I taught my children that simply because someone rang the doorbell, it doesn't mean we had to answer it, same with the phone. I think teaching boundaries is important and this is a boundary issue. We should not feel compelled to allow other people take up our time when we don't want to give our time to them.

Engage them in conversation, I haven't yet with JW, but did with some Mormon missionaries. Interesting discussion.

Some religions have a mandate to proseletyze. Their aim is to make sure everyone has the chance to be "saved" by receiving and accepting "the word of God". It doesn't seem to occur to them that many of us don't buy the malarkey, and don't want to be bothered with it.

Probably the most annoying thing at my house is that the damn dogs go ballistic when the doorbell rings, happens every time.

If you tell to put your address on a do not return list thay will do so, there Just lost people at least the ones on the bottom anyway.

This is proof of their Iron Age mentality and shows their rigidity to any new ideas. I feel sorry for ignorant people, but it's not my job to be their entertainment.

I've always answered the door when they've knocked. It's always been a polite exchange and have never had an experience where they've tried to sell me on god and JW's.

I'm polite to them and just say no thank you. My dad used to say he belonged the the round church so the devil can't trap you in the corner.

I was raised Christian, the ones I knew were very good people. I try to be polite as I can while I let them know im not interested.

A lady approached me at a truck stop with a bible and some pamphlet. Before she could say anything I said ma'am I'm not interested in your religion. She said have you ever read the bible? I said yes, have you ever read a science book? She just walked away.

I always open my door and have a little fun Biblically jousting with them.

we don't go around there houses telling them how to fuck and drink booze

As long as we have humans who cannot handle reality,we will have silly superstitions. Look at Scientology. Why would anyone with half a brain believe that nonsense in the 21st Century, but it goes well beyond common sense.

They usually end up telling me I am a hellspawn.

I'm old enough to remember the Fuller Brush Man.
He was more useful.

Same basic reason the Mormons do it, recruitment. I always answer, and stop them in the middle of their pitch to tell them I'm an atheist, and to have a nice day. ?

Say to them, "Let me tell you about our savior the devil. I have some borchures (grab anything paper, fold it, and offer it to them.) I think they will leave.

Get a big dog that barks. My dog Sassy keeps the snake oil salesmen away.

"According to your beliefs, I'm already condemned. According to my way of thinking, you're selling snake oil and I don't want any of it." Door then closes.

Yup, religion can be sad.