Happy Atheist Forum

Don't know if this is the place to post, or perhaps there is a thread relating to it. I'd like to know what you do when religious solicitors come to your door. This happens quite frequently where I am, and it feels like an invasion of privacy to me, especially when I ask them not to return and yet they do. How do you guys and gals react to this? (I'm seriously thinking of faking demonic possession next time they come calling. Maybe that will get my point across? kidding...)

Cheers,
Holly

You could put up one or all of the following:

(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F51i22M3mOTL._SL160_.jpg&hash=e87abc5d7146efbd01bc655e61be7088f9a97786)

(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fatlassignsandplaques.com%2Fimages%2Fproducts%2Fdetail%2FNoSolicitors.png&hash=e8c7b81d37dc82f31704e45f951972f413dd82d0)

(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cartoonstock.com%2Flowres%2Fmba0905l.jpg&hash=77bf878fd23bce99bf4538bfa4d011317d7d0cba)

I haven't had anyone trying to sell religion at my door for a long long time, I think I was a child the last time I saw one at a place I was living.  But when people are there trying to sell other stuff I usually just don't answer the door and may yell through it that I'm not interested (don't like opening door to strangers if home alone).

It happens once a week (at least) where I live. While I do have a "Illness in family. Do not disturb" sign on the door, people from local churches still feel the need to come calling. It isn't always a matter of ignoring them. My roommate has a bad habit of opening the door and having lengthy discussions about Christ, etc. I wouldn't have a problem with that, except it perpetuates the issue, since he contends he doesn't want them coming around either. The thing is, when I bother to answer the door, I politely tell them that I'm not interested. They are persistent...
Just curious how other people handle it, that's all. Nothing mind-blowing. Simple question.

Cheers,
Holly

I've got two things that I do. Normally its the first one, but one of these days, when the mood strikes me just right, I am going to do the second, and hopefully have the wherewithall to record it.

1. Tell them I'm not interested politely and start to shut the door. If they persist I fling the door open step out on to the porch (I'm 6'6" and 370 pounds) and say "I'm not fucking interested, and I've told you that once already!", and then they leave.

2. I'm hoping when the Mormons come-a-calling and I'm, like I said, in that "mood", I'll invite them in and start brewing a fresh pot of coffee and offer it to them. When they refuse, I will half-jokingly ask if they have something against coffee. Obviously, I know they do, but I want to get their take on it. My goal throughout will be to control the conversation, because afterall, they're in my house. I will set ground rules like don't interrupt me, don't feed me "it's God's plan" bullshit, and don't ask me why I believe something I believe... I'm not the one trying to sway them. I'm sure it won't go that way, but I want my house to be blacklisted from those people.

I just answer the door wearing my inverted pentagram / 666 t-shirt.  

Quote from: "Whitney"You could put up one or all of the following:
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fatlassignsandplaques.com%2Fimages%2Fproducts%2Fdetail%2FNoSolicitors.png&hash=e8c7b81d37dc82f31704e45f951972f413dd82d0)

In places where the British legal system has been inherited a solicitor is a lawyer, so this sign could have other benefits.

I just say "no" and close the door. Simple as that.

My neighborhood must be safe haven from JoHo's because we never get any. There are the occasional neighbors' lawn workers who beg me to hire them to chop down my tree!  

I invite them in, make coffee and lecture them on the infinite glory of Satan.  

Quote from: "Asmodean"I invite them in, make coffee and lecture them on the infinite glory of Satan.  :P

Quote from: "Asmodean"I invite them in, make coffee and lecture them on the infinite glory of Satan.  

LOL I'd love to try that, but my roommate would not approve. Love your response. I was kinda hoping for that sort of thing, or what people would like to do when the church comes calling. I think I'd make strange tea instead... Mwahaha.

Me, I don't have a roomie. I do, however, have pet rats, which for some reason seem to emphasise my every point in the eyes of poor JWs and mormons and whatnots... the same pair very rarely comes back  

Quote from: "Asmodean"Me, I don't have a roomie. I do, however, have pet rats, which for some reason seem to emphasise my every point in the eyes of poor JWs and mormons and whatnots... the same pair very rairly comes back  

You'd be amazed how much rats and roomies have in common! LOL

Cheers,
Holly

"You must try it, it's a delicacy, but don't eat the penis, it's just garnish." - The Ref

I have a 90 pound black seizure prone dog that likes to greet people    People don't always like her slobbering all over them or her habit of jumping to greet so they don't ring my door bell anymore.  Which is good cause that door bell can trigger the slobber inducing seizure to begin with.
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.krausdesigns.com%2Fimages%2FDogs%2FIMG_0568a.JPG&hash=2c8bd224e367ebb7d13feb3aabb96716b09357a8)

Jehova's witnesses believe they can go to hell for seeing another man naked. So I'd say that's the perfect moment for guys to... Get naked.

Just Sayin'

i think you're in trouble tink, cuz now that they know you have an illness they are intent on "saving you", you are now one of their life's missions.
the fact that your room mate has already talked to them and let them in has made your situation even more bleak.
it will take a lot to get them off your back.  and you will have to get mean.  they seem to respond better to when a male tells them to back off and leave their woman alone.  i'd have one of your male friends threaten them with physical punishment if they came back.

Quote from: "legs laney"i think you're in trouble tink, cuz now that they know you have an illness they are intent on "saving you", you are now one of their life's missions.
the fact that your room mate has already talked to them and let them in has made your situation even more bleak.
it will take a lot to get them off your back.  and you will have to get mean.  they seem to respond better to when a male tells them to back off and leave their woman alone.  i'd have one of your male friends threaten them with physical punishment if they came back.

