The Abrahamic faiths are all about recruitment, even if it has to be forced. This is why religion must be kept away from government. And before anyone says it: Our government is very much in violation of this.

I'm baffled that religious groups are still allowed at airports? I would have thought they were banned after 9/11?

Probably rode their bikes.

I remember being accosted in airports by people touting their beliefs. I even remember when the Hare Krishnas used to sing, dance, and make all sorts of noise, all the while, trying to get you to give them money. That seemed to reach it's peak during the 80s, and then I think the airports started cracking down on it.

I might whup this on them and let them carry my bags to the car.

Whoever compels you to
go one mile, go with him two.
Matthew 5:41

That is a real problem with religions, they feel that they must pollute every ones minds with their garbage.

weird

Or

People are in a hurry at the airport. What are they thinking?

They can be as annoying as the 'Moonies" were in the 1970s.

In the tradition of the Hare Krishnas! Haven't seen them for a while - are they in the Jehovah's Witness Protection Plan now?

Yeah, not a place to talk to people amiably, plane rides are not enjoyable to me. Can you imagine being stuck on a plane with a bunch of Jehovah witnesses? Sounds like the premis of a bad movie “Jahovahs witnesses on a plane”.

I think it reflects the alternate reality that the ardent fundamentalists live in -- a sort of bubble where they are genuinely excited by their faith or genuinely afraid of not measuring up, and can't really imagine that other people are INDIFFERENT to it. It just doesn't compute.

Most of them also have a Jesus complex a mile wide, and fantasize about "saving" others and enjoying their eternal gratitude.

A simple put-down is to ask them if all 144,000 spots for heaven are filled - they'll say "yes". (They think only that amount will make it to heaven.) Then ask: "Why are you asking me to join a religion that guarantees I won't be going to heaven?"

I have no issue with anything like this as long as I can walk by/around and ignore them. If they want to get in my face, I will say I am not interested and continue on my way. You do you and I do me.

Long ago I worked with a woman who had freed herself from this fanatical cult. Her stories were pretty scary. Yes, they actively seek venues where they can disseminate their beliefs but their society is so strict and unyielding that anyone who eschews or questions their belief system is ejected from the community; never to speak to anyone still in the community - including their parents, siblings or children - ever again.

In their minds they felt successful because not only did you acknowledge their presence and message but they also got a reaction from you.

In England I would just give them the 2 fingered salute Australia - that is too wearisome and only the middle digit is used.

Makes you wonder if they don't have anything better to do with their time, doesn't it? No, I've never seen that; then again, I'm not in airports that much.

What goes around comes around. I still remember the hari krishnas.

My niece and her family came for a visit once. They are Jehovha's Witnesses. They didn't try to recruit us but did state their goofy beliefs and I stated mine. I did find out several things. They are against prayer in school because it is not their prayers or their 'book'. I also discovered there are some groups in the area (but not on my island - these are 7th day Adventists) but the groups get together and set up their webs on certain ferries. They sit with some sign and wait for the flies to come to them. I never noticed this before but now I know what to look for.

I used to see the JW at the airport every time I would go, but I haven't seen them in years.
I am sure that they get dropped off, airport parking is just to pricey these days.
I saw about 12 JW walking up my street the other day, they walked up to the house across the street, they have a "NO TRESPASSING" sign on the gate at eye level, and these two JW open the gate and walk in....

if talking to them after crapping myself on a plane is what they think they are very much mistaken.

I've never seen that. What I do see is them all over the city with their little stands.

They're like diet xians , so they don't seem so bad , but they are obnoxious