How do you handle unwanted evangelists who knock at your door?

[Laurajean]

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Well I didn't flee. I just didn't get much advice about my situation.

I HAVE tried discussing my beliefs with them, but of course they don't want to hear that. They're here to convert me, not listen to my views in Buddhism!

Plus, trying to convert is against the nature of Buddhism, we just don't do it. So short of a chat, it's difficult to have much interaction. And quite honestly, many JW books are horribly outdated. Onetime one pulled out a book on other religions and told me that I "worship a false god named Buddha". How do you have a conversation with someone like that? Buddha wasn't a god, never claimed to be, and we don't worship him. I can say that all day long and it doesn't matter because THEIR book says it's true, even though it is not. And I can't keep hiding because of what I mentioned, I need to see who is at the door. I wish they would respect our differences and just stop knocking, but they won't.

Actually,to tell the truth...they are not there to "convert" anyone.They would be happy,of course,should you choose to do so,however,they're worried about giving everyone sufficient knowledge to base their decision on.Sufficient knowledge cannot be given in a few minutes,or even a few weeks.So,they try to give you "food for thought" to see if it gets you thinking about what they are talking about.While JW's would love to see everyone worldwide accept the truth,they know not all will.But the preaching work continues despite opposition because it is the will of God himself and therefore,the JW's are obligated spiritually to fulfill that.As long as they are trying to tell you,that's what matters( for them spiritually)....if you choose to accept it,GREAT...if not...they have still fulfilled their duty to God.
I don't know if that is coming across correctly but....what i mean is...if you accept it as truth...they will be happy...if you do not...they will be sad for you....but in NO WAY does your acceptance/denial of the truth impact their standing before God.So in all honesty, yes,they'd love to see you "convert" but no...it isn't the only reason they go.

Right but I've explained to them that my mother is a Witness, and at least half of my family is too, aunts, uncles, cousins. I spent my whole childhood in halls, so I already know what their truth is, and I don't agree. I may use the term "convert" loosely, I know they are there to spread the "good news", aka truth as they know it, but once I say I was raised by a Witness and am now a devout Buddhist, shouldn't they respect that? It's not their attempt to share that bothers me in the least, it's their repeated attempts after I say no thank you.

 

[saddina]

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What an interesting viewpoint!

LOL, I really mean it.

All those Watchtowers and Awakes getting shoved into doors and people just throw them out. I mean, if someone is interested and reads it, sure, but since I've repeatedly told them I am not interested, it really is just a waste of paper. That's why my door sign says "The trees need saving more than I do". It's true!

It would be more efficient if they had a website with PDFs that could be ignored instead.

 

[Laurajean]

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They do? That makes things a little better

You'd be surprised at how they work....very conscientious about waste and waste management.

They are NOT recycling all the literature they leave at doorsteps, come on.

 

[Laurajean]

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You'd be surprised at how they work....very conscientious about waste and waste management.

I can imagine, they seem like pretty decent people, to be honest.

very persistent, but decent individuals.

Chookies, of course they are decent people, yes! This particular group is just not respecting my repeated requests to be left alone however, and that's what bothers me. But yes, they are ultimately good people trying to do good.

 

[Delta2 23]

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You'd be surprised at how they work....very conscientious about waste and waste management.

They are NOT recycling all the literature they leave at doorsteps, come on.

Not meaning to ruffle any feathers, but.... why don't you?

I would, if I got literature I didn't want, I'd put it into recycling. I can't really bear to see any amount of paper go into landfill, even small scraps

 

[Delta2 23]

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I can imagine, they seem like pretty decent people, to be honest.

very persistent, but decent individuals.

Chookies, of course they are decent people, yes! This particular group is just not respecting my repeated requests to be left alone however, and that's what bothers me. But yes, they are ultimately good people trying to do good.

I guess that's where the 'persistent' part comes in then.

Sorry I can't be of any more help.

 

[NYRIR]

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You'd be surprised at how they work....very conscientious about waste and waste management.

I can imagine, they seem like pretty decent people, to be honest.

very persistent, but decent individuals.

Agreed...albeit they are imperfect and it seems people notice the negatives more easily than the positives usually.Most JW's i know are really good people trying hard to help others.Period.

 

[Delta2 23]

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I can imagine, they seem like pretty decent people, to be honest.

very persistent, but decent individuals.

Agreed...albeit they are imperfect and it seems people notice the negatives more easily than the positives usually.Most JW's i know are really good people trying hard to help others.Period.

Sometimes it does seem like they're everywhere though!
I have good friends who are JWs, I will never look at them badly anyway

 

[NYRIR]

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They are NOT recycling all the literature they leave at doorsteps, come on.

Not meaning to ruffle any feathers, but.... why don't you?

I would, if I got literature I didn't want, I'd put it into recycling. I can't really bear to see any amount of paper go into landfill, even small scraps

No...but the message is more important...and that's where it comes onto the home owner IMO to recycle it then

 

[NYRIR]

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Agreed...albeit they are imperfect and it seems people notice the negatives more easily than the positives usually.Most JW's i know are really good people trying hard to help others.Period.

Sometimes it does seem like they're everywhere though!
I have good friends who are JWs, I will never look at them badly anyway

They are...behind every turn...mwhaahaha....

Seriously, over 7 million and growing every day...