What do you do when religious missionaries come to your door

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

I don't open my door to anyone I am not expecting and didn't invite over. I have a No Tresspassing sign and THREE no soliciting signs, and a door mat that reads "What the hell do you want?"  If someone STILL rings the doorbell, I respond through our security screen door, with my response varying by the time of day and who it is. (I don't yell at kids, but I've been known to yell "NO THANK YOU" to a lot of others. If they still try to sell me something, I start shrieking! GO AWAY! GO AWAY! So far, this has worked.

If I am out front watering or picking tomatoes, I try to resist the urge to squirt them with the hose. I usually just say "No Thank you." If they persist, all responses from me will be in Yoda voice.

"Not interested am I"

"Found Jesus, I have."

"Hellbound are you"

You get the idea. If necessary, I am prepared to start singing some particularly catchy show tunes from "The Book of Mormon" 

[Deleted]

A couple of Jehovah's Witness ladies come by every week.  If I have time we visit, if not we don't and they just drop off literature which I will read when I can.  They are Christian, I am Christian, no problem there.  We don't always see biblical scripture from the same vantage point but what do I know?  Maybe they are right and I'm wrong.  I would also welcome visitors from other traditions if they came by.  Throughout the years I've attended a number of interfaith events and activities and it was all good for me.

[sesfw]

When DD was a teen her best friend was dating a Mormon getting ready for his mission trip. My thought was to ask questions and really find out about his religion..... so I asked. And asked, and asked.

I had him so frustrated he was in tears.  He lasted about 6 months on his mission trip before he got into a fight with his group and came home. Have no idea what happened after that. DD's friend had another boyfriend by then.

[TheOtherMe]

I have no soliciting signs up.  However, unless I know somebody is coming, I do not answer the door.  My friends and family know this so they let me know.

[alabamagal]

Jul 20, 2014 13:14:11 GMT -5 Malarky said:

I'm curious about whether or not they ever actually manage to convert anyone this way.  

Yes it works, that is why they keep doing it.

If I answer the door, I politely tell them I am not interested.

DH used to print a lot of there literature at his old business, so I was never too upset about them handing out stuff.

[marvholly]

I live a 5 minute walk outside Chicago proper. have NOT had the religous bell ringers in a number of years.

That said:
As a senior citizen (I have been on full soc 2 years) I NEVER answer the door if I am not expecting a visitor. I do have 1 friend 2who might ring the bell but I check thru my peep/spy glass thingee. We have had a number of home invasions reported in our town this summer (6?)and it is still july.

[Pants]

Jul 20, 2014 8:24:19 GMT -5 violagirl said:

As one of those religious missionary types, I'd say remember we are people too. Be friendly. I know this concept is difficult for some. 

At the very least a polite but firm I'm not interested is generally enough for us to say ok have a good one and go on our way.

Or you could engage in conversation. I happen to enjoy talking to atheists and if you only knew the things we have seen and heard you can't really shock us. I know we come across as mild mannered innocents but many of us have not always been religious.

so when someone comes to my door I generally invite them in. Come to think of it I even have conversations with people who call the wrong phone number. I an curious about people and how they think.

Ummm... Why? You are here to interrupt my day with something I am completely uninterested in. And while YOU specifically may take a polite but firm "No" as an answer, many people and demoninations do not. So how am I supposed to know which one you are? And no offense, but engaging in this topic is not something I'm interested in. There's no chance either of us is going to persuade the other, and a high likelihood of me getting really annoyed at you for 1) interrupting my day, 2) not respecting my decision-making/information-gathering abilities and treating me like a child who needs to be told "the answers." Why on earth would I talk to you?

[Tennesseer]

Babble in gibberish but sneak in the words "I am Beelzebub."

It is also handy to have a supply of '666' temporary tattoos by your front door.  When you peek through the peep hole and determine the visitors are missionaries, slap a '666' tattoo on your forehead.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Last time I ran into Mormons I spent the entire conversation adjusting my boobs so they wouldn't fall out of my tank top. Those guys turned beet red.

I haven't seen any witnesses in a long time. They used to come by nearly every weekend. The doubled their efforts when my mom told them go away she's Catholic. I said I think you issued them a challenge.

