Depends on my mood and my perception. Sometimes you can see them sizing up the paintwork, the veranda furniture, your clothes/jewellery and you know they are sharks patrolling the gullible pool. Other times they are genuine folks just out to do some good in the world. I had a couple of kids (early twenties) recently who simply asked if I had any chores I needed help with and made no attempt to evangelise/preach etc, and another guy who deeply appreciated the chance to sit in the shade with a cool drink for a while and have a bit of a break/chat. In my opinion, we need to be aware of the sharks, the parasites and the unbalanced zealots, but also to remain aware that there are good people out there who are struggling to get through life and make a positive impact on their way, just like we are.

I have a sign posted on my porch that says no solicitations or preaching. If someone still knocks, I point at the sign and ask them if they can read. They usually turn and leave at that point.

Don't answer. pretty simple

The first ones are usually the "newbs"... so you mess them up with, "Is it true that God has a divine plan?".. they say "Indeed"... then say "Well if the plan is divine, why the fuck bother praying in the first place?... what's god supposed to do, change his plan, just for you?"

If you get the point where they start sending the "big guns" out... ask them to verify the following: All life came from Adam & Eve, correct?.. They say "yes". Then say Adam & Eve had two sons, Cain & Abel, correct?"...and they say "Yes".... then say, "Well where did their WIVES come from?".... that usually sends them packing.

I ran off 2 Baptist ladies last summer. Told them my past and said I do not believe any longer. OMG! They had a fit. Nature, trees, and the sky proves there is a god, they said. If you mess with me too much I will destroy your arguments quickly using the very book you believe from. This is easy coz the bible is a jumbled mess. Let's assume you are Muslim. How do you believe that the prophet flew to heaven on a "winged horse?" This is an impossible fairy tale. Anyone ever heard of a winged horse? All holy writings have their idiotic areas.

Many years ago I would invite them in, thinking that I could enlighten or convince them that they were being very presumptuous. I naively thought you could have some sort of meaningful discourse with them as you might with intelligent, open minded people. I very quickly found that they are there to sell their bullshit to you and anything you say is totally ignored, hence, no more entry! That goes for the little boys on bicycles too.They are brainwashed so effectively at such a young age that it is frightening!

By carefully responding to a statement or query with a regressive question, i.e. the 'what before that?"question, "How/why did that happen?" etc., (obviously different for most opening conversations,) you can begin an infinite regress of questions which resolves with either a 'God and the devil must be the same thing' conclusion or 'what exists where God isn't.' This 'godless hole' or dual autonomy for an everlasting all-pervading being creates a conflict for the concept of an omnipresent being. Most Christian based evangelists will disappear at this point and leave you in peace. Zoroastrianism is worth a look to see how this type of conflict is approached and played out in a doctrinal/philosophical context.

I usually invite them in to continue the conversation over juice or tea.

Been years, but I laugh and shut the door.

A few years back I let a Jehovah's Witless in, just to hear their spiel for entertainment. Almost immediately I noticed that she kept looking at my coffee table, where I had my paintball gun and supplies sitting out for cleaning from my previous day's fun. She didn't seem to know the difference between paijntball and real guns, and didn't stay long. But a few weeks later she called the police and claimed that I was a terrorist and had hostages, which led to a SWAT team surrounding my house. I wasn't home at the time, and eventually the police figured out that it was a crank call and left. I didn't find out about it for weeks.

I don't let them in anymore.

In Germany I was once forced to answer the door wrapped in a towel because the JW's wouldn't stop ringing the doorbell while I was having a shower (I was working nightshifts at the time). They were an older guy and a younger woman, I looked at them and said "hey we're having an orgy, you fancy joining in"? I was never bothered by JW's again in Germany and only once more elsewhere (Netherlands). I think I've been blacklisted!

We have always been as polite - but short - as possible. Since we moved up here to the TN mountains, we have had them come by - usually groups of two or three men - until a couple of years ago. It was early in the morning when the doorbell rang and while I was struggling to open the door while containing a 100 lb German Shepherd, I had a slight "wardrobe malfunction". I don't know who was more embarrassed -- me or them. They skedaddled pretty fast and we didn't have any more visits for about 2 years - now they've started up again but they're sending the women now!

I have had many a person come to the door wanting to preach religion. What I found works so they don't come back is to know more about religion from a philosophical level. Thay leave better informed than when they arrived and as i do most of the talking lol i don't cop an ear bashing. Must admit have moved to the country they don't venture out here like the city.

Those fools knock on my door I invite them for a talk about Allah, and I take down a thick book fromt the shelf and claim its the Koran. They usually run for the hills.

I don't answer the door for unexpected knocks. Anyone I consider worthy of knocking on my door has my cell number & would have called ahead.

Answer the door shirtless holding a beer eating pork grinds. If you can burp. A fart would be better.

I planning on opening the door butt ass naked next time and inviting them in for coffee and....

Whenever someone comes to the door, the dogs begin to growl and bark. I do not open the door; there is too much crime. We live in a rural area and are wary of uninvited visitors.

These people are sincere in their beliefs. I thank them for their time after explaining my atheism while acknowledging their intent. I think that they might reach a neighbour or someone who has a drug habit perhaps... Religion can indeed assist in saving people from hopelessness while giving them a supportive social network in the form if their church. Secularists are less likely go door knocking asking if someone has a problem. Hmm. Food for thought.

I got ambushed by some Witnesses a few months ago out the front of my house. My reflex was to ask about their 144 000 reserved placements in Heaven. “Is it first come first served or more of a Deadman’s Boots system?”

They were polite and were on their way soon after.

I'm a certified Reverend of Dude-ism, so I just tell them and usually all the hear is Reverend, so they just leave.

I used to be polite to the JWs that came by, but they wouldn't give up. My teenaged son told me that he would take care of it next time. When they came by, they asked if he was a christian and he answered, "I am a pantheist." They had never heard of that, so he explained, in great detail, about a panoply of gods, each one for specific things. As they were leaving, he followed them down the driveway, still espousing his 'views' (possibly Nordic, or Greek - not sure), all the way to the road. They did not come back for a couple of years.

I am very polite and tell them I have my own faith...but i try get rid of them fast. I door knock ( well I did in NY) not atheism...but for political candidates so I understand how awkward and uncomfortable it is.

Never done this myself but I have a friend who answers the door nearly naked!