Well, you were in a church. If you were in a bar. Someone may have offered you a drink. Just politely refuse it and move on.

I'd put it next to my Book of Mormon as being equally fanciful.

As Alan Watts once remarked, the bible is inspired, but not as a revelation of a supernatural entity, but as insights of mortals as to the human condition as best as they thought to express it.

All the best to you in dealing with your grief. Think of their gesture as no more troubling than a "Bless you" after you sneeze. It's not as if we fear their so-called revealed knowledge.

You politely say no thank you.

Read it. I have highlighted all of the sex scenes.

Take it into your hands and then yell, "It burns! It burns! What have you done to me!". Then drop it on the floor and frantically run out the door. You know? Just for levity. Or maybe not.

Take it. It can always be used in an emergency to roast marshmallows or heat coffee.

Culd always use it as toilet paper in a pinch.

The last time I was in a church, it was a wedding. While waiting for everything to start, my friend picks up a bible and starts looking through it. I leaned over and said, "he dies on page 327".

Send it to me. Someday I want to read one from cover to cover and annotate all the errors.

If you have already read it tell them what you got from it.But be careful with your opinions,I have found religious people to be easily offended. If you havent, read it. Its a worth while experience and a chance to get a real perspective. I was brought up reading the bible for the sabbath. I found it to be nothing more than a book of superstition,fiction and fables, some nice sentiments and crazy conundrums,but at least I can say I've read it. Life is an adventure of experiences challenge them all.

" I prefer national geographic" wouldn't go down too well unless she was thinking of boring you to sleep. [ pretty hard reading to say the least]

those flimsy sheets make good rolling papers in a pinch!!

If you had read it before, I would say politely refuse. BUT if you don't already have a copy, it is known as "The Atheist's Handbook" for a reason. Every atheist ought to have one, just for laughs if nothing else. BTW, most christians have not opened one in their life either. They just take their preacher's word for what it says.

Thank them and use it as a resource to show just how wrong a belief in God is.

I would turn it down.

I have a collection of religious books, and a bunch of different bibles. If it is one I already have, I would just say,"I have this version, thanks anyways." I don't think people often give people things to be mean.

Or...
You could look the person dead in the eye and say...
"No thank you, I've eaten already. Couldn't eat another bite."
And try to keep a straight face while the look of dumbfoundment washes over them.

Oh, I've read that book. Not a patch on Agatha Christie.

Take it, read it, then return asking the really uncomfortable questions that the book legitimately would prompt.

I have several Bibles in my house. One I keep handy to look things up, if I feel the need. It's one my grandmother gave to my older brother who passed away when he was 18. It has an inscription in her handwriting. I keep it for sentimental reasons. I see it as a historical type book and to look up things to see if it really says I'm being told it says.

If you have a fireplace, use it to start your fire.

How about, "No thank you. I'm an atheist." You'd do the same if someone offered you a Hindu holy book or the Koran.

I just say thanks and leave it at that. My best man gave me a beautiful bible.It is gold leaf and then in a cedar box. I just looked stunned and had no idea , WTF. I do not want a bible but it was my best man who had recently became a born again. I must add we are no longer even friends as he went down the W bush and Trump path. The bible is somewhere with my ex wife.
Oh the word of god. how it gets going is truly amazing.

I would act confused and wonder aloud how that could possibly help.

I mean, seriously, even if the Bible contained helpful stuff, it's a dogpile of geneology, questionable history, theology, fabulist mythos and outright bullshit. So expecting someone experiencing grief and loss to wade through that to find comfort is really thowing mud at the side of a barn to see if any of it will stick. It makes me question whether the person leading this group is even competent.

Make a good doorstop