Has anyone tried this with religious people coming to the door?

[AngryAmish]

Invite them in and say you will listen to them, but after they cleaned your house?

[DinahMoeHum]

1. I'd just as soon come to the door stark naked. . .

. . .with a beer in my hand.

[Nay]

45. I had an atheist friend, a man, who did that very thing. It worked great.

[liberal_at_heart]

2. I've known Mormons that would take you up on that offer.

[AngryAmish]

4. Can you send them over to my house?

[GP6971]

40. Me too. n/t

[Ilsa]

91. Yeah, my baseboards and toilets need cleaning. nt

[Frustratedlady]

137. My neighbor did just that.

It was a hot day, but she was trying to get the last flowerbed done before she went in the house. Two Mormon men walked into her yard to talk to her and she was humiliated because she was sweaty and covered with soil.

She tried to dissuade them from talking to her about religion and they suggested she go inside, get a cool drink and sit down for a while...they would finish the weeding, which they did. She never did go outside and they left a book on her front porch as they left.

[elfin]

3. I just say, thanks, but I dedicated myself to the Fred Astaire Dance Studios

And shut the door after beatifically smiling at their flummoxed faces.

[hobbit709]

5. They don't come to my door.

[RebelOne]

43. They gave up coming to my door.

The minute I see them with their bibles in hand, I immediately say that I am an atheist and close the door on them.

[Le Taz Hot]

6. No, but I have a friend who told them

that they were in the middle of a Satan-worshipping ritual, they needed a virgin and asked if the door-knockers were there to volunteer. According the friend, they haven't had any problems with the religious door-knockers since.

[Warpy]

27. I'll have to remember that one if I move.

I was a night nurse and the jerks used to lean on my doorbell right after I'd fallen into a deep sleep. I was rabid.

I've lived here for 18 years and they haven't been back for 17 of them. The Mormons cross the street when they get to my house.

So if you need to get rid of them, hire a night nurse to sleep on your sofa while you clear off for the day. I guarantee the pests will be removed in short order.

[LadyHawkAZ]

7. No.

I don't want them in my house and some sects would probably take that offer. I have a sign on the door now that keeps them from knocking.

Before that, I found that answering the door in my underwear and yelling at them worked best.

[pnwmom]

8. My Jewish friends got them to go away

by pretending to be Catholic.

[etherealtruth]

9. Haven't tried, but I will. I like it! n/t

[Egnever]

10. I don't understand the need to be rude to them

Last edited Wed Jan 15, 2014, 02:40 AM - Edit history (1)

In their mind they are trying to help you. They aren't there to annoy you. I get that it can be annoying but they aren't doing it out of anything other than a desire to help you.

Is it really that hard to say no thanks?

[dixiegrrrrl]

15. offering me help I have not asked for and don't need

and intruding on my actvities is NOT polite.
telephone sales and door to door sales/intrusions are rude and invasive, I don't put up with them.
What ever happened to boundaries and people's rights to live undisturbed?

[FrodosPet]

22. People's rights to live undisturbed?

I am not a historian, but it is one of my hobbies.

I cannot recall a period where people en mass respected other people's rights to live undisturbed.

[uppityperson]

52. when they have been told to not return, they are trespassing if they do and here are laws about that

[Th1onein]

29. I agree with you, absolutely.

[REP]

33. Some don't take "no thank you" for an answer

It turns out my some of my new neighbors are rabid fundamentalists. They came onto my land and took my chickens as an excuse to return them ... and question me on my religious affiliation. As soon as that became obvious, I shut them down politely.

The next day they returned. They wanted to offend me some more. I wasn't up for it. I turned on the irrigation system when it was clear they weren't going to apologize and leave.

[amuse bouche]

39. " desire to help you" ?

Religies give me the creeps. They are nasty bigots like Westboro and the KKK. They all spew hatred in one form or another

I am so happy I finally escaped those cults full of ignorance and stupidity

What a wonderful world it would be....

[LadyHawkAZ]

46. "No thanks" to the Mormon missionaries here

Last edited Tue Jan 14, 2014, 10:39 PM - Edit history (1)

means a further barrage of questions about what your beliefs are and why do you believe them, do you have any friends who might like to hear the Word, do you know of anyone in the neighborhood that needed help or might benefit from an in-home visit from a missionary, would you take a minute to listen to their story about their personal journey, and on and on until the door is actually slammed in their face. Politeness does NOT pay. Trust me, I tried it.

