What do you do when religious missionaries come to your door

[greeniis10]

Jul 22, 2014 9:45:53 GMT -5 @pinkcshmere said:

I don't usually answer the door if I'm not expecting someone. But....

If a neighbor knocks on my door because they need to talk to me, no problem.

If a kid knocks on my door because they're selling something for school or an organization they're in, I probably won't buy anything, but no problem

If an adult knocks on my door because the company they work for operates like that, if I happen to answer and they go away when I tell them I'm not interested, no problem. They're just doing their job.

As far as the missionaries, you can usually spot them. I usually don't answer the door. If I do answer and tell them I'm not interested and they respect that and go away, no problem. If they start asking me questions when I say I'm not interested, we start to have a problem. If they go away and come back in a few weeks, we have a problem. It's when they keep coming back that I feel they are being completely disrespectful.

I have a friend that is a member of a religion that does this. You can't win with them. If you don't answer the door, they're coming back. If you do answer and say whatever, they're coming back. According to him, they keep a list and they're going to keep coming back in the hopes that one day you'll listen to them. That kind of pisses me off. I use to work at night, I don't want someone ringing my doorbell, disturbing me, trying to convert me when I've already told them I'm not interested in what they're talking about. Being so disrespectful is not going to make me listen.

Yep, they keep a list!  You have to tell them to put your address on their "Do NOT call / visit" list and make sure they note it on the back of their territory card.

I don't know Violagirl, so nothing I say is against her directly, however, what hasn't been mentioned is that the TIME each JW spends preaching (whether it is door-to-door, on the phone, even typing a message on a message board) is kept track of for each congregant.  You turn in your time at the end of each month and more time you spend the "better" JW you are.    There are certain tiers and names for each level according to the amount of time each month you spend preaching.  This is a hot topic for me so that's all I can say politely.

[Angel!]

I took literature and started talking to some JWs like 3 or 4 years ago.  Now they come to my house once a week to "study".  She is the freaking nicest lady in the world, always checking up on me, brought me bags & bags of clothes when I was pregnant, & I think she feels we have a lot in common because she had a horrible ex & ended up a single mother of three.  At first I was interested, not because I was going to convert or anything, I just didn't know anything about JWs.  Now I hate it, but I feel so bad telling her I'm not interested anymore because I kind of see her as a friend although our entire relationship revolves around her being a JW.  I just feel I have learned enough about the JW religion, but I am too nice to say anything.  I do tell her everytime she invites me to the kingdom hall or any of their events that I am not interested in attending.

What surprises me is I have never had Mormons come to my door.  I use to get them all the time where I grew up. 

I also always get some kids selling either stuff out of tubs they carry around (candles, candy, etc) or kids selling some sort of cleaning product.  They almost always start with how this program helps keep them off the street, out of gangs, and off drugs, & then talk about some contest that ends today that they will get such and such prize if they win.  The cleaning product people are usually college age & claim it is some college program that helps pay for school (which I do not believe).  The whole thing comes off like such a memorized speech that I hate it.  I wish I could get them to stop coming to my door.

[CarolinaKat]

Jul 22, 2014 10:52:38 GMT -5 greeniis10 said:

Jul 22, 2014 9:45:53 GMT -5 @pinkcshmere said:

I don't usually answer the door if I'm not expecting someone. But....

If a neighbor knocks on my door because they need to talk to me, no problem.

If a kid knocks on my door because they're selling something for school or an organization they're in, I probably won't buy anything, but no problem

If an adult knocks on my door because the company they work for operates like that, if I happen to answer and they go away when I tell them I'm not interested, no problem. They're just doing their job.

As far as the missionaries, you can usually spot them. I usually don't answer the door. If I do answer and tell them I'm not interested and they respect that and go away, no problem. If they start asking me questions when I say I'm not interested, we start to have a problem. If they go away and come back in a few weeks, we have a problem. It's when they keep coming back that I feel they are being completely disrespectful.

I have a friend that is a member of a religion that does this. You can't win with them. If you don't answer the door, they're coming back. If you do answer and say whatever, they're coming back. According to him, they keep a list and they're going to keep coming back in the hopes that one day you'll listen to them. That kind of pisses me off. I use to work at night, I don't want someone ringing my doorbell, disturbing me, trying to convert me when I've already told them I'm not interested in what they're talking about. Being so disrespectful is not going to make me listen.

Yep, they keep a list!  You have to tell them to put your address on their "Do NOT call / visit" list and make sure they note it on the back of their territory card.

