Religion Comes Knocking

[chops]

I saw a bit of a twist today....JWs canvassing a local laundromat. I could see what they were up to when I saw them parked in front.

Now, this was one of the rare times when there were actually any number of people in the laundromat. I'm actually glad they weren't very pushy...one of them was the chitchatty kind of person, the other was the one who approached me. I quickly dismissed him with a "not interested"...yes, I know I could've handled it better, but I could've handled it worse, too. I just don't like the idea of being preached to, and it gets me on edge.

[DesignFox]

Back when I was still living with my parents, we had the JW's come around a couple of times. They were never pushy, though. Always pretty polite...usually just handed me a pamphlet and walked away when I said no thank you.

I did know a child in elementary school who was a JW. I always felt bad for him that he had to leave the classroom during holiday celebrations or when other children were celebrating their birthdays (and that our teacher always set aside time to celebrate on everyone's birthday- but we couldn't for him). Even during Halloween, he could not dress in costume or participate in the Halloween parade...it made me sort of sad to see him get left out like that...

Sometimes, I wonder what he's doing now, and if he kept the faith of his parents. I remember him being very sweet as a kid, too...he seemed to take it all in stride...

[Jadedcarguy]

Sadly, I have to agree with the above. When I was living at home, some Jehovah's Witnesses came to the door, two nice old ladies who reminded me of my gramma. I talked to them for a couple of minutes since even my hellbound non believing soul had the heart to slam the door in their faces, and didn't give them any indication I was buying what they were selling. I thought I gave them a polite dismissal, but I had them knocking on my door every weekend for like a month until I had to resort to the old "dive behind the couch until they go away" routine.

I guess it was a pretty ironic twist, usually older people are preyed upon by scammers, this time the old folks were coming after me.

Pentagram. Nail. Front Door. Nuf said.

[CancelMyService]

Sadly, I have to agree with the above. When I was living at home, some Jehovah's Witnesses came to the door, two nice old ladies who reminded me of my gramma. I talked to them for a couple of minutes since even my hellbound non believing soul had the heart to slam the door in their faces, and didn't give them any indication I was buying what they were selling. I thought I gave them a polite dismissal, but I had them knocking on my door every weekend for like a month until I had to resort to the old "dive behind the couch until they go away" routine.

I guess it was a pretty ironic twist, usually older people are preyed upon by scammers, this time the old folks were coming after me.

[DexX]

For many years, my wife and I shared a house with a friend of ours. He's a lovely guy, but a bit of a pushover. One day i got home from work a bit later than usual and found him and my wife sitting in the living room with a couple of religious doorknockers. When we finally got rid of them, our housemate apologised - he'd felt sorry for them.

The problem was that they kept coming back. Over the next two months, they knocked on the door no less than four more times, two of those in the first week. They kept asking for our housemate to come to the door, asking why he hadn't gone to church the past weekend. They started to get amazingly pushy and rude. One time they turned up in a group of four. FOUR OF THEM!

The longer it went on, the less and less polite I got. I told them our friend wasn't interested, but they seemed to want to hear it from him. I finally got him to tell them to go away, and they stayed away.

They are like regular scam artists - once they find an easy mark, they won't let up until they are chased away.

[MadMike]

Back when I was still living with my ex, some mormons showed up. I was tired and was trying to politely get rid of them, but she invited them in.

To their credit, they were nice enough, but they just went on and on and on...

Some JWs showed up here a few years ago, around Christmas time. It was a Saturday morning, so I was still in bed, but my wife was up. She wanted to get rid of them, so without thinking, she told them we were jewish. Not sure if they believed that one, with the multicolored lights strung all over the outside of the house, the two wooden reindeer in the front yard, the wreath on the door, and the 7-foot tree in the living room.

[Jadedcarguy]

I'm atheist, so I usually just tell them that and grin when they recoil as if presented with the devil himself. Most religious folks don't really understand what atheist means.

[Seshat]

My mom invites “Jesus salesmen” to convert to her religion.

Now that's a great idea!

When she recovered, she changed churches and denominations to the local chapel, because their pastor followed the eight beatitudes (“Visit the sick, feed the hungry, clothe the naked…”).

Excellent reason to switch.

I think if more denominations and more religions worked together we would all be much happier.
<snip>
They honestly didn’t care which congregation the youngsters chose to attend, they just wanted to inspire them. It made me feel warm and fuzzy, even if I won’t be getting fired up.

Totally agreed.

[Sylvia727]

My mom invites “Jesus salesmen” to convert to her religion. “Why, no thank you, I’m quite happy with my church. We’re down at the corner of Blank and Blah, you’re welcome to join us at any time.” Said with a smile, it’s usually the fastest and politest way of getting rid of them. If they show any interest, she tells them all about her congregation and her dogma.

My grandma changed churches once, not based on pushy conversions, but genuine caring. When she broke her hip and was laid up in the hospital for two weeks, the pastor of her 30-year parish didn’t visit or call her at all, but the pastor of the campus chapel visited her twice. The second time, he brought a magazine and a candy bar. When she recovered, she changed churches and denominations to the local chapel, because their pastor followed the eight beatitudes (“Visit the sick, feed the hungry, clothe the naked…”).

I think if more denominations and more religions worked together we would all be much happier. I was eating in a café last month, and in the booth next to mine were three gentlemen discussing their missionary work. Apparently their church was getting together with other denominations to “get young people fired up about Christ”. They honestly didn’t care which congregation the youngsters chose to attend, they just wanted to inspire them. It made me feel warm and fuzzy, even if I won’t be getting fired up.

