Jehovah...at the door
 

I just answered the doorbell and found three guys in suits, with watchtower in hand....asking if they could come in and talk.

I invited them in.
As they sat down I watched them scan my home and slowly realize what they had walked into....kinda funny.
I am Pagan and have an alter in the living room, no not Satanic or cultish, just into earth based religion.
These guys looked truly spooked. Inside I was quite giddy.They didnt seem to want to talk at all, so I started to ask them about the beliefs of thier"cult".Didnt go over so well, but definately got one of them talking. Told me what I was doing was a cult, and witnessing was "Gods" will, and I could still be saved.
Rather than argue....I closed my eyes and pretended to be in trance, then told them God just told me that the guy down the street would be easier to save.
I thanked them for the concern and wished them luck in saving the other 5.9billion people they need to talk to, looked at their shoes and suggested they invest in something more comfy, as there was a lot of walking ahead of them.

My point is, was it cruel of me to play them like that, or was it just payment for coming uninvited?

I've had them come in and sit for point to point line for line bible debate.

IMHO so long as you didn't assault or molest them it's not cruel at all.

I had a friend who, when greeted at the door by Jehovah's Witness always asked them "what is their church's point of view on oral sex?"

Most were gone before the closing door could hit their ass...

That's a good way to deal with it. We rarely see them in my neighborhood anymore, so I don't know what I would do.

i made the mistake of debating with JW's once. They took that as a sign that I was a soul in desperate need of saving, and came at least once a week thereafter until I moved. Of course, it worked out that I was never home when they came, so they kept bugging my wife about what they could do in partnership with her to save me. Apparantly, they decided she either didn't need saving or wasn't worthy of it. She nearly killed me every time they came after awhile ;)

My dad told em that if the starving people in africa hurried up and starved to death already, the problem would be solved. You can imagine the reaction.

I had a group of Mormons do this to me once. They sold me a subscription to the newspaper. One asked for a drink of water, so, I invited them in.

What a mistake. :)

They started to talking about religion and forgot all about the water. After about 5 minutes of being uncomfortable, I told them that my relationship to God was my business and if they didn't mind I'd like to rub one out before I went to work and gestured toward the door.

They left. Pretty quick.

My girlfriend is a Witness, so I may be biased, but I really think you shouldn't fuck with people like that.

They're just people like everyone else, and deserve to be treated with respect like normal human beings. If you don't want to talk to them, then just ask them to leave. They probably will. If you genuinely want to talk about religion or the bible, then talk to them. Most of them are actually extremely knowledgeable about the bible, though I will admit they have some wacky interpretations of it. But treating them like shit so you can then later go and chuckle with your friends about it is not cool.

Look at it this way. From their perspective they are trying to give you eternal life in paradise. And it’s not as if they get brownie points for converting more people. If they try really hard it’s because they really care. So whether or not you agree with them, at least appreciate the effort.

Since they go around to random people and try to convert them, they leave themselves open to what can happen. Different people have different positions on this. Personally, I expect their biggest fear is probably entering the house of a missionary of another religion who will succeed in converting them. They take their chances.

As long as they're not hurt physically, are not seriously abused, and are allowed to leave when they wish, I don't see a problem with whatever response they get.

I once had a conversation with one of these guys. He explained how the world would one day become a kingdom with God as leader. I then explained to him that this would be a dictatorship, and that I would not like to live in such a country, without any freedom to do as I please, always doing what God wanted me to do, kinda like a lowly slave.

That pretty much ruined his side of the debate.

Nice!

I used to be a Witness, so I can speak from both sides of the fence, as I've been visited by Witness's who weren't aware I'd left the religion.

While I don't see the point in being outright mean to them, I also think that they are opening the "can-o-worms" themselves by choosing to talk to strangers. They are just uninvited door to door salesmen as far as I'm concerned. They assume you NEED their product, so they are going to try everything to "sell" it to you. Don't give them an inch if you don't want to spend an hour chatting.

And, yes, in case you can't tell, I'm not sorry in the slightest that I left.

