Whether they be Witnesses, Mormons, or another proselytizing religion, how do you deal with people coming to your door to spread their religion?
I just had my first experience since getting a place of my own and had a decent conversation through the crack in my door. After I told him I was an atheist he tried to use apologetics; when I told him I was familiar with his arguments and didn't find them convincing further explaining that I take a scientific route of belief and chose not to believe until there is evidence for a god. He understood and thanked me for explaining and listening to him and he left with a handshake. I was surprised at myself for how civil I was to him but how does everyone else usually respond?
I love them coming to my door. Several years ago I had a kind of friend with the JW's. I was not non-religious at the time, but I told him that I had no problems having a conversation with him, but that he should know from the beginning that I was not open to the JW's, but If he was in the neighborhood, he always would be welcome for a cup of coffee and a chat. That's what happened for years, until he got married, got children and got another area.
Nowadays, I love to challenge them (well, they are coming to my door) with all kind of questions.
I keep a besom at the door. If I'm not in the mood for a time waster I tell them what it's for and then sweep them out of the area. If I'm feeling feeling like a chat I'll talk to them and THEN use the broom.
I always invite them in... then murder them. Just kidding lol
I typically have great conversations with them! They are usually polite, they try their best, and eventually realize it is a waste of time and they should move on. But generally they have been really kind and polite. Kindness goes a long way with me, even if I don't agree with what you are doing.
Years ago, while living in Africa, Religious nuts were always hanging out at the post office handing out "The Upper Room". I just told them that their little booklets were the best beer coasters I ever had. (I was not lying. As one page gets old just rip it off and have a new page.) Needless to say, they stopped approaching me. Thank God. LOL
Happens all the time because I live less than a mile from a JW Kingdom Hall. Usually I engage them. For the most part I've had pleasant conversations, but neither of us have changed our minds!
Once upon a time I lived with my brother, we stripped down and answered the door naked. Good times!
Usually (if I have time, at least) I invite them in, hit the bookshelf, and pull out all my books on the topic of religion, including the Bible. More than happy to chat about it, I'm never mean, and shortly they wind up excusing themselves out.
We try to be very quiet and hope they don’t knock. If they do we don’t open the door. I once had a man bother me in my car as I was eating lunch in a rush about to go take an exam. I am always friendly but I rip their pamphlets to shreds when I get home. I find it very rude to ambush me in my own car where I can’t really escape.
If I am not expecting anyone I might not answer the door. My kids know to call before they head my way, and they know how to get in. And then if I do answer the door I'm pretty good with saying "get the hell off my porch."
That's strange to me. I grew up in a town that didn't have them, at least not to my knowledge. I don't remember anyone ever coming to peddle religion. I moved around a lot in my late teens and early 20s so I don't think I settled long enough to have anyone come knocking. When I finally did settle it was out in the country where they generally didn't go. Before I lived where I am now, I was in an apartment for 4 years where it wasn't allowed. It wasn't until this last 3 years that I've been in a place smack in the middle of a handful of Baptists that I've had the door knockers. I'm pleasant, and tell them I'm not a church kind of person and really don't like crowds. I think I've had 4-5 visits but only one got a little pushy. That one I had to tell them I wasn't Christian and wasn't interested. When the person percisted I fell back to a quick talking assurances method, that I was secure in my own faith and I'm pleased they had their own but that I had some things to attend to. If I ever get some inclination I'd be happy to stop by. A smile, a nod a handshake and a wave if there is anyone in the car, then the closing of the door. I never invite them in though. That's commiting to a chat I really don't want to have.
Ignore them until they go away, or shout that I'm not allowed to answer the door.
I will be polite in telling them "No Thank You" but I do have a patience limit when they keep insisting. I ran into that recently with two females who would not stop. That is until I open the door fully, I was standing behind the door with a tshirt and boxers on, and stressed I had better things to do than keep trying to be polite and while I needed to finish getting dressed. They were embarrassed then and left.
It depends - with JW is essentially impossible to talk. They are indoctrinated to the level of psychosis.
Yet the Mormons are generally nice - actually I see them, talk them and discuss with them pretty often.
And generally I am pretty opened for a religious discussion.
When a team of proselyters comes to my door I am friendly but firm and I tell them I am not interested in discussing religion with them. I live in a small town, work closely with members of the christian community and I am friends with some of them. Most people around here know how I feel. They show up maybe once a year and I am not overly bothered by the visit. What does bother me is a group from the Pentecostal church who stands down at the corner with a bull horn, preaching. They bring the children holding signs and put them on display. I literally have to roll my passenger side window up so I do not get blasted in the ear.
I have done something similar back in the days I wanted to defame them, I would invite them in and explain about my position, I prayed they would reach my door this day and since god sent them, they came in. I told them about satan and then ran out of time. Now I smile and say no thank you but I do appreciate them thinking of me, What the hell, they will never understand reality until it hits them square in the face
Answer the door, inappropriately clad, speaking as if mentally compromised, and launch into my best fervent evangelical diatribe, pontificating on the meta-physical certainty of the random Bovine Scatology that is present in my mind.
I've run the gamut from debating them, pretending to sacrifice one of my pet chickens to Satan in front of them, to waving through the window and refusing to open the door. To be determined which is the best technique.