they asked me to go to church. . . i felt so darn intimidated, there were 3 adults, and one of them was talking to me, i didnt know how to convince them that i wasnt interested, finally i said that i might go to their church, but i wont. noone is totally sure about death but they think they are. . .


baptists, christians, all religious figures, dont go looking for someone who isnt with your religion, they MAY join but i doubt it, its just that the visit was really intimidating and VERY uncomfortable. death is a mystery, noone has come back from it so noone actually knows. someone help me i need to hear some refreshing athiest views.

Well, if they come to your door, And you really aren't interested, just tell them "Thank you, but I am comfortable with my beliefs."

You can thank them for their concern if you like, and then smile & close the door.

Just because they are adults does not mean you are required to listen to them.

In fact, they are rather inappropriate to try to push their beliefs on a minor. You are a minor, correct?

I too found the group visits unsettling. Having three or four (most we had was six) people all talking at you can be a bit overwhelming. I tried to remain polite, but on occasions the groups felt rather like an invasion force, so I took to closing the door if a simple "I'm not interested" didn't work. I know we're made to feel very impolite if we don't remain to discuss whatever it is they want to talk about, but nobody is under any obligation to stand and discuss religion on their doorstep. I don't take my beliefs to their homes, so I thank them not to bring theirs to mine. That seems fair.

Hubbie, fed up with having his dinner interrupted, or being woken early on a Saturday or Sunday morning, began telling them to bog off in no uncertain terms, and the number of calls decreased dramatically.

I'd be interested to know if these door-to-door religious salespeople actually achieve any results. I think people are either open to the idea of investigating a particular faith or they're not, and if they are they will do it all by themselves, without a personal visit from a sales team. Those who are firm in their beliefs aren't going to be budged by a call. And those who don't care, will continue to go on not caring.

There's a simple thing you can do. Close the door. I don't understand why people have to tell people to bog off or get aggressive.

No thanks

Close the door. End of story. Not sure what the problem is. I think when you invite the conversation in the first place you enter into it.

Also don't open the door the next time you see them.

You could just tell them that you have no attachments to their incarnations of good and evil.

Blah, horrible advice people! When religious loonies come to your door you are a full fledge baby eating Satanist! You should and will scream at them about how Satan will kill them all and torture their souls. You will tell them that only Satan is the path to the kingdom and they should simply "(enter any word of your choosing here) off!"

They're invading your space and comfort for their own selfish desires, do not take kindly to such people.

Haha, just say "No thanks." Mormons and JW's come by all the time. My dad talks with the Mormons, and I handle the JW's. One time they came, two ladies and a boy, and they were like "Hi, blah blah blah, Do you have a Bible?" And I was like "Yep, but not the polluted one that y'all use." She was like "Oh, well, I want to give you this watchtower." I was like "I won't read it." She was like "Well do you believe in God?" I was like "What does that have to do with the watchtower?" She's like "Are you a Christian?" and I was like "No duh." And she was like "Well you know JESUS ISN'T GOD! They're two different people." And I laughed and looked at the kid who was with em "Do you really enjoy this? Or would you rather join Christ and be free from these loons?" The other lady covered his ears and they walked away. Man, if only I could do it again. But, the Mormons scare me. They never stop smiling, and the white shirts, bikes ,and ties are discomforting.


You sure are violent.

Luckily Scientology hasn't really caught on over here (the UK). I would find it difficult to prevent myself from putting them in straightjackets and making them unbrainwashed.

Nah, just answer the door wearing a bloodstained black apron, have black candles and insence sticks all over the hallway, and a supermarket chicken on the chopping board. You have the knife in your hand

"Uh, sorry, can I finish my <insert day> ritual please?"

(And then put it in the oven, they will get bored waiting for the chicken to roast properly.

I like to make the impression that they're not welcome to bother me anymore in the future. So far it's worked.

Only people who are allowed to bother me now are girl scouts with cookies cause well, I'm a sucker for cookies

That's something annoying, when the same people come back week after week and ask the same question. It's like being stuck in the same moment every Sunday morning for a couple of months. Life's too short for such nonsense.

that would be mean, but it would be funny. see the look on their face

You better hope the Mormons/JW's who have been annoying you don't read this forum

As they say, if it's worth having it isn't sold door to door.

Consider the temerity of the likes of that. Knocking on your door in a presumptive posture that you need to become one of "them". Not everyone does this. In fact, if Atheists did it would be quite the comedy. "Hello, I'd like to tell you that nothing loves you but yourself. There is no hell there is no heaven. Nothing saves, except coupons and twice over if you're lucky and they're doubled. Would you like not to follow me to church!?" ~followed by handing over a copy of the Atheists bible. A piece of paper with just those words printed on it~

You'd probably be threatened with Trespassing. Or they'd scream "How dare you!" Or some other insult so as to give you a direct message that you are not entitled to presume such arrogance and assault upon their personal beliefs.