It's why the No Religious Solicitation sign is now on my door; for some reason they will obey that sign where they wouldn't obey my repeated, direct orders to please stop. Saves me a world of hassle, and as a bonus I don't get nonreligious solicitors or pizza flyers either.

BUT, this is Salt Lake City. YMMV with the missionaries in your area.

[uppityperson]

51. I said no thanks MANY times, yet they continued to come. I threatened them with police, trespassing

and still they returned. It took a stern call to their headquarters to get them to stop.

If they had truly had a desire to help, we gave them opportunities but they only wanted to proselytize.

[Rhythm]

69. The Mormon church contributes millions of dollars to causes to deny my equal rights

I don't have time in my life for people like that...
And i sure as hell don't want them on my doorstep or in my house.

[NJCher]

83. I agree

In their minds, it is trying to help.

No reason one can't be polite and friendly but tell them it's not something you're interested in discussing.

I also don't think it's an egregious invasion of my privacy if someone comes on my property or knocks on my door.


Cher

[840high]

88. I've never been rude

to them. Just say "no thanks."

[Heidi]

99. I agree. Thank you. (nt)

[TroglodyteScholar]

101. It may be done with good intentions...

...however, they are fully aware that there is a good portion of the population who are bothered (or worse) by their tactics. They should definitely expect some abuse, and I think most of them do indeed.

[Egnever]

102. Well if they expect to be abused

We might as well indulge them!

[TroglodyteScholar]

104. Agree. n/t

[JVS]

106. I don't either. I talk to them, offer beverages, and am friendly with them.

[liberal N proud]

114. Want to buy a Watchtower?

You knock on my door, unsolicited and want me to listen to you tell me that I am going to hell unless...


Depending on which denomination knocks, I always put it back on them, like the ones that tell you there are only so many spaces in Heaven, I ask them why they would risk giving up on of those to me.

[Capt. Obvious]

124. "desire to help you"

No, they're there to add you to their numbers and take your money.

No more, no less.

[d_r]

132. Yeah

I just say "God bless you but I'm taken care of. Good luck to you." And they always smile and leave.

[siligut]

135. I try to help the Mormons

I feel some compassion for those poor kids that have been suckered into that cabal disguised as a religion. I ask questions regarding the more obscure and hidden history of the church, the way the missionaries are paired, one is well versed and the other is newer/younger. The well versed one will jump at the chance to show his knowledge of say, Joseph Smith sending a member on a mission so he could steal his wife, or President Hinckley claiming that , “As man is now, God once was; as God is now man may be.", is just a couplet while speaking with Larry King.

I got one guy to acknowledge that leaving the church may cost him his fiance and family, but his other option was to live his whole life a lie. They quit coming to my house after that, in fact they made a rather wide swath when passing.

[Spirochete]

11. I usually just tell them

I don't have time to talk to them, because i have to get the house prepared for a black mass. I doubt any of them believe me, but they instantly realize they're wasting their time.

[Ohio Joe]

12. What I do depends on my mood...

Sometimes I just tell them to fuck off and shut the door... Other times I'll mess with them. My favorite is to play along until they get around to asking me what my religion is... This rarely takes long. Then I'll scratch my head and give them a bit of a confused look and tell them 'I don't think my coven has one... Why?' heh, I've never even gotten a reply to that, they usually just turn and leave after a few stunned moments

[FrodosPet]

25. Isn't it awesome to hate and psychologically torture people?

As long as the bastards deserve it, amiright?

[Th1onein]

30. You're absolutely right. Why, EVER, act in hatred?

[Ohio Joe]

31. They are free to not come to my door

But fuck 'em if they do, I see no reason I should not enjoy their visit even if they don't.

[REP]

37. Ask the proselytizers

Telling me I'm going to Hell is so loving, amirite? I'm such a dick for not putting up with it.

[FrodosPet]

58. They are trying to help you avoid that

A simple "No thank you" or "I have my own thing" other polite blowoff works just as well.

But there is no macho caveman "Arrrgghhh Arrrgghhh Arrrgghhh! I conquered those assholes!" feeling to politeness, is there?

[creaturecomfort]

66. you can b polite and assertive

And achieve your objective but it is not necessary to b stupidly or arrogantly rude...that's more a reflection of you than them.