I politely tell them that I'm not interested, ask if they would like a glass of water, tell them "Have a good day and God bless you" and let them walk away to the next house. Sure, I'm agnostic, and I don't mean "God bless you" as sincerely as they do, but I figure they take enough abuse from the rest of the world, so I might as well be nice to them and give tehm the idea that maybe the world isn't as fucked up as they wory it is.

On the other hand, if they get pushy, I'll bust out the death metal.

Once, I was at a friend's place. We were just eating lunch and some religious salespeople came to the door (they were Mormons if I remember correctly). Anyway, he answered the door, and they were chatting at him for a minute. I guess they were offering free books of Mormon, and my friend said, "Hey thanks, I needed more toilet paper" as he grabbed it from them. They just kind of stood their gape-jawed and he closed the door on them.

I am not endorsing nor condemning his actions, but rest assured, I know your inner-bastard is laughing it's ass off right now.

I don't have a problem with people who genuinely want to convert them to another religion. Free marketplace of ideas and all that good stuff. I do have a problem with people who are intentionally assholes to them because, hey, its fun to make fun of witnesses and mormans. I personaly think its kind of sick that people get pleasure out of tormenting them. If they annoy you that much get a no soliciting sign.

There are usually two Mormons, both well dressed and well groomed guys who solicit people walking on the route that I walk. They never approached me untill one day that I stopped to re-tie my hiking boot. After a brief and pleasant exchange, we mutually decided that I wasn't about to be converted. Now everyday when I'm walking home, we have a little banter.

I say "Save any souls today?" - "Perhaps we will- are you ready yet?" or they say "Excuse me, heathen, but your shoelace is untied" and I reply in kind "Oh, I'm not looking down, God boy" They say to most people "Excuse me, Sir(Maam), may we have a momment of your time." and they asked me if I was prepared to endure torment in Hell during our first meeting. I was recently walking with a friend, he was rather taken aback by the exchange, but amused after I explained.

A friend of mine was home sick when he was in high school, and was just lounging around on the couch in his boxers, wrapped in a blanket. Some JW and her little daughter knocked on the door, and he got up to answer it. The daughter started giggling and the woman gave him this horrified look and walked away with her daughter as fast as she could. He didn't realize that he was um...hanging out of his boxers.

one of my best friends is a mormon. He and I have had long and rousing debates about mormonism. I've always told him that if he can, using logic, convince me that the whole Joseph Smith story has a grain of truth to it, I'll go to temple with him. I have yet to go ;)

But he realizes, and i've noticed this of a lot of mormons, that you don't necessarilly have to be MORMON to be a good person. As long as the religious guy has that idea firmly in place, I'm usually pretty cool with them. It's only the idiots that like to protest in front of elementary schools with giant photoshopped pictures of "aborted" fetuses who say that it's their way or hell that piss me off.

You need to see the mormon episode of southpark. absolute classic, it's awesome.

I've never had a JW come to my door though. I don't know what i'd do, I'd probably talk like a pikey and freak em out.

The day me and my brother argued down the Mormons using Simpsons quotes until they got tired and decided to leave...

What a victory for the God of Television...

I saw that a few weeks ago. It replaced "Chickenlover" as the alltime funniest southpark IMHO. I really wanted to show it to my friend, but I can't be that mean :D

I was hummin' that "dumb dumb dumb" song the whole next day.

Selling Jesus or Jehova, I make little distinction between the two, is something I really detest. Yes, they're people, too, and I am sure they do what they do because they care. And so on and so forth. But I did not invite them over. There is no sign at my door that says please come save me from my wicked ways. If I want to be saved by you, I'll come and ask for it. If I am even remotely interested in your beliefs, I'll give you a call. But until you hear otherwise from me, back the fuck off and don't even knock.

I can't even keep the computer offline for ten minutes without having the phone ring because someone wants to sell me something. Peace and quiet is a luxury these days, and I don't take too well to people wasting it.

I see nothing wrong with what you did. Now, had you signed up on some "Come talk to me about your religion" list, that'd be different.

