Why does my local 'Christian' bookstore contains lots of pamphlets blasting certain Christian denominations?

Question

I can almost understand the anti Islam pamphlets, but anti JW, LDS, SDA (which I am), Pentacostal/Holiness, and Catholic pamphlets I cannot. Maybe It should say Baptist book store instead of "Christian" Bookstore. Or Anti everything but Baptist/Methodist Bookstore. How can it be a "Christian" book store and blast other denominations? They sure don't mind taking our money. What is the best course of action? Boycott, hide the pamphlets, ignore it, confront them?

Answer 1

There was a bookstore similar to the one you describe that I and my family shopped at years ago. I don't remember there being a lot of pamphlets, but I know they had a large section dedicated to books about cults and was perplexed to see how many were anti-Catholic. Even though we were not Catholic at the time, I knew enough to know that Catholics were Christian.
They can't say Baptist bookstore because it isn't just Baptists and the store isn't just for Baptists. There is a vitriolic strain that runs through most of the denominations and is usually even more pronounced in the "non-denominational" churches. More than being for something, these people are against everything else.
To some degree it is a problem of defining beliefs. Each denominational split occurred as the result of disagreement over some issue(s). Some of the issues that have caused rifts have been serious and some have been downright silly. So the question for many becomes, which differences are minor or even matters of preference and which differences are serious insurmountable obstacles? In other words, what makes a person Christian?
A previous answerer mentioned that every denomination's printing catalog includes such things. The difference is that when I go into a Catholic bookstore, I know before I walk in that it is a Catholic bookstore. There will be some books of general Christian interest but I will also find many things that are specifically Roman Catholic. The problem with the store that you mention is that they do a very poor job of targeting their clientele by using a broad term like Christian but then trying to narrowly define it.
I know enough about JW and LDS to know why even reasonable mainline Protestants would strongly disagree with them and wouldn't expect a general Christian bookstore to cater to them. And I know what the anti-everybody else group hates about Pentecostals and Catholics. I don't know much about SDA (other than Saturday Sabbath), but I suspect that alone is enough to put you on their list. Any defense of a Sunday Sabbath is extra-biblical and it's easier for them to tell you you're going to hell than to acknowledge just how many of their beliefs and practices pre-date the reformation. I remember when we still belonged to a Protestant Church, someone tried to explain to me that Sunday worship and Sola Scriptura fit together because Sunday was the seventh day of the week but the Jews had screwed it all up with an eight day system of calculating weeks.

As to what you should do about the bookstore in question, my first suggestion would be to shop somewhere else if that is a possibility. If the bookstore is a chain or part of a larger entity, you could contact somebody higher up the chain to air your concern/complaint. If it is an independent, you could talk to the owner(s) if you know enough about your own faith to adequately defend it. Don't expect any great changes from such a conversation but you might at least get them to think about their position.

+Peace be with you+

To monsieurbabyturtle: I know what you mean about the Eastern Orthodox churches not being singled out. Most Protestant Americans don't even know they exist. Some people came to speak during missionary week at a Baptist church and talked about preaching in Russia and planting churches in a mid-sized city that didn't have a single church. During Sunday school everyone was talking about what great work these people were doing and wasn't it sad that these poor Russian people didn't have a single church. When I asked, "What about the Russian Orthodox Church?" I got a dozen blank stares. At that time I was in semi-regular correspondence with somebody from that part of Russia and I knew that the Orthodox Church had survived the years of Soviet oppression and many people in that area were very glad to be able to openly practice their faith.

To GRANNYOF5: we also have a Family Christian Bookstore near us. When we first moved to the area I don't recall seeing anything Catholic (nor anti-Catholic for that matter). 6 or 7 years ago they carried a few things like what you describe. Now, they have a small corner of the store dedicated to Catholic items. The growth in floor space corresponds to the growth in the Mexican population where I live. Even my local Wal-mart carries a few decidedly Catholic items (especially around Easter).

Answer 2

Seventh Day Adventists (to the above user).

It's unfortunate, but that's how they do things. They believe that such denominations are non-Christian, and are ostensibly in danger of "Hellfire". Therefore, they produce easy to read resources on why the store's home denomination is correct, and the other denomination's beliefs are incorrect. You'll find these sort of pamphlets in every denomination's printing catalog, including JW (most certainly), LDS, and probably your own.

