Catholic Apologetics and "The Great Controversy"

[Mrs. Timmy]

Apparently, the Seventh-Day Adventists are making inroads in the little town where I live. Twice recently, I've had the book The Great Controversy by SDA leader Ellen G. White waved in front of me. Catholics here are scarce as hen's teeth; I have to cross two counties in any direction in order to attend Mass. One of the "book wavers" is a member of my Legion post (and, TBH, someone I try not to engage with as I don't think she's in full possession of her allotted marbles).

As I have no interest in reading this book, what is the best way to deflect future attempts to foist this book (or the ideology within) on me? I'm open to ideas.

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

Accept the book, then throw it at the person who gave it to you.

[Mrs. Timmy]

The first time I encountered that book, I didn’t know what to do, so I fell back on J.Dub protocol: accept it to shut them up, extricate myself as soon as civility allowed, then toss it in the trash at the first opportunity. There’s a certain comfort in knowing I halfway did what Fr. recommended.

[gherkin]

Sounds like the problem isn't so much dealing with the book as dealing with the crazy/difficult person who is pushing it. If the person were a bit more reasonable, I'd suggest proposing a deal--you read her book if she reads yours. And then you could pick something good and basic on Catholicism to give her. But if the person's kind of a nutter, then that might just add fuel to the fire.

So...yeah, take it and chuck it sounds about right. Bear in mind, I do not agree with Fr. Kenobi.

[BobCatholic]

I would accept the book and thank her.

Then later throw it in the garbage, knowing that one less person will fall for that book's narrative.