[gopiscrap]

87. welcome to DU

[REP]

100. They have stolen my property, trespassed and insulted me

These weren't meek Mormons or elderly JWs. These were from another sect, and being polite didn't work.

[uppityperson]

57. that is "psychologically torturing"?

[FrodosPet]

59. Psychologically torturing might be a stretch

But "You are an obnoxious asshole if you just coldly tell people to fuck off and slam the door in their face" is not.

[snooper2]

144. Well...you could go about it a couple different ways right?

Like this-

OR...


"fuck the bishop"

[Cleita]

13. We have dogs who meet them at the gate.

They don't come in any farther.

[RebelOne]

44. I had a Rottweiler that would sit at the window.

When the bible thumpers saw her, they would bypass my house. She is in doggy heaven now and I have no protection against these religious zealots now except for my noisy Chihuahua who thinks she is an attack dog.

[el_bryanto]

14. Maybe this would fit better in the religion section rather than GD. nt

[Gothmog]

16. I tell them that I am Jewish

That sends most of them running away

[MannyGoldstein]

128. "Have you heard the good news of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?"

That'd be an amusingly awkward moment.

[Blue_Tires]

129. My ex-GF was raised Seventh Day Adventist

and said just saying those three words was enough to make any conversation *very* short when the doorbell rang...Especially Jehovah's Witnesses -- She said they would actually stop their pitch in mid-sentence and just walk away...

[JustAnotherGen]

17. I used to point at a Tree

In front of my apartment, stare off into the distance and tell them to, "Ask the Whiskey Man. He lives in the tree.". Then slowly close the door. They gave up in good time.

[Egalitarian Thug]

18. I had two Jehovah's witnesses help me clear some storm damage on my property for free.

We had an interesting conversation for as couple of hours and he came back the next weekend with some help and the whole front drive got finished.

[goldent]

94. This is really interesting...

did you get any sense they were looking for anything in return for helping you? Pretty cool that they came back with more help.

[Egalitarian Thug]

117. Yes, converts, there was never any question about that. I was the only person willing to talk to

them in that neighborhood, though. We had three very good conversations until it became clear that I both knew the bible, history, and am too rooted in the mundane world to go along with any of the stories. We continued to be friendly (although none ever actually came to any of the parties I invited them to) until I sold my business a few years later.

I tend to have a lot more respect for the crazier flavors just because they tend to follow the rules more closely. Say what you will about them, they walk the walk.

[bobclark86]

19. "Sir, have you heard the good news?"

"What, you two can get married finally? Yeah, I heard that."

[Scuba]

70. +1

[eridani]

108. You win the thread! n/t

[mt_big_blue_sky]

20. This works

We used to keep various literature handy and when JW's came to the door I'd hand them Mormon flyers and vice versa. They don't come around anymore. Ta-Dahl!

[LanternWaste]

21. I'll try it on political canvasser...

I'll try it on political canvassers instead, regardless of denomination... who do precisely the same thing, in precisely the same way, with the precise same amount of annoyance felt.

[Glassunion]

23. Whatever you do, don't challenge them to a game of b-ball.

[AngryAmish]

53. saw that a few months back

It is kinda true, mormans can ball.

[egduj]

138. Great video!

[hootinholler]

24. I always invite them in for group sex

They have yet to take me up on it, although there was a nice older lady who hesitated before leaving.

[Aerows]

38. That's rather frightening

I won't be using that approach.

[Throd]

26. I shake their hands and say "I'm sorry, but you interrupted my masturbating, gotta go."

[AngryAmish]

54. go away, baitin'

[Jenoch]

60. A man is in a doctor's office.

The doctor told his patient that he had to stop masterbating. The man asked why. The doctor replied, "Because I'm trying to examine you."

[Skittles]

28. no - they are unfailingly polite with me

so I show them the same courtesy

[Th1onein]

32. Good, Skittles.

[Ishoutandscream2]

50. Correct answer!

[FrodosPet]

64. But they are the enemy

These people must be crushed and humiliated. We must attack every aspect of their existence, so that they will learn to slink away and remain silent.

How else are we ever going to have a tolerant, progressive society if there are people we don't like left unchecked?

[joeglow3]

142. And screw those who are assholes to us when canvassing for political candidates

We really DO know what is best for them and they are assholes for being dicks to us.

