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TZ

(42,998 posts)
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 12:10 PM Apr 2013

Door to Door bible thumpers.

I wish they'd learn that "No solicitation allowed in this community" applies to THEM too. I had a little family going door to door on Saturday morning trying to get people to start up bible studies at their house. I really TRY to be polite with but after only having woken up a couple hours before and not feeling great, I pretty much interrupted them, said "I'm not interested" and slammed the door in their face". I hate being rude, but goddamn it, this idea that the rules don't apply to them pisses me off.

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Door to Door bible thumpers. (Original Post) TZ Apr 2013 OP
Dumbasses. trotsky Apr 2013 #1
hahahahaha TZ Apr 2013 #3
Pisses me off too. Apophis Apr 2013 #2
Shit, you think that's rude? Warpy Apr 2013 #4
LOL TZ Apr 2013 #6
I find it interesting how the Mormons seem to track "adversarial" addresses. cleanhippie Apr 2013 #17
I think that they track both adversarial and "receptive" addresses. Curmudgeoness Apr 2013 #18
They also skip over suckers who are already Mormon EvolveOrConvolve Apr 2013 #20
I think this is a trick I figured out.... defacto7 Apr 2013 #22
I know one thing TZ Apr 2013 #25
They mistake civility for potential interest. AnotherMcIntosh Apr 2013 #5
Wierd. They haven't bothered my house since I put a NO SOLICITING sign smack dab AtheistCrusader Apr 2013 #7
I live in a mobile home park. RebelOne Apr 2013 #10
Funny story for you, rich with irony.... JNelson6563 Apr 2013 #8
Awesome! bravenak Apr 2013 #9
In think that's why so many Atheists I meet Mr.Bill Apr 2013 #16
My favorite door-to-door story jeff47 Apr 2013 #11
a coworker's husband sort of does the same thing TZ Apr 2013 #13
Oh, you must be one of those Militant Atheists I keep hearing about! Arugula Latte Apr 2013 #12
no signs here Lordquinton Apr 2013 #14
Wrong.....never ever take the pamphlet. Curmudgeoness Apr 2013 #19
Usually I give a no thanks Lordquinton Apr 2013 #21
Their existence does serve one purpose. Mr.Bill Apr 2013 #15
"Any attempts of religious conversion will be answered with a donation..." DetlefK Apr 2013 #23
It's not that the rules don't apply to them, it's that they are already forgiven for breaking them. CrispyQ Apr 2013 #24
I wonder about the effectiveness of a sign on the front door saying, "NOT FUCKING INTERESTED!" Kennah Apr 2013 #26
Maybe try one of these on the door... onager Apr 2013 #27
 

Apophis

(1,407 posts)
2. Pisses me off too.
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 12:13 PM
Apr 2013

When I'm in the mood to mess with them, I'll ask them if they ever heard the good word of Satan. That makes them leave.

Warpy

(110,912 posts)
4. Shit, you think that's rude?
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 12:18 PM
Apr 2013

They invariably leaned on the doorbell right after I'd gotten into some good sleep after a 12 hour night shift and they wouldn't stop because my car in the driveway indicated there was a likely sucker at home.

I can dimly remember flinging the door open and shrieking at the top of my lungs "THIS FUCKING PLACE BETTER BE ON FIRE!" at them.

I got rid of them. The most I've gotten over the past 15 years or so has been a tract hastily tucked into the door jamb followed by a silent and hasty retreat. The Mormons cross the street when they get to my house.

Never underestimate the power of a rabid night nurse who is willing to confront them with rage and a totally off the wall shriek. They do leave. And they stay gone.

cleanhippie

(19,705 posts)
17. I find it interesting how the Mormons seem to track "adversarial" addresses.
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 04:14 PM
Apr 2013

I've been home and watched pairs of young men in white shirts and ties go door to door, but occasionally skipping a house, go to my neighbor, then skip my house and go next door. I've witnessed this happen several times over the past few years.

I can understand why they skip my house, as I had a bit of fun with a duo some time ago that ensured no repeat visits, but what baffles me is this: they have canvassed this neighborhood enough to know which houses are "don't bother, it's not gonna happen", but they keep retiming to the other houses hoping for a different result.

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
18. I think that they track both adversarial and "receptive" addresses.
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 07:45 PM
Apr 2013

"Receptive" means that the people at that address are polite to them. I remember when I was young, the Jehovah's Witnesses were always in our neighborhood. My mother wasn't in the least interested, but she was always nice to them and always took their literature. But they got more and more insistant over time, to the point where she would look out the window, see it was them, and make us be quiet until they gave up and left. She just didn't have it in her to put up with them anymore, but she also did not want to be nasty. And they knew it.

Me, I have no religious visitors. At least not twice.

defacto7

(13,485 posts)
22. I think this is a trick I figured out....
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 03:07 AM
Apr 2013

If you tell them you are Catholic, they never come back. Not sure why exactly but maybe it's that Catholics or I guess other devout believers among Christians are supposed to become the servants and concubines of the next life or planet. I mean, how can you get those new planet chores done without the help? Servants are hard to find, and as for concubines.... well... you know!

