Atheists & Agnostics
Related: About this forumDoor 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.
Don't they know the proper place for that is the Mall of America?
I figured you would remember that.
Apophis
(1,407 posts)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)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.
That would work but I think that would scare the crap out of my neighbors...
cleanhippie
(19,705 posts)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)"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.
EvolveOrConvolve
(6,452 posts)No need to waste a pitch on someone who's already sold.
defacto7
(13,485 posts)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)Don't EVER tell them you are Jewish. I've tried that. Its like chum to sharks...
AnotherMcIntosh
(11,064 posts)AtheistCrusader
(33,982 posts)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)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)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)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)went to parochial school. Especially Catholic school, like me.
jeff47
(26,549 posts)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)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)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)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.
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)To these people, that is like accepting them.
Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)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)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)"... to an organization supporting atheism, abortion and/or homosexual marriage."
CrispyQ
(36,231 posts)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.