I mean there's no way to "salvage" it, because buying $300 worth of books for intolerant book burning you don't really believe in does reveal you to actually have no principles and to want do a lot just to be liked.

The best thing to say is to explain exactly that and genuinely express that you understand it is a problem and you're working on it, which of course anon couldn't because there's no indication of this level of self-awareness.

But if they would, they might still be shunned, but it is very unlikely imo. Good people understand trauma and appreciate trying to work through it.

Party and burn the books anyway

"Lmao I though you were serious."

"Omg really?"

"Yeah, lol, you want a book on the evils of Christianity?"

"Absolutely, that's hilarious."

yeah i figured it was just a normal party, i got these books for a bonfire or something

could argue theyre antichristian as a joke because of the conversation they had ig

No, just say that you thought the other person was being serious and laugh it off. Maybe tell it to the other party-goers. Heck, give them a book so that you don't need to lug so many books around. They get a laugh and a memorabilia for the story, you get to play it off. People go along with stupid shit all the time, they won't judge you for a single "ok, that's weird but I'll do it" moment.

Honestly, most things are only awkward if you make it awkward.

The key is to start understanding that most laughter is not someone laughing at you or with you, it's just laughter. They're laughing. Laugh too! "I really wanted to make a good impression, I'm so embarrassed!" If you focus on talking about how you feel like you e made a mistake they'd probably even give you sympathy.

In this situation the easiest would simply be like that

"what are in the bags anon..?"
"I...I brought books for the burning."
"Anon I was joking about the book burning"
"Oops" proceed to discreetly put the bag of books back in the car or in a corner and continue the party. Maybe joke about it later in the night when everyone is feeling comfortable and ask if you really thought people would be burning books.

Real life is not like movies, it's full of fuck up like that. You can just let it go and people don't care.

It can become a cute story later when people asked how you met.

Hmm - well you're looking cold... What do you say we have a bonfire - I came prepared!

Act like he went too far with the joke

The problem is that the truth is pretty damning imo, like if they're able to participate in actual book burning they don't believe in and basically burn $300, I wonder what other dishonest thing they would do just to be liked. Not really something you want to be around.

I'd only be fine if they honestly explained that they knew it is a problem and they're trying to fix it.