Re: Jehovah...at the door
 

As far as the JW's are concerned, nah, 'twas pretty funny actually.:lol: Just tell me you don't do that to little kids who come to your door selling chocolate bars to raise money for school and stuff.;)

One day a couple of young men jw's came to my home. I welcomed them in and they started to speak, but obviously feeling uncomfortable.
I let them casually and respectfully know that I am very spiritual, accepting all religions, but that I focus more on a Universal level. They were amazed and were very inquisitive about my spirituality. I asked them why they decided to be jw's, and they explained with utmost genuinity and love. The way they described it was actually beautiful, a side I never heard before regarding their beliefs. yet they steered back to me and asked me more questions. I felt really good and they really enjoyed what I had to say and they didn't bother preaching to me at all. They just smiled and repeatedly thanked me for being such a beautiful, nice, and spiritual person and they left. It was pleasant and I am glad to have had that experience. Not all religious people are thumpers.

My only problem with JW coming to my door is that they are outright PUSHY. They dont seem to take no for an answer. Ok, i understand that they would like to shed their religious light on the rest of the world, but if I am not interested and I clearly state that - they should back off!!!

I tell them I can't be a witness because I didn't see the accident.

My friend absolutely loves when jw's come to visit...when the preach to him he tells them why smurfs are blue and not red :)

I always chat with them for a bit and then ask them this question..." How can a billion and a half Chinese, a billion Indians, a billion Muslems and almost a billion Catholics be wrong?" Their noses crinkle a little while they're thinking about it and I say "Come back when you have the answer" and shut the door. Haven't seen them since and that was about 5 years ago.

I think you have a real point there, but there's still wiggle room.

I agree that there's already enough suffering in the world and that creating more is cruel, especially considering they just want to do well by you. However, the other side of that is that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. And the government man is here to help you. And the Crusades were supposed to convert the heathens to Christ. And the Communists were trying to help the Proletariat.

And if you believe that any of that actually worked/works the way it's represented, I have a bridge or two to sell you.

As I said, there's wiggle room in there.

Yes, good ep.

I have. Most recently, I wasn't in any mood to deal with them, so I didn't open the door and told them I wasn't interested. Flat, cold, and effective.

I wouldn't say what you did was really rude. They do tend to make people uncomfortable when they show up unannounced and are so hard to get rid of. You got rid of them effectively. If you show any interest at all they WILL come back. If you creep them out enough they will stay away so you effectively rid yourself of them at least for a while. I've heard that they will mark houses of those who will "debate" with them or at least talk about their religion at all. Even if you accept their papers they tend to come back. I have approached them in more than one way. First I did debate with them. The 2 girls got really uncomfortable when I started talking about the original Hebrew and Greek texts and how their "Bible" leave out many sections that are found in those texts. They kindof were at a loss in how to respond since they were trained to spout their religion and not debate something that detailed. I was thankful for my Bible degree that time. They kindof quite coming for a while.

When they started coming again I accepted their papers and told them I had to go right away since I'd only recently had a new baby and was very uncomfortable just standing with stitches in my belly. They continued to come more then. Finally I refused any papers and told them I did not want to talk. They practically begged to talk to me then but Ijust repeated the same phrase in response to everything they said. Saying "I'm sorry, I do not want to talk to you or read your papers. I do not agree with your beliefs." Finally after the 3rd time repeating myself they excused themselves and I never saw them again. I've never let them into my home. EVER. Simply because it encourages them to talk more and puts them in control because I nearly have to be rude to get rid of them.

One time they came to talk to my mother the week before my wedding when we were frantically preparing. They really refused to leave or quit talking to her. I could hear it and her frustration and finally came out said "You will have to leave now. I need my mother to get things ready for my wedding." My mother took the cue, said goodbye, and we just turned out backs and walked inside.

I will be polite as I can but when it comes down to it I will be blunt and tell them outright to leave. Better than wasting their time really since I'm not about to be converted - I know I could not hold to their beliefs as I've looked into it already.

Sorry so long- didn't realize how long winded I got.