Well, it's not good news when that happens. So you're under no obligation to respect it when it does. This link has a sign you can post on your door so as to send a message before they bother knocking again. Link (found, key wording "no preaching")

Good luck. In lieu of that you could always just refuse to answer the door. Looking through your peep hole you should be able to see what's waiting for you if you do. From then on it's your choice, whether or not you allow yourself to be told you are in need of saving from who you already are. While standing witness to their example as to what they'd wish you to become. That's not tolerance and that's not respect. That's what's knocking at your door. But it's always your choice whether or not to answer.

I often wonder what a door-to-door Deist would say when his prospective convert opened the door. "Do you have a moment not to talk about Jesus? Good. Well, you must decide all by yourself if there's a Creator out there, don't listen to me... whatever you do, don't be enticed into believing by what I say now, and pay no attention to any experience which isn't your own... in fact, please.... erm... forget I called."

I've never actually bought a single thing from a door-to-door salesman.



We installed a peep hole, and everyone who calls is vetted that way now. Although, they used to get me when I was gardening, which is one of the reasons my husband told them to peddle their wares alsewhere. A person should be allowed to enjoy their home/garden in peace.

You would think so wouldn't you?! But some believe they are charged with the task not to think but to obey. So when they read that jesus said preach the gospel, they believe they're charged to do so, whether people like it or not. It's brazen not to have respect for one's fellow man in a century especially, wherein it is impossible for a western citizen to not have heard of jesus. His churches are installed in every town. There are books in libraries, that are allowed to remain on the shelves because the good news is they don't check those out and burn them like they do the other titles they object to. There are bookstores, there are even billboards advertising christ and television programs dedicated to ministry. The intention, it seems, is to convert the whole world to one way of thinking. Which implies no one else has got it right.

It can be interpreted in fact to be a bit of desperation that compells the zealous. While traveling I've actually seen religious tracts in bathroom stalls! Right on top of the toilet paper dispenser, which having a quirky sense of humor never ceases to crack me up when the dispenser happens to be empty. What's to do for a wipe instead!? Ahhhh salvation in two ply!

it is very simple (yes, I have done it). they knock on the door, I politely ask them to wait, with the door wide open. I come back with a cup of water. I throw the water on their face, and say "now you are truly baptized. If you come back again, it will be urine," this really works, I promise.

Open the door naked and invite them in for a cup of herbal tea.

If Mormons are coming to your door, you can call the local church and ask that no one come by anymore. You may be able to do the same with JWs. Results will vary with trying that with the less organized groups.

I want them to go away... one look at my bod and they'd never want to leave.

Ahhh I can see it now. There's all these salvation door to door salesmen, lined up at Shadows house. All the neighbors whisper behind their hands; "Wow! They must really be a house full of sinners, to attract that kind of salvation attention." An Atheist walks by that happens to know you and says back, "No, it's just the chic that lives there is really hot!"

I have a mormon temple up the street from me, so the missionaries come by fairly frequently. Each pair basically comes by once. I open the door, I am polite, I let them know that I'm comfortable with my faith, offer them a bottle of water, and send them politely on their way. There's no need to get snippy or nasty with them. Yes, our beliefs are very different, but since they're polite and kind, I will return that same consideration. If they get aggressive (never has happened) I'd just firmly say "no thank you, I'm not interested" and close the door. Easy.

I think the only door to door person that's ever got into my face (and he tried to put his foot in the door to stop me from closing it) was an environmental activist gathering signatures for some initiative I didn't support. I had to tell him, "remove your foot from my door or I'm calling the police, do not come back here" He left. That was pretty easy too.

**shrug**

Funny thay always run away when I do that.

Just put one of those signs on your door that says "No Agents, Peddlers, or Solicitors".......The actions you described fall under either one of those catagories.

These peddlers of religion are actively recruiting in order to fill congregations. I've seen it in action, where an individual brings a new recruit to the church, and the recruiter is congradulated (patted on the back) for turning this new person onto their church.

There was once, but now defunct, pyramid sales program called Amway.......it is this that I find the recruiting of religious adherents similar.

Mind you there are alot of religious adherents that go door-to-door regardless if they feel that they are going to recruit someone.......they are simply witnessing.......they cite a specific passage that they feel commands them to come into your home and roll the holy!

Telling them you will go to church, may well just be an invite for them to return and you will find yourself once again in that akward situation

Easy..shut the door..or dont answer it...