Every denomination believes what they believe for a reason, and they believe it is their duty to protect their flock from misinformation spread by other denominations and cultic off-shoots.

My own religion, Greek Orthodoxy, is never really singled out (because it's more common and Western counterpart, Catholicism, has been the target of criticism by Protestants of all sorts since the Reformation), but I find that many of the arguments put forth in these pamphlets are a little misguided (in the case of Jehovah's Witnesses, entirely misguided).

You should definitely confront them about it. Trust me, the other options are inadvisable, and you're more likely to make a splash by speaking to the owner.

On a side note, are they by any chance tracts made by Chick Publications? Those are almost undeniably the worst.

Answer 3

Interesting answer posted above: "a Christian book store would be for Christians who rely on Scripture alone and the pamphlets are probably meant to educate Christians on false teachings of other religions".

Funny, the store in my mall doesn't say that on the sign. It just says ... (Family) Christian Bookstore. No asterisk after Christian indicating a particular denomination or type. And they are happy to sell things to me, even converse with me about such things as Bible translations, without being compelled to inform me about "false teachings" though the small crucifix I wear clearly indicates I'm Catholic.

I did ask a salesperson there one day, after finding the tiny selection of Catholic-oriented books on a bottom shelf (total shelf space, perhaps six inches), why they didn't carry a broader spectrum of Christian books. He was very up-front about it; "our target market is evangelicals, and we only have a few Catholic things here just in case somebody comes in looking for a gift or something".

Since there are Catholic bookstores available, both online and brick-and-mortar, it's not a huge issue with me -- although I am slightly amused to also see framed artwork and many figurines of Jesus at this store which caters to a group that regularly blasts Catholics for "worshipping statues and icons".

Answer 4

JW, LDS do not follow the Bible clearly. Jehovah Witnesses believe that Jesus was a god and the fight over predicting which and when the 144,000 with lead through the tribulation.
Latter Day Saints can open a whole can of worms, starting with Smith and Brigham Young.
I do find it odd that Catholics are not included, most stores I have seen do have reference. Not sure the area, since where I live is predominantly Lutheran.
Look online for some info you need on books. Sometimes you can get a better deal without concern of certain bias.

Answer 5

I can understand the JW,LDS...those are cults with bad Bible theology..... why don't they like SDA??? we are good people!! Bible and the Sabbath, vegetarian....

But since it is Baptist/Methodist....I am not really sure what the burr under their saddle is....have heard more bad stories of their fire & brimstone going to hell chatter that has chased people away from God and into special forces......

I would confront them...it is a Christian Book store that "should be" operating under Christian principals and not through the eyes of the Baptist/Methodist fire and brimstone....

and a good point of chick publications...toss in the trash.....

Answer 6

There are many cults out there and false religions including many of the ones you mentioned that do not follow the Scripture... a Christian book store would be for Christians who rely on Scripture alone and the pamphlets are probably meant to educate Christians on false teachings of other religions.

Answer 7

Christianity is based on faith and trust in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of the world. Those who chose to believe and live by His teachings were first called christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26). Since then people have divided themselves based on different interpretations of and mis-interpretations of the scriptures. There are some who believe that there denomination is the true church. The one thing that binds true christians together is their acknowledement that Jesus is the Son of God and their Savior and Lord, trusting the Holy Spirit guide them in living by the truth of God's word.

Answer 8

Because one hallmark of American "Christianity" is the bad habit of running down all the competition.

Besides, being a shop owner (i.e., a capitalist) is wholly at odds with being a real Christian. Jesus had no use for people out to make a monetary profit!

Answer 9

Could it be because most all conservative apologist consider all those you mentioned as cults? Take a serious look at what those groups believe.
JW's deny Jesus as the Christ-thats anti-Christian
LDS say Jesus and Satan are brothers
SDA say you must be baptized to be saved
.............no need to go farther..

Answer 10

JWs and LDS and SDA are all false cults. They all pretend to be Christian but they are not.

In the case of SDA, Ellen G. White is your false prophet.

I'm sorry you've been deceived.

If you'd like to know more, let me know.

Pastor Art