Fuck 'em.

Witnessing your faith doesn't mean peddling door to door. It means being an enviable example.

My opinion is, if I want to buy something, I go shopping. Anyone who comes to my door wanting to sell me anything gets more or less the same thing "There's the sidewalk. Be on it before I get nasty." I'm nicer to kids, ruder to the religious. "Go sell crazy somewhere else, we're all stocked up here." or "I got a batch of beer on the stove right now. I have 2 minutes before the next batch of hops goes in. You can have one on them. Go. You have 59 seconds left." or "Hmm? Stay naked and have sex with my wife or get dressed and talk to you about your imaginary friend? Tough choice. (Close Door)."

I just despise salesmen of any kind at my door.

solution=DON'T answer the door!:thumbsup:

But what you did was without a doubt pretty funny. There have been a few times in which they've caught me off guard and I've answered the door thinking that it was someone else that I was expecting. They can be VERY pushy and persistant. Sometimes you just have to slam the door in thier face in order for them to leave you alone.

It's also a plus to have a BIG threatening looking dog right next to them, growling. And when they ask if bites or not, say, "only if I tell him to..." That'll scare the shit out of them, and they won't come back for long time!:D

I just cannot stand ANYONE who pushes there religion on other people.

My wife and I had experiences where these jick-jacks would come and knock on our door. It was hilarious. My wife answered, and stated that we were Satanists, and I started barking as lound as I could, and they just took off. Its like go sell this shit someplace else, I hate those fucking people.

V.

True story; I had door to door Budhists once! They asked me if I was feeling ok (I had just been to the doctors office and assumed they were a follow up visit, Japan is a great place) I said I still wasn't a hundred percent (flu). They then started getting excited and telling me how their cult could help me. They showed me pictures of statues, offered me some incense, it was all very strange. I wonder what the average Japanese person would have done...

The wife and I have our own Witnesses. That is to say we have JW who visit regularly and they have given up trying to convert us and simply stop in to chat about kids and jobs and health. When they leave they offer a watchtower and we accept and they are happy and we have had a nice visit with pleasant people.

My dad was on hands and knees, furiously barking at the door when JWs came by one time. He was barking up a storm and banging on the door, up until the point when the door flew open. He forgot to completely close the door.

I don't remember what happened after that because I was so little. :lol:

I've never had them come, but I've always wanted to ask them "what happens when there's more than 120,000 of you?" (If I recall, they're named after a passage in the Bible stating that 120K witnesses will be saved, Revelations, I think).

A buddy of mine had t-shirt made up that stated "I hate organized religions." He saw some JW or mormons coming down the street, turned on Motley Crue's "SHout at the Devil" and answered the door. They took one look at him heard the music and just turned around. They never even said a word!

when the JW's come to my house i would usually watch them trhough teh peep hole..then after they wait for a couple mins. and as they start to walk away i'd make a small squeaking noise or whimper.. then they'd come back and ring the doorbell and wait, thinking someone's home..i would continue this until they gave up

i dont see an issue. so what if you have different beliefs. it wasnt offensive, it was actually pretty funny. that will make them think twice before they knock on the next door.

they used to come to my house all the time when i was a kid. i
used to talk to them all the time. im not at all religeous but i was interested in what they had to say. but hey i was a kid...what did i know. then they just stopped coming. wonder what happened.

i do not understand this whole "saved" thing. what do i need to be saved from? i am a child of god...does god not love and accept me unconditionally? i believe that if i try really hard to behave myself and love others during my lifetime, that maybe there's something really swell waiting for me after death.

also...i am catholic. this really freaks out the jehovah's witnesses. i heard once that they believe catholics sacrifice babies on the altar at easter time. wtf?

I hate missionaries. Why can't I just mind my own bussiness and not be bother with the whole "listen to our bullshit or go to hell" stuff.

After living in Canada for all these years, I still havnt seen a infedil assign from that local mosqe trying to convert me to muslam.