When I hear a knock on my door, and look out and see 2 - 3 people that look like preacher type people lol..I dont answer it....

you put a sign out that says ' no peddling or preaching allowed' . if they come to the door you ask them why they haven't learn to read.


this is a visual joke, but I know you all have great imaginations.

'why do Jehova's witnesses have inverted nipples ?'

















you saying to them " GET OFF MY PORCH ! " while poking them in the chest with your index fingers.

better of course in person.

don't think that telling them your gay would make them go away. it only makes things worse. Kinda the same for the idiot guy who keeps asking you out at work and doesn't understand the word no . it only makes it worse. both think all you need one good one .( I can buy better lol)

( yet the guy tends to shut up when you tell him you have a gay friend that can give him one good one as well and that's all he would need.)


and Amway is horrible. they are based here in Michigan. what a rip off.

LOL if i went door to door to preach my faith ...I would dare say there would be a bunch of doors with all signs saying NO BM'S ALLOWED But see when preachers say - It will only take a few mins of your time,..it dont...but when i say I will only take a few mins of your time, I would have my faith preached BEFORE they could reach for the knob to shut the door on me AH HA HA DONE AND DUSTED!!!

I think that's one thing that makes door-to-door preachers persist... they think they can give you whatever it is to set you straight (pardon the pun), in a way that nobody has given it to you before... like the guy who thinks he can lurve you out of being gay. Apparently they have tricks you ain't seen before... and if they can just hit the right spot you'll believe.

The more you resist the more of a prize you become.

There's another issue of concern as well. Personal safety. What better way for a burglar or someone intent to do you harm, to gain access without force, by knocking and offering to tell you about jesus!? Word of warning, don't let anyone you don't know that comes to you, in your home. They can look like the nicest person in the world, but once that door closes your in your own house, with a stranger, anythings possible. And you have to be able to get to your phone, so as to dial 911 and save yourself from what you let through the door.

Here they had a spate of "Home Invasions", as they tagged them in the press. These psycho's aren't there to rob you, they're there to hurt you. They break in the house and destroy you and your family, just because they can. So just a word of caution. They might have a copy of "The Watchtower" (a JW publication) in their hand, or a bible, but either are easily accessible to wolves in sheep's clothing, just so they can gain your trust to get through the door.

scary thought. that's why I tell my gran to NEVER open the door if it's someone she doesn't know. I'm here so most times if someones at the door she calls me , but she worries me. she isn't one for following rules.

how about the soliciting at the checkout at blockbuster, i speak up unlike True I said" please stop soliciting me it's on the door .. "all the people in line agreed ....

They tried to sell their wares at Blockbuster? Cripes, is nowhere sacred. I used to be an antique dealer, and when we did fairs we'd sometimes get women (it was always women for some reason) who'd come to the stand and engage us in conversation, and they'd try to get the subject onto spiritual things. Next thing you know they're talking about their faith. We had one woman in particular who used to head straight for me because she said I was intuitively spiritual and showed great potential . It was a problem because she put real customers off. In the end you've got to ask them to leave... they'll stand and talk to you all day if you don't. It's a strange place to try to sell god though, at an antiques fair.

That's what I mean. Just don't get into it with them. I don't. I say "Oh no sorry and close the door"

I agree with Shadow, if you start talking to them they will come back because all the other people have closed the topic by not engaging in it.


That would piss me off having someone at a stall while I'm trying to do business. A stern "Take it elsewhere" should work.

yep by the employees.....it does put people off.....

we don't get momons around here , although I've seen them. JW's around here don't tend to take no , not intreseted as a clue to stop.
and for years they kept coming. you would think you'd get the message of go away .

IF you tell a Jehovah's Witness you've been disfellowshipped they are not allowed to talk to you.

Try that


Do you shun former members?

Those who become inactive in the congregation, perhaps even drifting away from association with fellow believers, are not shunned. In fact, special effort is made to reach out to them and rekindle their spiritual interest. If, however, someone unrepentantly practices serious sins, such as drunkenness, stealing or adultery, he will be disfellowshipped and such an individual is avoided by former fellow-worshipers. Every effort is made to help wrongdoers. But if they are unrepentant, the congregation needs to be protected from their influence. The Bible clearly states: 'Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.' (1 Corinthians 5:13) Those who formally say they do not want to be part of the organization any more are also avoided. What of a man who is disfellowshipped but whose wife and children are still Jehovah's Witnesses? The spiritual ties he had with his family change, but blood ties remain. The marriage relationship and normal family affections and dealings can continue. As for disfellowshipped relatives not living in the same household, Jehovah's Witnesses apply the Bible's counsel: "Quit mixing with them." (1 Corinthians 5:11) Disfellowshipped individuals may continue to attend religious services and, if they wish, they may receive spiritual counsel from the elders with a view to their being restored. They are always welcome to return to the faith if they reject the improper course of conduct for which they were disfellowshipped.

http://www.jw-media.org/beliefs/beliefsfaq.htm

I haven't even caught a whiff of a mormon since I was a kid. We had a gang of JWs when I lived in Bath who were very hard to get rid of... they used to hang around our front door (it was on a wide georgian street and opened out onto the pavement) and press the intercom buzzer over and over, which was a pain in the bum.