[Green Eyed Lady]

Umm...because it's the civilized and mature way to act.  So somebody interrupted your day?  What did you have planned?  Were you performing brain surgery at 9?  Otherwise, I can't see one good reason to treat people badly. 

I also get annoyed when anyone comes to my home uninvited.   However, I'm not rude.  I politely thank them and go on my way.  I've never had what has been described here as missionaries who are pushy and won't take no for an answer.  Not saying they don't exist.  I've just not come into contact with any.  I guess I'm not sure what I'd do in this case other than thank them and go on my way.  It's not like they can block me from going back into my house or follow me in there. 

I'd much rather have missionaries knock on my door than somebody trying to drum up votes for some political candidate.


ETA: This was in response to Post #38.  My quote thing didn't work.

[Cookies Galore]

I don't answer the door if I'm not expecting anyone, so I either stay silent or yell "no thank you!" through the door. Our apartment door doesn't have a peephole so I'm not going to open the door to see who it is. I try not to be rude, but I'm still not going to blindly open the door. If I'm on my run and see the missionaries I will smile and wave as I run by, but I typically do that anyway.

[sheilaincali]

We very rarely answer our door if we aren't expecting company but when we do I try to be polite.

I'm an atheist and when the Mormon kids or the JW's come to my house I politely tell them my atheist status and that I respect what they are trying to do but that I am not interested. I will offer them, especially the Mormon kids a bottle of water if I have some in the fridge.

Just because I don't share their belief system doesn't mean I need to be rude to them. 

My business partner when I lived CA was a JW. Never in the 3 years we worked together did he ever mention religion to me unless I asked him. He was very willing to answer all of the questions that I had. I'm naturally curious about everything so I asked him several questions. But he never initiated any discussion.

[Green Eyed Lady]

Jul 21, 2014 9:39:41 GMT -5 sheilaincali said:

We very rarely answer our door if we aren't expecting company but when we do I try to be polite.

I'm an atheist and when the Mormon kids or the JW's come to my house I politely tell them my atheist status and that I respect what they are trying to do but that I am not interested. I will offer them, especially the Mormon kids a bottle of water if I have some in the fridge.

Just because I don't share their belief system doesn't mean I need to be rude to them. 

My business partner when I lived CA was a JW. Never in the 3 years we worked together did he ever mention religion to me unless I asked him. He was very willing to answer all of the questions that I had. I'm naturally curious about everything so I asked him several questions. But he never initiated any discussion.

What a nice thing to do.  A person doesn't have to believe as I do to be a good person.  You've demonstrated that for me yet again.

[Deleted]

Jul 20, 2014 13:14:11 GMT -5 Malarky said:

I'm curious about whether or not they ever actually manage to convert anyone this way.  
 

Yes they do. One of my Dad's sisters converted after one of these visits. Well she also visited their Kingdom Hall and got lots more info, but it started with the knock at the door.

[Deleted]

How do people just not answer the door? Even if it is just to tell them to go away, I answer the door when someone knocks unless it is late at night.

[Malarky]

Jul 21, 2014 9:57:46 GMT -5 laterbloomer said:

How do people just not answer the door? Even if it is just to tell them to go away, I answer the door when someone knocks unless it is late at night.

Because anyone I care to talk to will come to the other door.  

If I see them standing out there gushing blood, I'll dial 911.

Otherwise, I'm not interested in what they're selling. And they shouldn't be trying to peer into my windows anyway. 

[sheilaincali]

What a nice thing to do. A person doesn't have to believe as I do to be a good person. You've demonstrated that for me yet again.

  Thank GEL.  I have my moments. 

Basically I just try to be a good person.  I don't always make that goal but it's my aim every morning. 

The way I see it- this 18 year old Mormon kid is likely several states away from his family, living in a hotel and told that his entire belief system and admittance into heaven hinges on him going door to door sharing his message.  That's a lot of pressure to put on a kid.  I imagine that most people (judging by what I've read here) either run and hide from them, mock their religion (answering the door dressed as satan?  inviting them to a black mass?), ignore the door, etc.  I figure if I can be nice to him and politely decline his offer and send him on his way in a respectful manner maybe he'll grow up thinking that there are good atheists in the world. 

