How do you handle it when someone totally uninivited knocks on your door touting their religion? Now I know people will come to the door selling newspaper subscriptions etc. and I'm polite but firm. Basically "don't waste your or my time" go on and better luck at the next house. I mentioned in a thread earlier that I do not attend church and also do not go knocking on people's doors telling them they shouldn't. Just plain irritates me. So you KNOW what happened today. Yep, got that knock at the door. A couple of kids maybe 13-14. Asked me if I went to church today. My first thought is always "is it any of your damn business?" but also know they are only doing what they are told to do. As one reached for his pamplet I merely responded "no thanks" and shut the door. Sometimes I'm nicer and others I'm just plain mean. It's MY house and I DID NOT INVITE YOU HERE TO DISCUSS YOUR BELIEFS AND WHY I SHOULD FOLLOW THEM. Other times I have actually been quite pleasant before turning them away. Had a Jehovahs witness stop by several times until she got too pushy. Gave her enough rope to hand herself then said BYE BYE. Shame too as she was pretty intelligent but it became an invasion of privacy. I'm 45 and can think for myself. I can also change but it has to come from me not someone knocking on my door. So enough of my rambling I thought I'd post a poll. How do you deal with these situations? clembo
Usually it's just a, "No thank. Not interested." Usually that's all it takes. I once had my landlord show up with a gang of 8 -- yes eight -- other 7th day adventists who wanted to sing to me about their friend "hey seuss." Yes, that's how he said it. None of us were spanish so that seemed a bit odd by itself. They also wanted to give me a loaf of stale bread. I asked them if they would a bit creeped-out if I came to their door to convert them to atheism. One of them was honest enough to answer that he would find it a bit disturbing. Long story rambling: I took their bread but didn't let them sing. So I guess "Other."
Now that's good. I'm not out to blast anyone here - just stay off my porch! There is one that I do use on occasion. When I get the question "Do you know where you're going to go when you die?" I respond Fagan Miller Funeral home most likely. Turns out the owner is one of my mom's best friends. They've been friends for at least 60 years so I figure we'll get a discount.
Just so happens we had the Jehovah Witnesses came by here yesterday. I told them I had already answered Clenbo's question... Take Care Buddy Ben
We (Jen) still got a couple of WatchTower Pamphlets. Very nice respectable couple and probably would have invited them inside if I'd/we'd have known them. As usual with things like this, their arrival happened at a bad time around here as I was rototilling the garden and still had some weed spray all over my hands. No doubt they'll eventually be back. Same magazine, different couple... Ben
Politly ask them to read the no soliciting sign on my front porch then politly say no thank you, and shuit the door if they insist on continuing to talk.
At least most religions are polite and "knock' on doors...you cannot say that for the religion of islam. They mandate that you "convert or else". This religion was never spread by muslims going tent to tent asking if people will convert to islam...it was spread by force. Look it up!
Interesting point and NO I have yet to have a muslim knock on my door. However, if you look back in time to some of the techniques by "Christian" religions they were no better. A little torture or a crusade here and there was just fine. Baptists are the most annoying where I live. Yes, I have some very good Baptist friends. They keep it to themselves as I do. Works pretty well you know? It is their duty to convert as theirs is the only way. Sorry, can't agree with that one. My wife was raised Lutheran, went the Baptist route (before I met her) and last try was Unitarian. As they start to tell you "don't think for yourself just follow OUR interpretation of the Bible" it becomes a problem. This is why I don't attend church. I can't tell you how many times as a child I was "saved" by a Baptist because they put fear in me as a child. Best one was when I was about 12 and starting to wise up. Playing baseball with a few friends. Two Catholics and a Jew. Here they come to save us. Problem was the Jew had other very strong beliefs. Myself and the two Catholics just stood back and watched. Eventually they left and four friends were able to continue playing baseball. You know if they had just said "can we play?" we would have let them. Now, is EVERY Muslim a terrorist that wants to rule the world by force. I think not. Some actually believe what is written in a much purer form. When 9-11 took place Muhammed Ali spoke out VERY strongly against it. This is a man that has pored over the Koran for years and he says what's in there is not the way it's supposed to be. Are Muslims fanatics? Yes, seems a lot but NOT ALL of them are. If I'm not mistaken one of the principles this country was founded on was religious freedom. Several years ago some friends of mine had a few visitors from Northern Ireland spend the summer. My friends are Catholic. The children were a Catholic and a Protestant. THEY were amazed! All of the hate and prejudice they had been fed just disappeared over here. They played together, worshipped as they pleased and became good friends. Damn, what a concept! Now, am I defending Muslims or am I one. Definitely no to the second part. My point is that Muslims have a right to exist here under our existing laws. If we boot out every Muslim does that make us any better? Nope, then we are becoming a theocracy and theocracies don't seem to work too well. If we get rid of all of the Muslims whose next? Shall we "cleanse" the nation of Jews, Catholics, Lutherans etc.? Who would be the "winner" and how would they be better than any Muslim. Something to chew on.
Whatever religion they are with I assume its one that believes in god and human kindness so for the sake of keeping them from becoming aggressive and handing me a bunch of leaflets them i just tell them "I believe in God and being a good person. Now, I am very busy so please take your business else where." I repeat this a couple of times if they insist and they usually leave with a smile and a thank you.
What my dad does is says thank you for coming by, and invites them to come worship with us. Doesn't try to convert them, just invites them. They normally say something like "We'll see" or something, lol. Phoenix