The nut who lives downstairs chases door-to-door people away with his broom.

Oh about once, maybe twice a year, I'll get the JW's at my door. They're not even a problem in my opinion. I just tell them thanks but no thanks and if they start to talk more, I just say thank you again, and quietly close the door. I think I've only had to do that once and it was when I was a teenager.

But then again, I live in a predominately non-religious area so I only have a handful of experiences in this kind of thing. I don't think I've ever been approached with a religious idea or question in public. There are a group of kids that go to Northwest Bible College which is about 3 miles from my house, but they never bother anyone--About the most visible they are is when they meet up at Starbucks to study like any other group. They certainly don't bother other people.

I guess that I just have such a limited breadth of experience with this that I don't give it much thought other than to say thanks but no thanks and people respect that.

I find it interesting too. I don't ever get religious people. Religion hardly ever comes up. We had a JW a while ago and I spoke with him for a bit. I really thought he was a Atheist deep inside. But he left. Then he came back with his wife and we said no thanks. He came back again and we said no thanks and he didn't come back again.

There is interesting book out there called "Ask and you shall receive" and it basically says whatever you focus on in life you tend to draw to you. So I guess people who focus on Christians a lot tend to draw them like flies.

I don't think that when I lived in Bath I lived in a religious area, I think I lived in a religious pocket. You know how salesmen have little areas to cover? I think I just happened to live in a specifically designated area by a local group of JWs. A friend who lived only a couple of streets away never had a single caller. It's like there are religious catchment areas for local churches and church groups.

interesting S. it has been my experince that the mormons only come on a recommendation in california..i live right by a ward they have too much respect to just show up in other words a mormon who is a freind has to give them your address, the JW's are desperate for souls so they go door to door, if you even talk to a JW and dont' know its a Jw they take it as an interest in their religion, gosh at the local starbucks one of the employee's was a JW unknown to me ..but we often talked about art being artists we were friends for a time before i knew and i found out when she broke out the books on a visit....I actaually liked her and listened yet what she had a hard time with is that i too have a path that i delight in and would be sharing it also...... share the floor type of thing...... she flipped out and ran out of my house left her stuff i was running after her to give her her belongings, i think the fact i would even allude to the fact that hers wasn't the only path. was more than she could bare...i made a point to say hello to her after that went out of my way really and asked her when she was coming by ....

OMG, now I know why people keep bringing me broken computers! I was beining to think EVERYONE's computer was broken!

have you read "the amazing power of deliberate intent" by the hick's???

I thought you didn't like taking things OT Sheri? No I haven't.

I can respect the JWs and their conviction... I wouldn't go to folks doors to have the doors slammed in my face.. I would take it personally after a while.. I think I would.

We have JWs all around the place..


I don't have too much trouble though. I just keep my rotts out to roam around the yard, and I don't have too many problems with too many folks wanting to knock on my door (including the JWs)...It sounds mean, but it's the truth.

When I lived in an apartment (flat) in NYC, mine was the first bell they would ring.

I guess the surname "Devine" gave them hope.

Sorry if this has already been said to you, I haven't read through all the pages.

When church goers randomly go knocking on doors or walking up to you on the street, they have no idea of knowing what faith or lack there of that you have. I agree they seem to be overbearing sometimes, but they really don't mean any harm. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't it say in the bible to spread the word of God? If so, this is just their way of being a good follower of their religion. I am a muslim and get visits from the Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons every Sunday or every other Sunday and I don't take offense. I just nod and smile and say "Thank you for your time, you've been very nice."

That's why I'm not rude to them. From working in the fast food industry and telephone service I know how it hurts to be yelled at and called names. I respect them for having such tough skin.

I agree! I do give them the respect, it really says a lot about their faith, again their conviction. How can they not be appreciated for it, and not everyone of said faith is willing to do such a thing..

the bible does say to (go out) and teach the word of God--

If I ever found myself being mean to one (anyone who goes to these measures) I honestly don't think I could live with myself. Yea, I would feel like crap.




Btw, I had a telephone job once for the newspaper, I went home about everyday and cried... PMS five days a week, that's how I felt.

I didn't last a month.