[Abby Normal]

I don't mind the religious ones as much as I do the salesman.  I just politely say that we have a church and aren't interested. But the sales people-  I thank god that we have a locking screen door.  It makes it much easier to close the front door (though one guy did try to open it once).  Between that and the dogs it keeps them at bay.

We did once have a guy running for office that stopped by.  We weren't at home.  He left a flyer on the door and wrote " Your dogs are very good at their job. Give them an extra cookie tonight"  It was funny.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Our lab sounds like she'll take your head off. In reality she'd probably roll over and pee if an actual intruder broke in. I don't let people who knock on my door know that.

[Green Eyed Lady]

My dog looks and sounds ferocious, but all an intruder would have to do is walk in carrying a vaccuum cleaner.  He'd head for his kennel and hide!

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Yeah my dog would only be useful if I threw her at an intruder and that's not going to happen because she weighs 55 lbs.

She'd be like Mayhem in the Allstate commercial "This great guy gave me a bone!"

[sheilaincali]

Yeah- my guard dog is a 12 year old lab.  She gets excited when the doorbell rings because she likes visitors. Usually she tries to push her way outside so whoever is on the front steps can have a chance to pet her. If they make it inside she promptly rolls over and waits for them to rub her belly.

Lately when our friends come over- they are of the walk right on in variety. She doesn't even get up from her pillow to greet them anymore. She basically just waves from the living room and goes back to sleep- unless they have food then they are her new best friend.

We always joke that if someone came to rob us  she'd help them so long as they paid her in cookies  

[Blonde Granny]

<OT> No one here is probably old enough to remember an episode of the Golden Girls....the gal played by Betty White bought a door bell that when it rang was a barking dog.

Back to your original topic.

[lynnerself]

In general I quickly and politely say I'm not interested.

I have a problem now, though.

Ever since seeing the play "The Book of Mormon", when I open the door and see the LDS missionaries, the song "Hello" immediately starts playing in my head and I have trouble keeping a straight face.

[mmhmm]

I'm polite but firm. I usually explain I care for my elderly, bed-bound mother and don't really have time to engage in conversation. Mother doesn't like strangers in the house. The idea frightens her since she's completely defenseless. Most folks have been very understanding and we don't have many since they're actually forbidden by our neighborhood covenants. They do get through now and then, though. I understand they're only trying to share something they feel is miraculous. Even if I'm not as taken with the idea as they are, the intent is good. No reason to be nasty to them.

[violagirl]

I think this is an interesting topic of conversation. To give perspective on the missionary side:

I suppose I can't speak for all faiths, and I think perhaps people who are religious may understand our side a bit better but it takes a lot of courage and it definitely is NOT my natural inclination to go to your door to talk to you about religion especially when most responses are "not interested".  I don't get many really rude people, but we kind of know what to expect walking up to a door. We try really hard not to judge people before we meet them. By that I mean - when you anticipate a rude welcome..you kind of are already on the defensive before you even meet the person. So you have to will yourself to assume everyone is friendly until proven otherwise. Being really friendly will throw us off probably more so than being rude. 

We do not come to your door because we enjoy annoying you. It is generally for two reasons. We have found something that gives us hope for the future and has been really good in our lives, obviously something that good has to be shared. We also believe we are accountable to God for failure to share this news if we do not. Now we know not everyone will want to be a JW. That is totally up to them, but it is not our place to judge who will or who won't.

We just had a discussion this week about how we should behave. ie peeking in windows is NOT acceptable behaviour. Also not wandering around to the back of the house if we hear people on the deck. Not launching immediately into "what do you think the purpose of life is" when someone opens the door. I personally respect no soliciting and no trespassing signs. However, there are varying levels of education and background, general social cluelessness and crazy so not everyone you talk to will be the same.  

[Abby Normal]

Jul 21, 2014 11:37:06 GMT -5 violagirl said:

I think this is an interesting topic of conversation. To give perspective on the missionary side:

I suppose I can't speak for all faiths, and I think perhaps people who are religious may understand our side a bit better but it takes a lot of courage and it definitely is NOT my natural inclination to go to your door to talk to you about religion especially when most responses are "not interested".  I don't get many really rude people, but we kind of know what to expect walking up to a door. We try really hard not to judge people before we meet them. By that I mean - when you anticipate a rude welcome..you kind of are already on the defensive before you even meet the person. So you have to will yourself to assume everyone is friendly until proven otherwise. Being really friendly will throw us off probably more so than being rude. 