I don't know Violagirl, so nothing I say is against her directly, however, what hasn't been mentioned is that the TIME each JW spends preaching (whether it is door-to-door, on the phone, even typing a message on a message board) is kept track of for each congregant.  You turn in your time at the end of each month and more time you spend the "better" JW you are.    There are certain tiers and names for each level according to the amount of time each month you spend preaching.  This is a hot topic for me so that's all I can say politely.

I wonder how having large barking agressive sounding dogs does to your placement on the list?

[Tennesseer]

Jul 22, 2014 11:16:46 GMT -5 Angel! said:

What surprises me is I have never had Mormons come to my door.  I use to get them all the time where I grew up. 

Many of the young Mormon men are scattered around the country selling security systems for all the Utah based secuity companies.  Quite a few security company headquarters are based around the Provo, Utah area.

[greeniis10]

Large dogs and locked gates DO help!  Or, gated communities.  There are ways to avoid them, but I was just pointing out that if they do continue to knock on your door when you don't want them to, make them put you on their list.  It works.  Or, tell them you're "disfellowshipped".  They'll turn and run away from you so fast you'll be amazed.

And Angel, more power to you if you can handle the weekly Bible study!  At least you're helping her rack up her monthly preaching hours.

[raeoflyte]

I don't think Mormons do the door to door thing anymore, or if they do it is very limited. They had that big "I'm Mormon" campaign a few years ago that I felt was to show that they've moved away from that image and mainstream the religion. And possibly to try to help Romney's campaign.

An old Mormon boss told me they only did that on their mission if they ran out of work to do, so he made sure not to run out of work.

Sent from my ADR6410LVW using proboards

[Plain Old Petunia]

Jul 22, 2014 11:29:29 GMT -5 greeniis10 said:

Large dogs and locked gates DO help!  Or, gated communities.  There are ways to avoid them, but I was just pointing out that if they do continue to knock on your door when you don't want them to, make them put you on their list.  It works.  Or, tell them you're "disfellowshipped".  They'll turn and run away from you so fast you'll be amazed.

And Angel, more power to you if you can handle the weekly Bible study!  At least you're helping her rack up her monthly preaching hours.

Lol, I have done that before!  Hilarious. 

[lynnerself]

Jul 22, 2014 11:30:35 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

I don't think Mormons do the door to door thing anymore, or if they do it is very limited. They had that big "I'm Mormon" campaign a few years ago that I felt was to show that they've moved away from that image and mainstream the religion. And possibly to try to help Romney's campaign.

They were at my door this month.

And I saw them on the street yesterday.

[greeniis10]

Jul 22, 2014 11:32:49 GMT -5 Plain Old Petunia said:

Jul 22, 2014 11:29:29 GMT -5 greeniis10 said:

Large dogs and locked gates DO help!  Or, gated communities.  There are ways to avoid them, but I was just pointing out that if they do continue to knock on your door when you don't want them to, make them put you on their list.  It works.  Or, tell them you're "disfellowshipped".  They'll turn and run away from you so fast you'll be amazed.

And Angel, more power to you if you can handle the weekly Bible study!  At least you're helping her rack up her monthly preaching hours.

Lol, I have done that before!  Hilarious. 

Yep, because if you ARE disfellowshipped they aren't allowed to talk to you, even your family.  For the record, I'm NOT disfellowshipped; I left on my own accord and made that known publicly to the "elders".  20+ years later when I see JW's I've known since birth they divert their eyes and turn away from me.  It's great - I got to start a whole new life without having to move!

[greeniis10]

Now the Mormons I'm just learning about since DSD married a Mormon last year and they have one daughter and a son on the way.  I'm not sure yet if they are going to raise the grandkids in any certain religion or not, but it is interesting talking to our new son-in-law and his family. 

[zibazinski]

Were you allowed to be at the wedding?

[Blonde Granny]

IIRC, it is only the weddings actually held within the Temple that have restrictions.  Having lived in SLC years ago, we learned a lot of the Mormons.  One being that special clothes are worn in the Temple, and for weddings, the bride & groom are separated before the wedding to undergo certain private rituals.  I don't believe Mormon churches, which are different than Temples require many of those restrictions and rituals.

If I'm wrong, I hope that someone will post here who is Mormon to correct me.

[Angel!]

I think you are right Granny, I think it is only the temples with restrictions.  And then they usually have some reception elsewhere since the ceremony is so limited in who can attend.  Unmarried mormon women aren't even allowed in the temple.

[Plain Old Petunia]

Jul 22, 2014 11:30:35 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

I don't think Mormons do the door to door thing anymore, or if they do it is very limited. They had that big "I'm Mormon" campaign a few years ago that I felt was to show that they've moved away from that image and mainstream the religion. And possibly to try to help Romney's campaign.