PS: Muslem rocks.

keep em knocking

Haha that reminds me... A friend of mine was in a similar situation, except he took the book and said "my this would make excellent rolling paper" The missionaries were floored, and as i recall, didnt come back.

I had two Mormons show up at my door the other day. I own two Jack Russells who I usually lock up when someone is at the door as they make a god awful racket. This time I decided they should accompany me to the door. I opened the door and they started their spiel when my dogs went apeshit. Well, the screen door was shut and I turned and started having a conversation with the dogs, along the lines of "don't be mad, everyone is entitled to their beliefs", "no I don't think they look funny with short sleeve shirts and ties" and "no, you can't bite them". The whole time they're standing there looking at me in disbelief, when I stopped and turned back to them and told them that I wasn't allowed to talk to them anymore, because my dogs didn't like Mormons. I went on to tell them that I didn't have a problem with them, but by this time they were backing away from the door. In hindsight I should have let the dogs out of the door.

I live in the greater Toronto area, and I have yet to see a Jehovah's Witness or a Mormon come to my door. I know they're here (Theres a Kingdom Hall for Jehovah's Witnesses five minutes away), but its like they've given up trying to convert a predominantly atheist group, or devoted catholic/muslim/buddhist/christian minority groups which pretty much makes up all of the GTA.
Or, they don't like converting in the Canadian cold.

When the JW's knock at my door, I just politely tell them that I am Catholic and say thanks for stopping by but no thanks. I don't feel sorry for these guys, but they are only trying to help other people get to heaven (if you believe in heaven) Please remember that they are still people, who are just trying to practice what the they interpet from their bible.

After a recent incident where some Bible types unexpectedly showed up at my door while I was watering my plants naked, I have been receiving all kinds of notes and messages.

For instance, the other day we came home to find a note taped to the deck that said, in part: "Set aside time now, your long awaited Jesus video is in the mail and will be arriving shortly"

etc.

I don't like the idea of having people lurking around my property trying to convert me, so I stuck up a big no trespassing sign, and havn't had any trouble since.

the white shirts and blue trousers are the first warning sign...

The JW's had the extremely obnoxious habit of knocking on my door at 8am on Saturday, usually the only day I have to sleep late. After several instances of asking politely not to bother us anymore, and pointing to the "no solicitors" sign on my front door, my then girlfriend answered the door naked. Never saw them again. It doesn't have anything to do with having respect for their religion (I do), it has everything to do with simple common courtesy, and asking not to be disturbed by people who just cannot seem to take "leave me the hell alone" for an answer.

uhhhhh click here, Prince....and here
here too

I'm 25 and was a JW from birth until 16, when I made it clear to my mother that I wanted out, and subsequently got out. I'm still struggling to deprogram myself to this day, and the emotional, social and psychological tolls have been heavy.

I have no problem with the notion of others being unpleasant or aggressive with JW's because the religion ruined my family and other families in my congregation. It attracts the weak, the gullible and the underachievers, ultimately leaving most of them broken and disillusioned at best. It is very sad.

I've never been deliberately rude with a JW since leaving, but one did come to my door when I was in college and I invited her, an elderly lady, inside for discussion. My responses to her pitch left her stupified as she was evidently short-changed in analytical and critical thinking ability, presumably on account of genetics and lack of formal higher education, which I've found typical for most JW's. Predictably, she couldn't provide satisfactory answers to my simple questions as she'd apparently never considered what I had during the years leading up to my departure. She actually left before I wanted her to, and I kept talking with her as she walked out the door and up the stairs, out of the complex.

JW's, although primarily good-intentioned, do far more observable harm than good when they "spread the good news." Everlasting life on a paradise earth? Not if I have to spend it with these people.

I have a problem with them.
I am a push over!
They talk and they talk, then they give me there bible, a waste of 30-40 min. then they leave.
I tell them that I have my own religion and then they try to make my religion look the same as there's kinda.
I am a shy person so it's hard to say go away, I dont want to hurt there feelings.
I'm so happy when they leave!!!!!!!
I don't let them in my house, I make them talk to me threw the door way.

