him.

 

[GraceSofia]

Church Militant,
Well, that turned out well. That was a good idea to tell him you wanted it back.
Looks like a good tract. I should get a few because in all honesty, I do not do well in real life when Protestants start attacking the Church. I have no patience with people who won’t actually listen and learn.

 

[Michael_Francis]

Thanks Grace.

Still there have been times when ya just have follow Our Lord’s counsel.
Mark 6:11
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you; going forth from thence, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony to them.

 

[Church_Militant]

Thanks Grace.

Still there have been times when ya just have follow Our Lord’s counsel.
Mark 6:11
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you; going forth from thence, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony to them.