[WillyT]

34. I Answer The Door Naked... Works Like A Charm...

[femmocrat]

35. I simply say, "I'm not interested." And they leave.

Simple.

It is hard for me to get to the front door though, especially when I am upstairs. So I have also just ignored them and they went away.

[Arugula Latte]

36. I have a "No Religious Proselytizing" sign, but I do know someone who

met them at the door naked and eating a chicken leg and told them that it was some "good Jesus meat." They got out of their quickly... I wouldn't have the guts to do anything like that.

[HockeyMom]

41. My Mommy isn't home

Able to get away with that one at 30.

[LiberalEsto]

42. I find proselytizing incredibly insulting and offensive

Where on earth do these people get off assuming that their religious beliefs are somehow superior to my own?

My religious beliefs are my own business and nobody else's. I don't force them on others, and others have no right to try forcing theirs on me.

[Common Sense Party]

96. How do you fell about volunteers canvassing for a political candidate?

Or any other door-to-door, get-out-the-vote activity?

[LiberalEsto]

134. That does not bother me in the same way nt

[Common Sense Party]

136. I'm sure it bothers some.

Where on earth do these people get off assuming that their political beliefs are somehow superior to my own?

My political beliefs are my own business and nobody else's. I don't force them on others, and others have no right to try forcing theirs on me.

I understand that religious beliefs are very personal. For some, so are political beliefs. Yet we see no problem with going door to door, trying to 'convert' people to our political way of thinking.

[valerief]

47. I don't answer the door to strangers. nt

[muntrv]

48. One co-worker says he chased away some religious people by saying

"This is my girlfriend who comes by the house while my wife is working."

[uppityperson]

49. Yes. They came, mr up talked with them, they returned numerous times after being asked not to. Final

finally we told them they could stay as long as they helpd us work on the house while they were there. They continued to return even after that. I was very blunt, telling them civilly no thank you, do not come back. They came back. I had to call the local headquarters to get them to stop.

If they'd done as other friends do and helped, they could've stayed and visited, talked, but noooo. They would do nothing but talk to us.

It was annoying. Even after being told they were trespassing, they returned "we didn't think you meant it".

[cherokeeprogressive]

55. "Thank you but I'm not interested. Have a Wonderful Day" (door closes without hesitation)

Something wrong with that?

[FrodosPet]

67. No "Oooooh Rahhhh" macho posturing!

There is a nice adrenalin rush from being a boorish lout.

That's all some people have. They have few friends, and hate the ones they've got. Why should we deny them the pleasures of being an obnoxious twit?

[cherokeeprogressive]

84. Part of the reason the world is the way it is I guess...

I make it a point never to be the one with the first rude remark. Even then, I might not answer in kind.

[Vattel]

56. harsh

[LittleBlue]

61. I just politely decline

"No thanks, I'm not interested"

That's all.

[AngryAmish]

62. My point is that my maid charges me $ to clean

If you can get a mark to do it for free, what is the harm?

[FrodosPet]

65. To your dignity?

WOW! This place floors me sometimes.

"Hey! Let's take advantage of people, treat them like shit, and then get on the 'net and complain about RWers doing the exact same thing"

[Jenoch]

63. I remember when two young Mormons came to our house when I was a kid.

Last edited Wed Jan 15, 2014, 12:06 AM - Edit history (1)

My mother invited them in and I think they talked for an hour. My mother was interested in their religion. I think there is still a Mormon Bible on the bookshelf at my dad's house.

Do you know why Mormons used to allow polygamy? They did not have enough members.

[Scuba]

71. No, I'm pretty sure that's not the reason.

[Jenoch]

73. Read it again.

It's a pun.

[Scuba]

75. Ouch.

[AngryAmish]

82. I will misquote Jim Thompson

But, is it the fault of the man who stoops gaping at a pile of manuer, or the man who kicks a turd into his mouth?

[Jenoch]

90. When I was a kid,

my oldest brother once ran up to our mother, he had a handfull of dogshit, and he said "mom, mom, look what I almost stepped in!"

[IDemo]

68. I thought about copying the handwritten sign on the door up the street:

"If you're selling God or goods, please leave."

[Kennah]

72. In recent years, I have found a simple "No thanks" or "Don't have time" works.

This is my preference. It could mean they are facing increased rejection. If they hear No, they move alone. Numbers game, the way it always has been in sales. Perhaps faith is truly faltering in America, and that would be a great thing.

