Where do I go with this?

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Vaclav

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I live on a small cul du sac and it is nice because everyone knows everyone else. We are all neighborly and get along rather well. For the most part we tend to help one another out if there is a problem.

We also have a few block parties or get togethers throughout the year. Sometimes they are just spontaneous. (I have a point, I promise). Anyway, religion was never a major topic. Most everyone there is Protestant, some go to church every Sunday, some never go. My wife got into a discussion on religion, no big deal, and everyone tells everyone else what denomination they belong to.

Naturally, I’m the only Catholic (my wife is Methodist).

So we find a book, wrapped in plastic the next day in our mailbox. It is by Ellen White Steps to Christ or some such title. I know exactly who put it there because there is a Seventh Day Adventist couple at the end of the street.

What do I do?

I don’t want it. I’m very, very happy as a recent convert to Catholicism. I have no plan to ever change my faith.

Should I give it back? Should I talk to them about it? I’m not entirely sure what Seventh Day Adventists believe, but I think they really dislike Catholicism.

I’m not one for destroying books, but I’m not sure what to do. I mean, if they really wanted to aim for conversion shouldn’t they come and discuss it, or do Adventists not do that like Jehovah’s Witnesses?

Thoughts?
 
I would take it back and say “no thanks”
They are a persistent bunch. My BF is SDA and as a show of support for his spiritual journey, I have accompanied him to his church. I have met some very nice people, but when I first went I told them " I was born Catholic and will die Catholic. So save the conversion attempts. If you can do that, we can be friends."
Needless to say, we are still partners and they are still my friends.
Kathy
 
This may be a great opportunity to learn what Seventh Day Adventists believe. Read a few books and then return the “gift” you received from your neighbors. This way, if they want to engage in conversation, you know where they are coming from.

Try searching on these boards for seventh day adventists and see what you find.
 
I would also “heap some burning coals” by inviting them over or out for dinner. It’s like giving them your coat and shirt, just like Jesus said.

If you just return the book, they will perceive you as “a mission field.” Head them off at the pass–treat them like “friends.” It’s nice to have friends nowadays.
 
I would make a point to ask them if it was them who gave you the book the next time you see them. Thank them for their well intentioned offer and offer them a book (hand it to them) that speaks about the Catholic Church. (I am sure many here can offer you adequate titles).

Tell them you will read their book, if they read yours so that a discussion can take place about each. If they accept, read that book so you can discuss it. If they decline, give the book they gave you away to any used bookstore, and read the one yourself you bought for them.
 
I would see the book as a gift and do with it what I want to. In my case, I would toss it.

I personally don’t enjoy getting into debates with non-Catholics about our respective faiths. I’m very happy being Catholic and can’t imagine ever being anything else. I don’t hide my faith and if someone wants to know something about Catholicism I’m more than happy to explain.

My guess is that these people are not interested in sharing about their faith and learning about yours. They want to convert you, pure and simple. Why put yourself in the position of having to defend yourself?

I admit that I’m non-confrontational. Some Jehovah’s Witnesses came to my door the other day and started talking. I asked if they were Jehovah’s Witnesses and they said yes. I said “thank you, I’m not interested.” They tried to start talking about their faith again and I said a little more strongly “I said I wasn’t interested. Thank you. Goodbye.” They got the message.
 
Return the favor. Maybe “Catholicism and Fundamentalism” by Karl Keating.

By all means read it and find out what they believe and prepare yourself for defense of the faith. This could be a great opportunity for you to learn more and possibly bring others into the Catholic Church.
 
I would peruse it - glean what you can from it and thank them for the gift and let them know how much Catholics do enjoy learning more about other religions and their philosophies.

Then tell them how handy it came in when you used to kill an insect, steady a wobbly table, start a flame for the BBQ pit, etc. - you know - handy stuff like that. Smile - meant to be funny - not mean.
 
Thanks all for the advice.

We’re actually having a get together tonight for the 4th. I rather like the idea of exchanging a Catholic book for their Adventist book.

I have no problems reading books from other faiths (I studied quite a few at university). I think I will read it just to see what Adventists think and believe.

I suppose I just find the whole incident strange. I mean, it would never occur to me to leave a Catholic book in the mailbox of any of my Protestant neighbours. It just seems to me to be odd behaviour, but perhaps that is how Adventists proselytize?
 
I generally put polemical works of heretical sects into the recycle bin at the dump, in the mixed paper section.
 
I would put it up on the shelf with the Book of Mormon and Watchtowers in my closet.
 
Vaclav said:
Thanks all for the advice.

We’re actually having a get together tonight for the 4th. I rather like the idea of exchanging a Catholic book for their Adventist book.

I have no problems reading books from other faiths (I studied quite a few at university). I think I will read it just to see what Adventists think and believe.

I suppose I just find the whole incident strange. I mean, it would never occur to me to leave a Catholic book in the mailbox of any of my Protestant neighbours. It just seems to me to be odd behaviour, but perhaps that is how Adventists proselytize?
Click to expand...
You might find these articles from Catholic Answers helpful:

catholic.com/library/seventh_day_adventism.asp

catholic.com/thisrock/1997/9705conv.asp

catholic.com/thisrock/1993/9312chap.asp

catholic.com/thisrock/1997/9705convsb.asp

catholic.com/library/is_catholicism_pagan.asp

You might even want to print out one or two for your neighbors. 🙂
Godspeed!
 
You just might want to mention that putting any matrials other than mail in a mailbox is a no no.
Check with your post office to be sure, but I think this is correct.
Prague
 
Ask them to give you a copy of Arthur S. Maxwell’s book, Your Bible and You. The pictures are really gorgeous, if you like Norman Rockwell-like stuff, whatever kind of art that is. They look like photographs of Jesus in various situations.

I don’t know where we got it, but I had this book when I was just a little kid. I read it and loved the pictures. The SDA stuff didn’t phase me. I knew what was right and wrong. You will, too. There’s some junk in there, but I like the pictures enough to ignore the junk.
 
Pjs2ejs said:
I would put it up on the shelf with the Book of Mormon and Watchtowers in my closet.
Click to expand...
That’s funny—that’s where my brother-inlaw said he put the book the Catechism of the Catholic Church that we gave him.:o
 
Verisimilitude said:
I would make a point to ask them if it was them who gave you the book the next time you see them. Thank them for their well intentioned offer and offer them a book (hand it to them) that speaks about the Catholic Church. (I am sure many here can offer you adequate titles).
Tell them you will read their book, if they read yours so that a discussion can take place about each. If they accept, read that book so you can discuss it. If they decline, give the book they gave you away to any used bookstore, and read the one yourself you bought for them.
Click to expand...
Hi
I think your suggestion is reasonable and friendly.
Thanks
 
Personally, I would read it and find the issues that are somehow conflicting with reality. Then I would open a conversation with them concerning the issues, always being friendly and treating them a brother christians.

Sub
 
Read it, save it. Analyze it and challenge your own ability to defend your faith from the falsity in it.

Keep updated and informed about their beliefs.

👍
 
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