I know I've already commented on this one.....but the newmanator is right. I have the exact same situation as he/she does....born and raised as one, told my mom to stick it around 14, and have been trying to cope with the leftovers of my mind ever since. I've since turned to pure logic to try and make some sense of it all. (I'm now a computer programmer.) He also makes an excellent point that it ruins families. I am barely on speaking terms with my mother, and I have one brother who I have not spoken to or seen in 10 years.

And the newmanator is also right, it's a religion that prays on the weak minded, the under achievers, and those who tend to believe anything you tell them.

Get into a serious analitical, or philsophical discussion with almost any one of them and you'll see them fold like a cheap card table.

Why doesn't your response (and theirs) surprise me! :)

The thing I dislike the most is the pushy-ness of religious people to try to force their beliefs on me. And I dislike the door-to-door stuff, interupting me in my home, my refuge from the world and the only place I have some semblance of control!

My policy is just to have a quick "not interested" and politely close the door on 'em. Otherwise they either waste my time and/or leave feeling more justified in their mission to spread the word and all that business. Even if you toy with them or freak them out, and they leave you alone, they're probably going to go bug the next person with more vigor, convinced that the heathans are growing and all that. I sometimes think if everyone just ignored them, they'd go away.

In my experience, the Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons that have knocked on my door are good decent people with good intentions. They have been respectful of my beliefs (not into organized religion) and respectful of my boundaries (let's stop the discussion if it gets uncomfortable for either of us).

I would suggest treating them the way you would want to be treated. If you are not interested in discussing religion with them, simply tell them. They will surely go away. Toying with, or disrespecting, them is not terribly productive and frankly, not the right way to handle things.

When I was in high school I used to live in a house with my parents that was built in such a way that I could see who was walking to my front door from just about any room. So when I would see the JW's walking up I would take all my clothes off except for my socks, shoes, and a ball cap and answer the door. It would usually take less than a second for them to turn and walk away. Not one word. My mom would get pissed but my dad would laugh his ass off.

I have a no solicitors sign on my front door. Why then do they keep insisting on coming to my house? Each time I point at the sign they respond that they are not solicitors. My opinion is that they are soliciting religion and they we get in an argument. I find JW and mormons to be intensely annoying. I still try to be polite but it is getting harder and harder to do so. Maybe I should print up a No Religion Peddlers sign to go with my No Solicitors sign?

I like that idea Polyphobic. I'm too old now to get away with the nudity thing. I would probably be arested nowadays.

Wow, after reading all of these posts, I feel like I have so much to reply to. But let me just say one thing...I too grew up in this religion but left when i was 17 (which was not that long ago if any of you have figured out - i'm only 18 now, turning 19 soon). yes, i am still dealing with the repercussions of the decision i made, but i feel it was for the best. the one thing i would like to say though is that from having grown up as a JW, i know that we are taught to just simply walk away if someone states outright that they are not interested and do not want to talk. yes, there are some JW's out there who are pushy and don't listen when you say that, and i cannot speak for them, but the majority will be respectful of your wishes and will leave you alone. so its really not necessary to be outright rude to them or to play some joke on them like showing up naked to the door....show respect and they will too....

They're also getting up in people's business. If they had booths asking people to be saved or even ads or whatever, I wouldn't care. Going door-to-door and harassing people because you believe they're heathens is pretty fucking rude in my opinion. You don't see me going door-to-door telling people to recycle and stop littering, even though it would be a hell of a more useful thing to preach to them. You bring it upon yourself when you bother people in their own home.

In my experience, born again christians are much much worse, cause they'll get you in places you can't escape them. I had one on an overcrowded late night flight, with no place to move to, pretending I didn't speak english didnt even help. This woman NEVER SHUT UP the entire time about how I needed to be saved, and how I had to accept... Oh whatever lady - I'm going to hell, Sister Mary What's her name told me so in 3rd grade, and I'm OK with it.

With JW and other Christians who feel the need to convert others, why? Do they get a finders fee on souls they bring in? Religion, or lack there of, is a personal choice, why's it anyone's business but the person.