In years past, I have encountered those who were really obstinate. A few random thoughts for them.

"Why should I believe your faith is the truth faith, when those from every other faith tell me the exact same thing?"

"Some who believe as you do will say things like, 'Teach the Controversy'. That is exactly the message of Tobacco Industry lobbyists decades ago and Fossil Fuel lobbyists today."

"You can leave now, not waste my time, and I promise not to say anything untoward."

"Science and evolution have a way of messing up one's faith."

[tabbycat31]

74. Invite them to a goat sacrificing ceremony

[Vashta Nerada]

76. I started reading the Necronomicon once.

I wanted to spread the good word of Dagon.

[bravenak]

77. Thank you for the tip!

I asked the last ones for a job, something good like treasurer so that I could keep eyes on the money. They declined.

[djean111]

78. I am an atheist. I figure no one comes to my door out of ill-will.

So I just pleasantly inform religious folks of my atheism, that my atheism comes from an NDE, and is quite set in stone, and I have had some very nice conversations about religion and the world in general, following that.
Never saw the need to be unpleasant.
My Wiccan ex-DIL answered my door once, to some young Mormon men, and she was so intent on trying to make fun of them that I was appalled. Glad she is my EX-DIL.

[Common Sense Party]

97. What is an NDE?

Forgive my ignorance...

Life's too short to be unpleasant, I agree. Sometimes I don't have time right when the Jehovah's Witnesses show up, but I try to never be rude or curt.

[DinahMoeHum]

112. NDE = Near Death Experience

n/t

[onenote]

80. I take it that a great many of the posters in this thread

have never volunteered to go door to door for the candidates that they say that they so deeply want to have elected. If they had, they might be in less of a rush to be rude.

[LuckyLib]

81. We have a sign that says: "No solicitors, religious

or otherwise. We're happy just the way we are. If that changes, we'll call you." It works. We don't get any.

[sabrina 1]

85. Has anyone tried just being kind? It's amazing how being kind can result in

amazing results. Eg we have a, probably very unpopular in a society that appears to delight in presenting a 'tough' image, liberal approach to those whose views differ from our own, we decided to respect them at least. We invited them in.

When a tragedy of immense proportions struck our family, amazingly it was they who, after the initial, obligatory period of expressing sympathy from friends and family, who continued to offer their support and sympathy. At that point, religion was on the back burner when every week we received a visit from one of those much maligned 'religious people' to offer their assistance, if needed, in helping us to deal with a shock that was almost completely immobilizing. There was no more discussion of 'beliefs', just 'we understand your pain and if you need to talk, we are here to listen'. They gave their time when everyone else had moved on.

Their genuine sympathy was like medicine, their tireless willingness to listen when everyone else's advice was to 'move on' long before we were ready to do so, was remarkable with zero benefit to them.

Kindness produces untold benefits, not that this should be the reason for being kind, it wasn't for us. We had no idea when we chose not to be rude, 'tough' or insulting, of what we would receive in return.

All I can say is, it was gold at a time when it was most needed and confirmed for me, that kindness is never wasted.

[pintobean]

116. I'm always kind and friendly with them.

It's very satisfying if we part with smiles on our faces. It sure beats being pissed off about it.

[siligut]

139. Not to diminish the benefit you received in a time of need

The Mormons have a practice of watching for tragedies like death of a loved or an arrest, both of which may be published in the newspaper and using them as an opportunity to gain access.

I am kind in general, but also honest and protective of myself and my neighbors. Granted, the missionaries have no idea what the LDS church is truly about, so I try to tell them, they did come to me after-all, I believe it is my duty as a human being to help others.

[Lost_Count]

86. How about a pleasant "No thank you..." instead of assholishness...

I know it deprives some of the ability to feel smug and super duper superior but give it a go anyways...

[hrmjustin]

89. I say I already have a church so no thanks.

[NuclearDem]

92. You could do that...

...or politely tell them you're not interested, offer them something to drink and a few minutes out of the heat/cold, and send them on their way.

I've got no particular interest in being a dick to religious people whose greatest crime is no more than politely talking to me.

[flvegan]

93. Just wait for the outrage when someone here, knocking on doors

for their local (or national) candidate is invited in and offered to be listened to after he or she or they clean the house.

The selective hatred will be epic. And hypocritical, per parts of this thread.

