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

[Wifezilla]

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"?

Because they don't take NO for an answer! They do NOT respect you or your wishes. It's all about their beliefs and their quest.​

 

[justuschickens59]

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Because it is different people from the same church, or different churches that keep coming and coming and coming, and they come once a month or so. I will say that I have never had JW or Mormon's come here - it's always the local churches. My husband and I both have asked them to spread the word to other members of their church and to other churches that they are NOT welcome on our property and the sheriff will be called if they come. They still come and ignore our posted signs.

We live in the Bible Belt and the problem we have is that the churches in our area know we are Pagan and they just keep coming out here to help us "see the error of our wicked, heathen ways and repent." Seriously, this is what they tell us. A simple "no thank you" does not work with these people. Some of these people have gotten so angry when we have told them that we aren't interested in being "saved" that the veins stand out on their necks and forehead and they get all red in the face and yell and shout really ugly things at us. No thanks - that kind of "love" and "caring concern" isn't for me.

 

[Laurajean]

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I don't think any of us mind any group talking about their beliefs. I think what we mind is them trying to do it at our house, and on our time. I don't mind at all if they go discuss their religion with someone who is interested. And YES, they ARE RUDE when they stop by after I have repeatedly told them not to. That absolutely is rude. It's the same group that comes every time, I have been polite and asked them not to return, so when they continue to wake me up every other Tuesday, yes, that's RUDE. "Standing up for something they believe in??" Standing up for something they believe in is if I went up to them, started harassing them about being JW's, and they stood up for themselves. They are not "standing up for something they believe in" when they're knocking at my door. THAT'S WHAT I AM DOING: Standing up for what I believe in by telling them no thank you, I already have my own beliefs. How can you not recognize that? And you ask if my time is so valuable that I can't give them 5 minutes... well first of all, yes, it is that valuable when I am asleep and they wake me up every time by coming absurdly early. But second of all, don't you think it would be rather misleading and cruel to give them 5 minutes of my time, pretending to be interested, getting them all excited, when I have no intention of converting? THAT would be mean. As for your last sentence, I am not uncomfortable talking about religion. What I'm uncomfortable doing is having them wake me up at the hour of their choosing for this little chat. Maybe you don't mind standing in your pajamas, half asleep, having just been woken up to discuss their religion, but I do mind. I have major sleep/muscle problems, and I can never get back to sleep after they knock. Then the rest of my day is out of whack because I didn't get enough sleep. So yeah, it's a big deal.

 

[bullyforme]

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Because they don't take NO for an answer! They do NOT respect you or your wishes. It's all about their beliefs and their quest.

I guess I've been fortunate to not have had that experience...they've always taken my "no thanks, please don't return" (maybe because I take a pamphlet if they're handing one out?). I've had maybe 3 visitors (in a residential area) in the past few years, all from different churches, and as far as I can tell, none have returned.

 

[bullyforme]

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Ugh! My sympathies...that would be hard to take!

 

[CupOJoe42]

I don't want to be flamed for saying this, so please refrain if you don't agree...

If the OP had posed their question as a salesman coming to the door, instead of unwanted evangelist, this thread might have been less volatile. Everyone has the right to their own beliefs, and we are especially fortunate in the US that we have the freedom to choose what or whom we follow. No one is a "perfect" example of their faith or lack of. There are people out there who "put others off" with their methods of doing almost anything. Just because we don't agree does not give anyone the "right" to insult, attack, reject, or make anyone else feel like less of a person. Some of the remarks made in this thread were VERY offensive to me. I don't have a "religion," I have a "relationship." No matter what that is, I would still help someone or pray for someone in need if I could, irregardless of their beliefs. This forum ties us all together because of our love for many types of poultry. I hate to see divisions made in such a wonderful group, because we can't agree to disagree without hurting each other.

Again, if you want to flame me, please refrain. I am only stating my opinion, not shoving it down anyone's throat, or pointing fingers.

 

[gmendoza]

Heres a solution.............

answer the door.......................NAKED!

 

[Laurajean]

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That's why so many people are agnostic, it takes guts to be an atheist. I'm usually pretty annoyed by agnostics. Either believe, or don't...get off the fence, you know?

Perhaps you should look up the meaning of agnostic. It does not mean undecided or unsure, it means we believe that god's existence and the source of our creation is unknowable. That's a clear position, that's not "on the fence". What annoys me is how people so frequently misinterpret the word agnostic.

 

[redhen]

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I have looked. And MY belief is that the bible is a fiction. One of the greatest/most read fictions ever written. But still a fiction,...written by a mere mortal man with a good imagination.

 

[redhen]

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my step father wears one

I have one of these on my front door....could be why they never even knock!

http://www.amazon.com/Ritual-Magick...TF8&coliid=I1GOAKY18UUBNL&colid=1CEQ71DDTVTWE

OOOh, i LIKE!