An old Mormon boss told me they only did that on their mission if they ran out of work to do, so he made sure not to run out of work.

Sent from my ADR6410LVW using proboards

I see them biking around all the time.  I have not had one at my front door in a decade or so.  Maybe because I am seldom home?

[Deleted]

Jul 22, 2014 11:22:55 GMT -5 CarolinaKat said:

Jul 22, 2014 10:52:38 GMT -5 greeniis10 said:

Yep, they keep a list!  You have to tell them to put your address on their "Do NOT call / visit" list and make sure they note it on the back of their territory card.

I don't know Violagirl, so nothing I say is against her directly, however, what hasn't been mentioned is that the TIME each JW spends preaching (whether it is door-to-door, on the phone, even typing a message on a message board) is kept track of for each congregant.  You turn in your time at the end of each month and more time you spend the "better" JW you are.    There are certain tiers and names for each level according to the amount of time each month you spend preaching.  This is a hot topic for me so that's all I can say politely.

I wonder how having large barking agressive sounding dogs does to your placement on the list?

Doesn't matter. I had a large and a very large dog in the house. The large one didn't like strangers at all and was very vocal about it. The very large one sometimes followed his lead. They still came back.

[swamp]

Jul 21, 2014 14:14:03 GMT -5 Plain Old Petunia said:

Jul 21, 2014 13:51:37 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Yeah, that flabbergasts me too.  I just would never consider not answering the door.

We rarely get any religion pushers though.  In 14 years, I can honestly only recall once or twice and it's been a number of years.  I took their pamphlets and thanked them, but for the most part made it known that I didn't want to sit and discuss anything.  I promptly tossed what they gave me after they left. 

My ex-husband had a strict no-answering-the-door-for-people-you-do-not-know-very-well policy.   He is a deputy sheriff, and insisted lots of violent crimes begin with someone opening the front door.

Actually, most violent crimes start with a drug deal....

[sesfw]

DSD married a Mormon last year and they have one daughter and a son on the way.

Some sects of LDS don't believe in birth control.  You might become a gran-ma many times over. 

[Blonde Granny]

I stand corrected.

Opps, and back to our missionaries knocking on doors.

[chen35]

Jul 22, 2014 19:05:10 GMT -5 sesfw said:

DSD married a Mormon last year and they have one daughter and a son on the way.

Some sects of LDS don't believe in birth control.  You might become a gran-ma many times over. 

I am Mormon, live in the Mormon capital, and I don't know anyone who doesn't believe in birth control. Not saying they aren't out there, just that hopefully that's note the case here (unless she wants to be a Grandma many times over!)

[Blonde Granny]

Thank you clhen, I will alter my post. I was hoping someone was going to help me out. We lived in SLC also, many years ago. Down at the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon.

[Plain Old Petunia]

Jul 22, 2014 19:24:58 GMT -5 chen35 said:

Jul 22, 2014 19:05:10 GMT -5 sesfw said:

DSD married a Mormon last year and they have one daughter and a son on the way.

Some sects of LDS don't believe in birth control.  You might become a gran-ma many times over. 

I am Mormon, live in the Mormon capital, and I don't know anyone who doesn't believe in birth control. Not saying they aren't out there, just that hopefully that's note the case here (unless she wants to be a Grandma many times over!)

A girlfriend of mine who was raised Mormon has told me that Mormons do not practice birth control because unborn spirits choose their families and birth control would interfere with that.   Is that not true?

[Plain Old Petunia]

Jul 22, 2014 18:48:22 GMT -5 swamp said:

Jul 21, 2014 14:14:03 GMT -5 Plain Old Petunia said:

My ex-husband had a strict no-answering-the-door-for-people-you-do-not-know-very-well policy.   He is a deputy sheriff, and insisted lots of violent crimes begin with someone opening the front door.

Actually, most violent crimes start with a drug deal....

You are welcome to take it up with him.

[chen35]

Jul 22, 2014 22:02:04 GMT -5 Plain Old Petunia said:

Jul 22, 2014 19:24:58 GMT -5 chen35 said:

I am Mormon, live in the Mormon capital, and I don't know anyone who doesn't believe in birth control. Not saying they aren't out there, just that hopefully that's note the case here (unless she wants to be a Grandma many times over!)

A girlfriend of mine who was raised Mormon has told me that Mormons do not practice birth control because unborn spirits choose their families and birth control would interfere with that.   Is that not true?

It's not considered doctrine. There was this old cheesy Mormon musical where they had like 10 kids and that was the premise. I should clarify to say that I don't know anyone my age or younger (mid-30s) who thinks that way. My parents don't either, but probably more people in their generation did.

