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

[Southernbelle]

I'm usually a very modest person, but the last time these folks came to the door, I happened to be breastfeeding my baby so I answered the door nursing him while making no effort to be discreet. They started walking backwards very quickly.

My dog was by my side growling like she meant business, too. She doesn't like strange men.

 

[Wifezilla]

Signage. If the signs are ignored, call the police. Press trespassing charges. Get a restraining order if you have to. Nobody should feel bad about trying to peacefully enjoying their home and property without someone bugging them. As for the "help" issue, unsolicited help is not help at all. It is done for the needs of the offerer. NOT the "recipient", which makes it an incredibly selfish act and not help at all.

 

[ChooksinChoppers]

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Thankyou! finally another voice of reason!

 

[NGT ANGL]

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[ebwy2]

my response usually depends on their attitude and how busy I am.

first off I say "this is a pagan household" and indicate towards the large pentagram by the front door
sometimes that's enough.

what happens next depends on their attitude to me.
if they're nice enough then I'm nice back and explain that I have a vast knowledge of the bible due to it having been part of my life for more than 25 years in the past and simply can't believe the same as them and that I respect their reasons and the fact that they care enough about total strangers to do what they're doing and have a nice afternoon and goodbye. I know they're there out of a sense of love or concern, and I thank them for it even though I think they're in error. To do otherwise would be like telling someone who stopped to see if I was ok if I fell in the street to "<bleeep> off" - there's just no need to be rude to them.

if they are rude or pushy, I push back. And since I've read their bible and studied it and know far too much about it to be convinced of it's "truth" and can speak christianese fluently... the more they push the more I ask them for answers they can't give about the inconsistencies in the bible they're basing their beliefs on. And if they beleive the bible because it tells them it's the truth well... to me that's a circular argument with no basis. And eventually they either see that I do know what I'm talking about and have made my decision as a well-informed person and go away... or I tell them to go away and look for answers to the questions I've asked and come back when they have them ... and they go away (none has come back with answers yet)

the ones who tell me I worship the devil... well if I did, I'm sure I'd know about it. My gods don't demand worship, just respect. I don't believe in a devil, so nope, can't worship something that doesn't exist. And I'm not headed to hell... the only hell that exists is in norway, apparently it's a nice place but since I don't have a passport I'm not headed there.

the ones who really get me angry are the hypocrites who don't know their own religion. telling my christian friend that the celtic cross necklace she wears is a pagan symbol (uh.. no. it's a christian one, you moron. and that was a pastor!). telling me I'm closed-minded (hello pot, this is the kettle calling...)

the worst one - told me I was a bad mother raising my baby for Satan. you do NOT come uninvited into our driveway, disturb my morning, tell me my son is adorable and then criticise my parenting for trying to raise him to respect ALL religions and make his own choice of path when he's older. I don't go to her house around and tell her that she is raising her children to be judgemental <bleeeps> in the name of Thor. She doesn't believe in Thor, and I don't believe in Satan. And neither of us know a thing about each other's parenting style.

all that aside, I don't choose which charities I support by "whoever harasses me will do", I chose by my own conscience and based off my own research. So I'm for sure not going to chose my beliefs for religion or politics by "well these people knocked on my door once" either!

 

[bullyforme]

I don't understand why one would need to be so forceful (i.e., threatening with police or guns), what's wrong with a simple "no, thank you, please don't return"?

Without being overly forceful or even rude, you can tell the person to inform their organization (i.e. Jehovah's Witness, Mormon Church, etc) that you wish for them to not *ever* come again to your house, tell them you are making a note of your request and their organization. They very likely won't come back. (talking from experience).

 

[ChooksinChoppers]

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Hello? anyone listening?

 

[ChooksinChoppers]

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Because they DO keep returning! or another set of them gets sent into your area who dont know the rules.

 

[gmendoza]

check your municode.

our states if we have 4 or more no tresspassing signs visibly posted around our yard,then anyone breaking this,can be arrested for tresspassing.

knowledge is power.

 

[Jeffross1968]

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Wait, so this is harder to believe than the invisible, all powerful being that has always existed, the un-caused cause, who created everything we see and watches over us like...well, like a loved flock of chickens, unless we don't believe or unless we are bad, then we are sent to a place of fire and damnation for all eternity....huh?

Exactly.

And that is the perfect example of faith. Thank you.