[JVS]

107. Someone was canvassing at my mom's when I was there and wanted...

her support against the incumbent. I didn't care for him and started in on how the incumbent had always done right by our household and that we'd be fools to go against someone who can return a favor. Big fun.

[Marr]

143. That's a very good point.

Look at the fights on this very forum. Even when politically more or less aligned, people vary widely in their beliefs and priorities. If you're going to be an asshole to everyone who isn't just like yourself, you're going to be an asshole practically full time.

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

95. Thank you for coming...

I was just thinking it was time for a human sacrifice. Won't you please come in.

[Contrary1]

103. My nephew and his roommate repeatedly asked them not to come back...

Being polite got them nowhere.

So...the next time they knocked, the two of them answered the door in their undies, with their pet snakes coiled around their upper torsos.

Worked like a charm.

[El_Johns]

105. Why, when a simple "No thank you" will get rid of them?

I don't get this thread. I don't like salesmen either, or even kids selling candy -- but I don't mess with them. Why add to the misery in the world?

[eridani]

109. Don't know whether this still happens, but sometimes deaf people would hand out cards on

--the subway that said something to the effect "I am deaf--please buy the card for whatever you think is fair." I collected them to use on unwanted visitors--worked pretty well.

[Niceguy1]

110. I prefer the polite route

And tell them that I am not interested, maybe even offer them water on a hot day.

[raven mad]

111. The front walk to my door is gated.

On the gate I have the "two cats" equality flag, and on the walk a wiccan pentagram. On the door, outside, I have a huge DEMOCRAT sign, and right under it, a bumper sticker that says "Alaskan grannies kick ass".

They never bother going past the gate.

My neighbors think it's hilarious, and they're Church of Friends members.

[mr blur]

113. No, I find that a firm "Fuck off" does the job. nt

[ecstatic]

115. They send me letters now

I'm not sure how they got my info. I've invited them in in the past (like 10 years ago), but these days, I'm not as willing to answer the door for uninvited guests.

[Bluenorthwest]

118. The bulk of people who push religious subjects at me are on DU. They love a bigoted preacher.

All I can do is point out that their preacher rants against my basic rights in horrific terms and that their support for him makes me think much less of them as that same preacher is not only anti gay but also a strident opponent of reproductive choice and equality for women. I'm a Democrat, and those positions are Republican positions. When people promote Republican positions and public figures who promote those positions, I consider them to be Republicans, not 'religious people'.

[TBF]

119. The Mormons would probably do it -

so I really will not try that. Then I'd have to feed them and be nice to them.

Usually I just let my 95 lb dog answer the door

[Laura PourMeADrink]

120. Funny. We ask what religion they are and then say..."Oh, we are already Mormon (or whatever)" nt.

[ProfessorGAC]

121. Pretty Funny - But, i Did Something Fun Once

The Jahovah folks came by and when i opened the door i told them "God told me you would be here in 15 mintues, and sure enough." They were taken a little aback. I then started to explain to them that God told me to let them know they had the whole thing wrong and that it was my mission to correct their ways.

They left. Never have been back.

[Holly_Hobby]

122. The JW church is about a 1/2 mile from me

Last edited Wed Jan 15, 2014, 10:28 AM - Edit history (1)

so I used to get a lot of knocks. I had a sign made, "No Soliciting, No Trespassing" and hung it under the mailbox near the front door. I continued to get knocks.

So I opened the door one day with dictionary in hand, read aloud the definitions of Soliciting and Trespassing. "Any questions?"

They replied that they weren't selling anything. I disagreed and told them they were selling God. Wow, they shot daggers at me, left and have never come back. I wasn't mean or loud or rude, just to the point.

I can't stand uninvited guests, even my family knows to call first.

[IdaBriggs]

123. We've been feeding Mormon missionaries for about twenty years.

And the sisters regularly came and did dishes for me / cleaned my kitchen in those first few months after the twins were born. The elders (the boys - they get switched out sometimes) have provided service to us as well; one year they "waterproofed" a tent for us. Part of their "mission" is looking for ways to "serve" others during their mission time. I have found them to be "good kids" and we support them, even though we are not followers of their particular brand of faith. They are on limited budgets, and I open my cupboards to them as often as possible, especially since I know they also "know people" who need some extra help/will make sure it gets to them discretely as needed.