LOL Yeah, but "I'm a lover not a fighter." I also promised the roomie no faking demonic possession at the door. (pity that) However, I never said I wouldn't wear some incredibly offensive shirt. Can't decide between "Religions of the World" or "George Carlin". Hmmm...

The last time they came I was very firm. My roommate was outside shooting the breeze with them. Telling them we go to church (which is a lie), and when I heard this, I flew out the door, grabbed my roomie by the shirt, and yanked him inside. He had a priceless, sheepish look on his face. Then I told them "DO NOT COME BACK..EVER. IS THAT CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU?" They haven't been back since. Crossing my fingers.

Cheers,
Holly

Quote from: "KebertX"Jehova's witnesses believe they can go to hell for seeing another man naked. So I'd say that's the perfect moment for guys to... Get naked.

Just Sayin'

It's also a perfect time to pretend you're a homosexual and get them to stay far, far away from you.

I'm not really into being rude to strangers just because they're misquided or delusional but my girlfriend's parents live with us and they're fairly devout mormons.

If I see them coming I'm more than happy to send my future mother in law to the door and she's more than happy to try converting strangers to the chuch of LDS, when they're not home I invite them in and ask a lot of uncomfortable questions they don't have answers to until they get sick of it and leave.

Quote from: "legs laney"the fact that your room mate has already talked to them and let them in has made your situation even more bleak.
it will take a lot to get them off your back.

Are they like vampires?

Never, ever let them inside!  I once let in Mormons (I didn't know they were Mormons, just a couple of nice looking guys in suits who helped me carry in my groceries) and the only way I ever got rid of them was to move to a different city!  They bugged me for three years.

Quote from: "The Magic Pudding"

Quote from: "legs laney"the fact that your room mate has already talked to them and let them in has made your situation even more bleak.
it will take a lot to get them off your back.

Are they like vampires?

They aren't like vampires. THEY ARE VAMPIRES!!!

Quote from: "KebertX"They aren't like vampires. THEY ARE VAMPIRES!!!

COOL!  :pop:

Quote from: "Asmodean"

Quote from: "KebertX"They aren't like vampires. THEY ARE VAMPIRES!!!

COOL!  :pop:

5 years ago, yes. Now they just sparkle in sunlight.  

Quote from: "Cecilie"5 years ago, yes. Now they just sparkle in sunlight.  :| Well, I sparkle too. With a healthy radioactive glow.

(Have a glow-in-the-dark Grim Reaper t-shirt which has this uncanny ability to sparkle like a five-year-old dressed like a fairy wen exposed to sunlight. I DARE you to make a witty remark!  :P

Quote from: "Asmodean"

Quote from: "KebertX"They aren't like vampires. THEY ARE VAMPIRES!!!

COOL!  :pop:

Well I don't want the sciency types complaining again about anecdotal evidence.
We're going to have to capture a few and conduct some proper documented research.
Now where did I leave my crucifix?

Quote from: "Asmodean"

Quote from: "Cecilie"5 years ago, yes. Now they just sparkle in sunlight.  :| Well, I sparkle too. With a healthy radioactive glow.

(Have a glow-in-the-dark Grim Reaper t-shirt which has this uncanny ability to sparkle like a five-year-old dressed like a fairy wen exposed to sunlight. I DARE you to make a witty remark!  :P

No you don't...

Do you really?

Quote from: "Cecilie"Do you really?

LOL Yes, I do indeed :raised:

Quote from: "Asmodean"

Quote from: "Cecilie"Do you really?

LOL Yes, I do indeed :raised:

Sounds... Harry.

Quote from: "Cecilie"Sounds... Harry. :P

And my Volkswagen Rust has no heat. Life is so... Burdensome  :pop: )

Quote from: "Asmodean"

Quote from: "Cecilie"Sounds... Harry. :P

And my Volkswagen Rust has no heat. Life is so... Burdensome  :pop: )

Even to Swedes and Danes this conversation would be confusing.

Quote from: "Cecilie"Even to Swedes and Danes this conversation would be confusing.

The Danes, maybe... Swedes... I don't know  :yay:

Quote from: "The Magic Pudding"

Quote from: "legs laney"the fact that your room mate has already talked to them and let them in has made your situation even more bleak.
it will take a lot to get them off your back.

Are they like vampires?

could be.  
well, it at least felt very draining talking to them.  more draining of your brain than your blood though. maybe they're zombies?
they do a lot of talking in circles with their ready-made answers and most of the time my main stragegy was keeping them on-point with the question at hand, not some biblical passage they would have like me to go to in an inept attempt to re-direct the conversation.  maybe this could be the start of a new thread?
you know, the vampire/zombie question...

i let them in a couple of times a few years ago and had a couple of lengthy discussions with them (first they came alone and then on their next trip they brought another guy with them to answer my more difficult? questions) every six months or so they show up on my doorstep like clockwork even though i told them i would never consider joining their religion.   last year they caught me while i was putting up christmas lights and asked if i needed some help.  it was pretty cold out so i handed them the lights, went inside, and thanked them for their help right before i had to leave to bring my kid to some thing he supposedly had to go to.  the next time they came i told them i had to get the house cleaned before my hubby got home and they offered to help with that, too; but even i felt bad about taking advantage of two young boys making them mopping the floor and doing the laundry for me. if they came today i'd probably accept their help though, feeling a little on the lazy side... watching christmas movies and don't really want to do anything else.