Anyway, I said I was Catholic and have never had another visit from the Mormons. I live in Utah.

edit: I'm not Catholic. I lied. Elohim knows what would happen if I told them I was atheist.

TZ

(42,998 posts)
25. I know one thing
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 10:25 AM
Apr 2013

Don't EVER tell them you are Jewish. I've tried that. Its like chum to sharks...

AtheistCrusader

(33,982 posts)
7. Wierd. They haven't bothered my house since I put a NO SOLICITING sign smack dab
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 12:44 PM
Apr 2013

in the center of my screen door, at eye level...

I have seen them, walking alllll the way up the driveway, only to get about 10 feet from the door, then turn around and leave.
If I believed in invisible magical supernatural things, I'd worship that No Soliciting sign for its impregnable magic shield qualities.

RebelOne

(30,947 posts)
10. I live in a mobile home park.
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 01:12 PM
Apr 2013

There is a NO SOLICITING sign at the entrance, but the bible thumpers totally ignore it. When I see them at my door with their bibles in their hands, they do not get a chance to say a word because I immeditately say, "I am not interested. I am an atheist" and then close the door on them.

JNelson6563

(28,151 posts)
8. Funny story for you, rich with irony....
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 12:53 PM
Apr 2013

Some years ago I had begun my quest to get to the bottom of the religion question, once and for all. Through my history studies of the Reformation I had begun to wonder about it all, the different views in Christianity and all of that.

So these JW's come to the door and I talked with them. They are big on the bible, of course. So I met with this gal weekly. She always brought someone along but it was she and I having the discussions. She was a reasonably bright lady, kind & generous, I really grew to care about her.

So on and on go these bible studies. Boy did I ever get familiar with the bible! I came to realize that it was all bullshit and that they (all the sects of Christianity--not to mention all the others) were anything but enlightened or "holy".

So, in the end, I can thank my former JW friend for helping me to achieve atheism through studying the bible.

Funny how it all works out, isn't it?

Julie

 

bravenak

(34,648 posts)
9. Awesome!
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 01:01 PM
Apr 2013

I received my Athiesm similarly, through ritualistic bible study with my mother. But at least we got to spend a lot of time together.

Mr.Bill

(24,104 posts)
16. In think that's why so many Atheists I meet
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 03:52 PM
Apr 2013

went to parochial school. Especially Catholic school, like me.

jeff47

(26,549 posts)
11. My favorite door-to-door story
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 01:42 PM
Apr 2013

A few years ago, I lived next door to some very devout Catholics.

The JW's would come down the street. When they got to the neighbor's house, the neighbors offered them a deal: The JW can talk for an hour, and then they get to talk for an hour.

The Catholic family converted around 80% of the JW's that took the deal. Eventually, the JW's stopped ringing their doorbell.

TZ

(42,998 posts)
13. a coworker's husband sort of does the same thing
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 02:14 PM
Apr 2013

He'd had enough of the JW's so he looked up their website. And other websites that were critical. And when they came he'd invite them in and then start absolutely grilling them. After about 30 minutes of them being interrogated they left. They no longer have JW come to their door. Apparantly, they earned a "reputation"

 

Arugula Latte

(50,566 posts)
12. Oh, you must be one of those Militant Atheists I keep hearing about!
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 02:12 PM
Apr 2013

How dare you not stand and listen politely to whatever spiel they want to give you! You practically rubbed your non-belief in their noses!

No, really, maybe you can add a line to your sign that says something like: "No religious proselytizing, either" or something like that.

Lordquinton

(7,886 posts)
14. no signs here
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 03:02 PM
Apr 2013

for easter the JW were roaming our block and they happened to knock at my door when a perfect storm of distractions kept them safe. My Dutch Shepard was antsy for a walk and being held back, my mp3 player was falling out of my ears, and my mom was calling at the exact time I opened the door, I just took their pamphlet and watched them leave before unleashing the beast.

Lordquinton

(7,886 posts)
21. Usually I give a no thanks
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 09:44 PM
Apr 2013

They just hit on the right moment where it was easier to take it and shoo them, than say no, and have them try again and again. Usually don't even open the door.

Mr.Bill

(24,104 posts)
15. Their existence does serve one purpose.
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 03:48 PM
Apr 2013

Whenever I hear someone talking about "Atheists forcing their agenda on us" I can say "No Atheist ever knocked on my door to try and talk me into not believing in god."

DetlefK

(16,423 posts)
23. "Any attempts of religious conversion will be answered with a donation..."
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 06:56 AM
Apr 2013

"... to an organization supporting atheism, abortion and/or homosexual marriage."

CrispyQ

(36,231 posts)
24. It's not that the rules don't apply to them, it's that they are already forgiven for breaking them.
Tue Apr 9, 2013, 09:29 AM
Apr 2013


My husband always asks if they'd like to come in & share a hit of crack cocaine. They usually back away from the door with worried expressions on their faces. A few will actually laugh. I figure anyone who knocks on my door peddling religion deserves whatever mood I'm in at the moment. I don't knock on their doors on Saturday morning & ask them to consider science & logic.

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