Walk past or engage?

[Gawen]

I found it basically useless and a waste of my time. I have a "No Soliciting" sign in bold black on yellow. Only the neighbour kids are allowed to come round with their fundraisers. The JW's and LDSers knock anyway and I point to the sign on the door. They always says they aren't soliciting. Then I hand them a copy of the definition of "solicit", wait for them to read it and then ask if they have a permit to solicit in the city (which requires one). They all say no. I then ask them if they would like to proceed to the next house or shall I call the police...*wicked evil grin*.

[Tank]

I found it basically useless and a waste of my time. I have a "No Soliciting" sign in bold black on yellow. Only the neighbour kids are allowed to come round with their fundraisers. The JW's and LDSers knock anyway and I point to the sign on the door. They always says they aren't soliciting. Then I hand them a copy of the definition of "solicit", wait for them to read it and then ask if they have a permit to solicit in the city (which requires one). They all say no. I then ask them if they would like to proceed to the next house or shall I call the police...*wicked evil grin*.

[The Magic Pudding]

I found it basically useless and a waste of my time. I have a "No Soliciting" sign in bold black on yellow. Only the neighbour kids are allowed to come round with their fundraisers. The JW's and LDSers knock anyway and I point to the sign on the door. They always says they aren't soliciting. Then I hand them a copy of the definition of "solicit", wait for them to read it and then ask if they have a permit to solicit in the city (which requires one). They all say no. I then ask them if they would like to proceed to the next house or shall I call the police...*wicked evil grin*.

It would be cool if this could be done using the ventriloquist dummy.

[Rizuidad]

That...is really funny. 

Some of my best things to do with them:

1. Speak in tongues(one of my many fictional languages. They always ask if I can speak in tongues)
2. Flat out say that I don't believe or want their preaching. When they ask why, look blankly at their faces as if I expect them to say something.(This one should be videotaped. It's a riot.)
3. Be very interested in everything they say, but be too interested and take things to extremes, to where you blatantly misinterpret their preaching beyond orthodoxy.(This one is sometimes a bit much. Because at least once I've had the LDS actually say, "Oh my god. You're right." and start aggreeing with me. Then try and convert his religion groups to my way of thinking. This led to bad things. Gene Siskell, if you're out there, I'm sorry, dude.

[Gawen]

I found it basically useless and a waste of my time. I have a "No Soliciting" sign in bold black on yellow. Only the neighbour kids are allowed to come round with their fundraisers. The JW's and LDSers knock anyway and I point to the sign on the door. They always says they aren't soliciting. Then I hand them a copy of the definition of "solicit", wait for them to read it and then ask if they have a permit to solicit in the city (which requires one). They all say no. I then ask them if they would like to proceed to the next house or shall I call the police...*wicked evil grin*.

It would be cool if this could be done using the ventriloquist dummy.

That is class!!! Must find the dummy in my avatar.

[Gawen]

That...is really funny. 

Some of my best things to do with them:


2. Flat out say that I don't believe or want their preaching. When they ask why, look blankly at their faces as if I expect them to say something.(This one should be videotaped. It's a riot.)

I like this one best. Try here:
http://www.hobbypartz.com/hicocagrforf.html

[Abletony]

I got nabbed by the cops in Leeds once because I started arguing with a street preacher. I just stood next to him and refuted what he was saying. Drew quite a crowd. The cops said that I was likly to cause a disturbence. To which I replied 'I didn't start it' but they were a pair of brainless plods so there was no point in arguing. I did note though that the street preacher, who had been a semi-regular feature for a couple of years, only came back once more the following week. I think he was asked to stop by the plods, so a sort of 'victory' although I would much rather have been able to argue with him.

I doubt it was a victory for you in any way. They're probably still at it. I don't think you made any difference whatsoever, and from what you say they're probably well known in the area and probably no one really minds them.

[Tank]

I got nabbed by the cops in Leeds once because I started arguing with a street preacher. I just stood next to him and refuted what he was saying. Drew quite a crowd. The cops said that I was likly to cause a disturbence. To which I replied 'I didn't start it' but they were a pair of brainless plods so there was no point in arguing. I did note though that the street preacher, who had been a semi-regular feature for a couple of years, only came back once more the following week. I think he was asked to stop by the plods, so a sort of 'victory' although I would much rather have been able to argue with him.

I doubt it was a victory for you in any way. They're probably still at it. I don't think you made any difference whatsoever, and from what you say they're probably well known in the area and probably no one really minds them.

I don't know why they stopped.  However I suspect that the police asked them to stop preaching there because there had been other people complaining about them as well. and as I said I would have rather have had them there to debate with.

[Evilbeagle]

They run a mile when I say I am a Satanist.

Once I said "Please excuse me. I'd love to stop and discuss things with you but I'm preparing a sacrament to our Dark Lord Satan."
I guess I was conveniently naughty by forgetting to mention I'm really a LaVeyan but I guess thats the devil in me.

ROFL 

[Tank]

^^^ I'll have to remember that one 

[DeterminedJuliet]

We have a ton of Mormons that come door to door in our area. We still live in a predominately Christian area, so they always seem a little shocked we we say "Sorry, we're happily Atheist."

I think they have all of their angles worked out for converting other "Christians", but they don't even know where to start when you say you're atheist 

[Evilbeagle]

Whenever I walk past street preachers I always stop for a micro second to smile, give the left-handed Horns sign and say "Hail Satan" before continuing on.

[OldGit]

Please forgive me for lifting this post straight from another forum where I first posted it years ago.  Saves retyping.

I'll tell you a true story here.
I already have a spoof religion made up ready to deter these people; it is about St Postula and her Holy Screeves. I've used it a few times.
Well, about 10 years ago, just as we were preparing Sunday lunch, a pair of Mormons rang the bell.  I knew what they were, they'd been around the village for days.
Before they could open their mouths, I was off with, "Are you saved? Do you believe on our Lady St Postula and the Holy Screeves? You may think you're saved, but unless you have St Postula in your heart, you are inadequately saved."
Then I had an inspiration. I turned back towards the kitchen and called to my daughter: "Jennie! There's some people here who are inadequately saved. They need the Screeves of our Lady St Postula."
Jennie was brilliant. She came out from the kitchen with a manic grin, waving a half-peeled carrot. "Do they want a carrot?"
"Well, says I, "a carrot might help, but what they really need is the Screeves of Our Lady St Postula."
I turned back towards the front door but the Mormons were gone, belting down the road as fast as their legs would carry them.

[Tank]

Luv it!

[palebluedot]

Superb plan

I'll try it next time they come calling, but I might emphasise the word "Screeves" in a higher-pitch voice and say "Sceyereeeeves!!" while waving my hand to indicate that it is already creeping up behind them.