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?
Generally I'll listen to their pitch. Observe their body language, tone. After listening for a bit I'll tell them I'm agnostic and gauge their response, and how they adjust their technique.
I then grade them silently like I'm judging a competition.
I don't let them in my home, either.
It has been several years since I’ve encountered a door-knocker. In recent years I’ve grown tremendously in my knowledge and passion for atheism, so I really look forward to my next door-knocker. I plan to invite them in and engage in a polite, in-depth conversation.
As a twelve year old in Britain, I once answered the door to Mormons and said the first thing that came into my head: "We're all communists here." They positively fled.
My brother-in-law invites God-botherers in for a cup of tea and very politely demolishes any argument they care to present. I tried something similar, again in Bllighty, and invited one (a Jehovah's Witness?) in for a meeting of the minds. I knew it was a lost cause when he told me in all seriousness that, following whatever passes for the Rapture within his sect, the land would be rolled back - taking with it the nuclear power plants and their long-long-lasting and unstable radioactive core that I'd expressed concern about - to reveal a bright, newly minted Eden. Ghost Dancers of the 1890s had the same (in their case, desperately) wishful solution to the fatal encroachment of Europeans and the near-genocidal tactics of the US army.
I take one look; say "no thanks" and shut the door
I have had Witnesses come and "visit". I hear them out and even take their literature. I have found that, if you question them enough about some of the idiotic parts of the Bible they will reach a point where they will not be able to find an answer. Since I am retired I have plenty of time and there is plenty of shit in the Bible to ask questions about.
I was a farmer on Delmarva, the Mormon elders who weren't old enough to shave would show up looking for my step daughter. She had joined in D.C. Zbut lived in So Cal. I never drew my pistol, but I told them to strip off the white shirts and pick up a shovel or I'd call the sherrif... I think if one comes here to 22643, I will put them on their knees, hands on top of head and give them a large pebble to suck on (Polynesian punishment tech) until the Sheriffs arrive...... I don't own a backhoe anymore.
My father has used to ask, and this only works for believers in Jesus, "what can you tell me about the Council of Nicea?" And when they inevitably replied... "what?" He'd tell them to look it up and come back.
Awesome Dad, right there!
I talk with them and debate them. I always treat them with respect. I used to evangelize myself, I get where they're coming from. I essentially take it as an opportunity to evangelize atheism. Many of the most outspoken atheists are former believers. Maybe I can get them to Join our ranks
I talk with them and debate them. I always treat them with respect. I used to evangelize myself, I get where they're coming from. I essentially take it as an opportunity to evangelize atheism. Many of the most outspoken atheists are former believers. Maybe I can get them to Join our ranks
I do have fun with them. I'm a show me type of guy & ask those kind of questions.
I like engaging them civilly. I tend to go for a Platonic questioning route and let them talk and inevitably they talk themselves into something silly. Usually this repeats over and over, but I'm good with that if I have the time.
I get the feeling they never get to talk without it being a pitch and I've had some lovely conversations on mild sunny days where the elder of the two rushed the younger away when they started nodding at my statements.
I've found that people who want to tell me all about their religion almost never want to hear about mine.
It depends on what kind of mood I am in. If I am wearing my Mickey Mouse T-shirt, I will patiently listen to them, take a copy of their reading material and thank them for "sharing"
If not...I listen to them, nod in the affirmative, ask questions to make them think I am about to become a believer and then tell them "Nah..I'm good.
If I am feeling naughty, I will listen to them with a confused look on my face and then ask them something uncomfortable, like.."what does your faith teach about masturbation?"
@LetzGetReal I figured it would get them to praying hard or running!!???
I tell them there is no Solicitation in my community and they have 5 seconds to leave before I call the police.
It's nice to have a Mossberg 500 at port arms when you explain..... Have never made a citizens Arrest, may happen, getting old and cranky!
Honestly, I kill them with kindness. Seriously. It confuses them more than any insults, mockery, or slander could ever do. I tell them thanks but no thank you, politely refuse their pamphlets, and tell them to have a good day when they leave.
Maybe it's just that I get the same churches in my area but no matter what different faces show up each time, I do the same thing. Most seem shocked that a non-christian is so polite & kind, even if they try to bait me in to debating.
Admittedly I was in a bad mood once, and when they rang I told them the Muslims got to me first, called them infidels and demanded they leave... followed their "God bless you" comment up with an "Allah akbar". Yeah it was a jerky thing to do, kinda felt bad after but I had a bad day & i just let it get to me & took it out on them. /shrug
If I even do answer the door, and they come on Sunday, I ask them if they talk to their God. If they reply "Yes" then I state in a loud voice, WELL, TELL YOUR GOD I'M WATCHING FOOTBALL, and close the door. Alternately, I ask them for their address. When they recover from their shock and ask "Why", I tell them that I want to come over and talk to their kids about Satanism or Islam. They leave quickly.