The interesting thing on reading this thread was that they stopped by last night (without an appointment). We have sisters this round, and they were cold, tired, and feeling discouraged. I fed them ice cream and hot cocoa, and we talked through some of the challenges they face, especially wondering if they are making any positive difference.

Remember, they are giving up twenty to twenty-four months of their lives, putting off education and employment opportunities, with no entertainment/television/movies/books/music/video games - basically NO DISTRACTIONS, and minimal contact with loved ones to *serve others* by word and deed at a time when they could be "partying" at college, AND they pay for the privilege. If they are able to educate, it makes them happy; if they find a convert, they are joyous. But regardless, they are GIVING of themselves at every level to help others for TWO YEARS -- and they are usually late teens/early twenties.

I would rather my children did this (again, not a member of their faith) than join the military. They are young people, and they are demonstrating courage in the face of cruelty/mockery/scorn, persistence in doing what they believe is right, sacrifice to help others, awareness of the needs of others (poverty/soup kitchen work and getting glimpses into the suffering of others), modesty/humbleness (the ones I've dealt with), and a dedication to charity/kindness I am simply in awe of.

I *definitely* support them.

After we talked for a while, I pulled out a religious text, randomly selected a chapter, and then we talked about how it was (or was not) relevant to things going on in our life. Without going into detail, it dealt with "prisons", which took us in a conversation about how being a person of faith does not protect you from the challenges of life/we are responsible for our own actions/thoughts, and also how easy it is to become a prisoner of our own negative thinking, bad habits and willful ignorance. ("I don't know *why* that happens to me all the time!" <-- my battle cry when I am late, which ignores *me* leaving late - lol! Free will, baby!) I had been annoyed with one of my children "acting up" in a retail establishment earlier in the day, and the conversation provided me an opportunity to "self-reflect" on how I had made the behavior a reflection on *my* parenting (prisoner of my own ego!), instead of being aware that my child was tired, bored and hungry. I hope to do better the next time that type of situation arises in the future.

I am grateful they stopped by. It was a nice visit. They seemed happier when they left; they made a difference, even if I don't convert to their faith. They are nice people.

[Iggo]

125. "No, thank you" and closing the door even if they're still talking...

...works quite well for me.

[randome]

126. Same here! Why waste their time and yours?

[hr][font color="blue"][center]Precision and concision. That's the game.[/center][/font][hr]

[LWolf]

127. The most successful response

I've ever had was when I met them coming in the front gate, and asked them to wait while I broke into the house. I was carrying a crowbar.

My son left, not realizing that I was in back and my keys were in the house. He locked the door. I wanted to crawl in through an unlocked window, but it was painted shut. Hence the crowbar.

Their eyes got large, and they said they might try "some other time," and they hurried back out the gate.

[marions ghost]

130. Tell them you have a religion and don't need one.

----------

[d_r]

131. I used to work

with the nicest, sweetest, apple-pie older Morman lady. No one ever really talked about their beliefs at the job, but one day someone mentioned Jehovah witnesses and we were all joking about hiding and acting like we weren't home if we saw them coming down the street. This lady said "oh, not me, I LOVE it when they come. I invite them in make some lemon aide, I love to just to talk with them for hours."

It still cracks me up.

[FatBuddy]

133. if i am not expecting you

i usually answer the door with a shotgun in my hand.

SOLICITORS ARE NOT INVITED.

in fact, no one is invited, unless you are my kinfolks or close friends, you are not welcome on my property.

[polichick]

140. I always say, "No salespeople please."

To which they always reply, "We're not selling anything."

And I say, "Oh yes you are," just before the door closes.

[Marr]

141. I just talk with them. :P

I'm an atheist myself, and have no problem telling them so if they ask, but they generally don't and we just have a pleasant conversation that ends with them leaving me something I'll never read. Life is way too short to get angry at harmless people who are just trying to do what they consider good work.

[Javaman]

145. I used to try all sorts of "clever" retorts, but I found just telling them I'm an Atheist gets the..

reaction I'm looking for. LOL

I usually get the "we'll pray for you" response, to which my reply is, "it's your time to waste".

[polly7]

146. They don't come to my door anymore either.

My dog, Wolfie, was trained by a bunch of university kids who'd owned him to only stop barking at the door if he was told to f* off! - and you had to yell it, because his bark was so loud. I hope they think he's still alive and well (he's not, and I have a new dog who not only doesn't bark at strangers, he lies on his back for a belly rub).