[Seshat]

They believe their specific religion is the only salvation. They honestly want to give people a chance to survive the coming Armageddon. Also, they believe they have to preach in order for Armageddon to come. Jehovah will not move forward with it until everyone alive has been given a chance to worship him.

If there's anyone in the Western world who hasn't heard of JWs and had a copy of their Watchtower(?) shoved into their hands, I envy them. And they probably live on a Station in Outback Australia, or in the middle of the Canadian tundra.

My argument stands - and the JWs don't care, I'm sure.

Seshat: The whole "waiting for God to fix everything" mantra is one of the reasons I'm no longer a JW. I believe we should make the best of the world we have right now, instead of waiting for God to fix things for us. Oh, and I happen to agree with your views on overpopulation.
<snip>
Once again, their belief of "God will fix everything" prevails.

And I couldn't disagree more.

I think waiting for God to fix everything is lazy! Like a child who makes a mess they're perfectly capable of cleaning up, and waiting for Mummy to fix it.

I like to think I'm adult. I'm pleased you agree.

[AFPheonix]

We've had Mormons bring babies along, too, so they're not entirely without guilt in that regard.
These were usually really young couples who hadn't figured out the whole baby thing yet, though. The last time it was very cold out and they hadn't dressed the baby appropriately, much less themselves so Mom let them in to warm up and evangelized them right back.

[Saydrah]

I have to admit I'm not near as fond of JW's as of Mormons; I just don't think it's right to have children that young going door to door. Having been a canvasser (door to door trying to get people to help the environment) myself and a lifelong political junkie who actually enjoys precinct walking, I've seen some real crazies who answer the door with weapons and the like- I'd never bring a child along, especially for religious purposes. I think the Mormons have the right idea (though the sexism I could do without)- if you MUST put someone in danger, make it young adults who are capable of running fast if necessary!

[Norton]

As a former Jehovah's Witness, I can give you some insight to the other side of the story. Note that I say former JW. I was raised that way, but have since come to term with my own beliefs.


Saydrah: It's very nice of you to be hospitable to missionaries. Even if you aren't swayed by their message, I'm sure they appreciate your attitude and kindness. We used to go door-to-door in all kinds of weather, sometimes for hours on end. It was always nice when a householder offered us a drink, or just a chance to get out of the weather while we spoke.

this sort of preaching is extremely rude. In this society, everyone has heard of Christ - it's extremely hard to avoid hearing of Christ. Therefore, I - or anyone else - either already know a great deal about Christianity, or am capable of going to a library or church and finding out.

Ah, but there are different kinds of Christianity. JWs are different from Catholics, Protestants, and Baptists. They believe their specific religion is the only salvation. They honestly want to give people a chance to survive the coming Armageddon. Also, they believe they have to preach in order for Armageddon to come. Jehovah will not move forward with it until everyone alive has been given a chance to worship him.

I want so desperately to ask the landlord to make the properties "no soliciting"

That won't help in the case of JWs. They give free literature, so they're not technically soliciting. They are encouraged by the higher-ups to ask for donations, but they rarely do, from what I've seen. Maybe they're more insistant about donations in some parts of the country, though.

I am half tempted to answer the door topless sometimes, just for giggles though.

JWs visit many many houses every year. That probably wouldn't be the first time they've seen someone under-dressed. In fact, they'll probably be relieved that you didn't answer the door brandishing a weapon, or threatening to sic a dog on them like some people have done. I've had all the above happen to me in my 10+ years as a JW.

Seshat: The whole "waiting for God to fix everything" mantra is one of the reasons I'm no longer a JW. I believe we should make the best of the world we have right now, instead of waiting for God to fix things for us. Oh, and I happen to agree with your views on overpopulation.

I once got some JWs to admit in front of their daughter (she was four-years-old or so) that if her life depended on a blood transfusion that they'd let her die.

Yes, it's very sad. Because of a few lines in an ancient book, JWs deny themselves and their families a possibly life-saving procedure. Thankfully for them, there are often alternatives to blood tranfusions available. Not always, though...
The fact that they admitted this in front of their daughter is no suprise to me. I had a Medical Directive Card (also known as a Blood Card) for as long as I could remember. The card stated that no blood was to be given to me under any circumstance. Every year when they were renewed, a sermon would be given about why JWs abstain from blood. My mother would also explain to me how if I were ever in a hospital and she wasn't there, to make sure that doctors gave me no blood. She said I could kick and scream and pull the I.V. out of my arm if necessary. JWs are told this from very early on. Often even as children, their beliefs are so strong that they'll die for them - but of course anyone who dies before Armageddon gets to be resurrected in a new perfect body after all the wicked has been wiped out.

Once again, their belief of "God will fix everything" prevails.

And I couldn't disagree more.

[Seshat]

I once got some JWs to admit in front of their daughter (she was four-years-old or so) that if her life depended on a blood transfusion that they'd let her die.

Ooooh, Raps! I like that.

Oddly, I haven't had the JWs at my door since my overpopulation spiel.

[Rapscallion]

I once got some JWs to admit in front of their daughter (she was four-years-old or so) that if her life depended on a blood transfusion that they'd let her die.

I've not had to deal with any door-to-door proselytisers (spelling? don't care right now) for some time. Mind you, I'm pretty much always at work if there's overtime available.

Rapscallion