We do not come to your door because we enjoy annoying you. It is generally for two reasons. We have found something that gives us hope for the future and has been really good in our lives, obviously something that good has to be shared. We also believe we are accountable to God for failure to share this news if we do not. Now we know not everyone will want to be a JW. That is totally up to them, but it is not our place to judge who will or who won't.

We just had a discussion this week about how we should behave. ie peeking in windows is NOT acceptable behaviour. Also not wandering around to the back of the house if we hear people on the deck. Not launching immediately into "what do you think the purpose of life is" when someone opens the door. I personally respect no soliciting and no trespassing signs. However, there are varying levels of education and background, general social cluelessness and crazy so not everyone you talk to will be the same.  

 In my younger days, I was really fascinated with the differences in religions  (still am).  Any time any of them came to the door, I would have a discussion with them for an hour. Now I don't have as much time so I don't tend to do it.  But back when I was in college, I was staying with my mom for the summer.  She was so irritated with me because after I went back to school, the different  door knockers kept coming by. 

[Pants]

Jul 21, 2014 11:37:06 GMT -5 violagirl said:

I think this is an interesting topic of conversation. To give perspective on the missionary side:

I suppose I can't speak for all faiths, and I think perhaps people who are religious may understand our side a bit better but it takes a lot of courage and it definitely is NOT my natural inclination to go to your door to talk to you about religion especially when most responses are "not interested".  I don't get many really rude people, but we kind of know what to expect walking up to a door. We try really hard not to judge people before we meet them. By that I mean - when you anticipate a rude welcome..you kind of are already on the defensive before you even meet the person. So you have to will yourself to assume everyone is friendly until proven otherwise. Being really friendly will throw us off probably more so than being rude. 

We do not come to your door because we enjoy annoying you. It is generally for two reasons. We have found something that gives us hope for the future and has been really good in our lives, obviously something that good has to be shared. We also believe we are accountable to God for failure to share this news if we do not. Now we know not everyone will want to be a JW. That is totally up to them, but it is not our place to judge who will or who won't.

We just had a discussion this week about how we should behave. ie peeking in windows is NOT acceptable behaviour. Also not wandering around to the back of the house if we hear people on the deck. Not launching immediately into "what do you think the purpose of life is" when someone opens the door. I personally respect no soliciting and no trespassing signs. However, there are varying levels of education and background, general social cluelessness and crazy so not everyone you talk to will be the same.  

Right. You believe. By evangelizing to me, you are inherently disrespecting my beliefs.

[Abby Normal]

Jul 21, 2014 12:56:10 GMT -5 Pants said:

I don't see someone sharing what they believe as disrespecting yours. Unless they are actually saying " I'm right and you're wrong" which I've had happen but by a fringe church, not by the LDS or JW's that have come to the door.

Some take joy in sharing their beliefs on religion, just as many of us here take joy in sharing our beliefs about money. But we do tend to say " I'm right and you're wrong" , because well, we are right.

[Pants]

Jul 21, 2014 13:04:06 GMT -5 Abby Normal said:

Jul 21, 2014 12:56:10 GMT -5 Pants said:

I don't see someone sharing what they believe as disrespecting yours. Unless they are actually saying " I'm right and you're wrong" which I've had happen but by a fringe church, not by the LDS or JW's that have come to the door.

Some take joy in sharing their beliefs on religion, just as many of us here take joy in sharing our beliefs about money. But we do tend to say " I'm right and you're wrong" , because well, we are right.

And I do. 

Why would they bother if they weren't convinced they were right and I was wrong? Or un-informed? Or misguided?

The difference here is that we are engaging in open discussion and putting ourselves in a place where conversations are invited. It's not that I don't talk about religion with people - it's that I don't want to talk about it with someone who has decided to disrepect my time, my space and my beliefs by showing up on my property unannounced and talking about how their way is so much better.