[Plain Old Petunia]

Jul 22, 2014 23:09:00 GMT -5 chen35 said:

Jul 22, 2014 22:02:04 GMT -5 Plain Old Petunia said:

A girlfriend of mine who was raised Mormon has told me that Mormons do not practice birth control because unborn spirits choose their families and birth control would interfere with that.   Is that not true?

It's not considered doctrine. There was this old cheesy Mormon musical where they had like 10 kids and that was the premise. I should clarify to say that I don't know anyone my age or younger (mid-30s) who thinks that way. My parents don't either, but probably more people in their generation did.

Thank you for the clarification.

[greeniis10]

Jul 22, 2014 19:05:10 GMT -5 sesfw said:

DSD married a Mormon last year and they have one daughter and a son on the way.

Some sects of LDS don't believe in birth control.  You might become a gran-ma many times over. 

So far, these are both "oops".  Originally, DSD was not serious about this guy to begin with and had just been told by her doctor that due to PCOS she probably couldn't have children.  I warned her that wasn't true, but when she did end up pregnant his family would not even consider any options.  His mom took her son to buy and engagement ring and a wedding date was set!  Then, she said she was in between birth control types when she found out she was pregnant this time.  I think he wants 3 but I think they may change their mind after #2 is born!

And, they didn't have a Mormon wedding.  They had a ceremony at a church, but it was nondenominational.  I have no idea how they want to raise the kids.

[zibazinski]

Well, when Jesus himself comes to my door, I will listen to him. In the meantime, the rest of you who think you're GOD, stay the F away from my door.

[Plain Old Petunia]

Jul 23, 2014 11:00:57 GMT -5 greeniis10 said:

Jul 22, 2014 19:05:10 GMT -5 sesfw said:

DSD married a Mormon last year and they have one daughter and a son on the way.

Some sects of LDS don't believe in birth control.  You might become a gran-ma many times over. 

So far, these are both "oops".  Originally, DSD was not serious about this guy to begin with and had just been told by her doctor that due to PCOS she probably couldn't have children.  I warned her that wasn't true, but when she did end up pregnant his family would not even consider any options.  His mom took her son to buy and engagement ring and a wedding date was set!  Then, she said she was in between birth control types when she found out she was pregnant this time.  I think he wants 3 but I think they may change their mind after #2 is born!

And, they didn't have a Mormon wedding.  They had a ceremony at a church, but it was nondenominational.  I have no idea how they want to raise the kids.

Was DSD obligated to follow whatever decision the guy's family made?

[greeniis10]

Jul 23, 2014 11:23:41 GMT -5 Plain Old Petunia said:

Jul 23, 2014 11:00:57 GMT -5 greeniis10 said:

So far, these are both "oops".  Originally, DSD was not serious about this guy to begin with and had just been told by her doctor that due to PCOS she probably couldn't have children.  I warned her that wasn't true, but when she did end up pregnant his family would not even consider any options.  His mom took her son to buy and engagement ring and a wedding date was set!  Then, she said she was in between birth control types when she found out she was pregnant this time.  I think he wants 3 but I think they may change their mind after #2 is born!

And, they didn't have a Mormon wedding.  They had a ceremony at a church, but it was nondenominational.  I have no idea how they want to raise the kids.

Was DSD obligated to follow whatever decision the guy's family made?

In my opinion? No.  But, she was only 22 at the time, was blindsided by the fact that she was pregnant since she believed her doctor about not being able to have children, and of course told the boyfriend as soon as she found out.  Once he told his family, the ball was rolling!  They have a beautiful baby girl and I know they don't regret her, but this ties with with the thread on YM about what would you tell your 22 yr. old self: I think when she gets older she'll see that she could have taken control of the situation, but wasn't equipped with the maturity at the time.

[Tennesseer]

Jul 23, 2014 11:21:19 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Well, when Jesus himself comes to my door, I will listen to him. In the meantime, the rest of you who think you're GOD, stay the F away from my door.

'Knock knock!  Guess Who!'  

[Firebird]

Now I hate it, but I feel so bad telling her I'm not interested anymore because I kind of see her as a friend although our entire relationship revolves around her being a JW.

To me, that's a perfect example of why the relationship should PRECEDE the evangelism.  I find it quite sad that Angel has a connection with this lady and yet has to constantly feel awkward around her because she isn't buying the product, so to speak.

If they had met in actual friendship, then she could have told Angel about her religion as part of the getting-to-know-you process, not as a sales pitch.  And then Angel probably wouldn't feel nearly so awkward about being uninterested.