[Closed] Doorstep God Botherers.

I think for one lot its part of their duty to their religion to do it (ie go out and convert people). I may be talking rubbish though

I normally try to engage them in an intellectual conversation - much fun to be had.

My wife thinks it's highly amusing - the only person on the street that looks forward to the jehovah's witnesses knocking on the door 😈

Invite them in, offer tea and biscuit's, put 'partyboy' music on, then slowly start taking your cloths off, see how long they stay and how naked you can get 😉

I often wonder how they get on round here. I can't imagine they get all that many converts from Islam.

[i]I think for one lot its part of their duty to their religion to do it[/i]

Yep, they call it Missionary Work. I think they think they are missionaries. Sad really.

I'm a devout atheist, but I think anyone who wants to spend their own time basically being nice to people should be applauded, not mocked. 😕

Hey ho.

I normally try to engage them in an intellectual conversation - much fun to be had.

My wife thinks it's highly amusing - the only person on the street that looks forward to the jehovah's witnesses knocking on the door

So predictably boring !

Invite them in, offer tea and biscuit's, put 'partyboy' music on, then slowly start taking your cloths off, see how long they stay and how naked you can get

Nows theres something I've not heard of before !

I think anyone who wants to spend their own time basically being nice to people should be applauded, not mocked

+1. Just be polite to them. They won't try to 'convert' you, they'll just move on if you're not interested. No need to be rude to them.

rkk01, me too! I had a Jehovah's Witness for the best part of half an hour engaged in discussing evolution, physics, energy transfer. He couldn't grasp how animated life energy came to be "put" into things without the big guy upstairs. He also thought a life without an afterlife was tragic, which I also approached: where's the value in an infinite experience? There was a lot of basic science he appeared not to understand.

He seemed like a person who genuinely wanted to connect to others to help them understand what he believes to be true. I respect that, it must be really hard to keep going door-to-door. He also appeared a little fragile/vulnerable which saddened me slightly. I can appreciate how people needing answers can enjoy the support and affirmation an enthusiastic social group can provide.

I hope I made him think.

youtube and channel4 aren't playing with me this morning,

but, you know that scene in black books? - the one where bernard invites the witnesses in for a chat about jesus?

it turns out it's not actually as much fun as the tv said it would be...

🙁

at one point we got talking about evolution - it was around the time that the fossil of Ida had been revealed, which i was (still am) really excited about - but all i could get out of them was some dusty quote about "like begetting like" - or something like that.

I think anyone who wants to spend their own time basically being nice to people should be applauded, not mocked

+1

Fairly sure it works - not a high percentage rate, of course, but there's a fair few people out there who are either lonely, or searching for the meaning of life... (Personally, I don't think there is one, but I realise that lots of people think otherwise.)

Personally I just say I'm not interested, and close the door.

but, you know that scene in black books? - the one where bernard invites the witnesses in for a chat about jesus?

Go and watch Mrs Browns Boys, it's got an even better sketch.

There outright nice to people they have a motive of their vision to en list you... and if you don't believe their gossip they get a bit spiteful...

Answer the door...
ME "I believe in science and evolution sorry, thank you"

.... "insert, angry pitying rant from said knockers" ...

ME "ok thank you bye now"

... and they always seem to wangle their way into my mums house who I know has no interest in them but they keep insisting on coming back so I have to tell them enough is enough... JESUS WEPT... duh dum cheee.

It's not the niceness, its the delusion.
I'm only ever polite though, cos I know a few and its a tight knit community...

I am not normally rude. But this chap used a very patronising greeting when I opened the door. That pissed me straight off, so I told him that was no way to speak to anyone on their doorstep and that I also am not interested in what they are trying to sell.

I think anyone who wants to spend their own time basically being nice to people should be applauded, not mocked

+another1

I've got a good mate who's a JW. I'm a devout atheist. He's never tried to 'convert' me, and I've never mocked his religion.

I remember being doorstepped by some Jehovah's. Thing is, at the time I think I was the only non-Muslim on my street.

I bet that was a pretty thankless morning

Don't get me wrong - I don't do rude and taking the proverbial.

I actually enjoy the fact that them and me have a mutually respectful conversation, but from different perspectives. All of the ones that I have talked with have been very polite, thoughtful and willing to engage

I love a good chat with them if I have time.

Some are quite interesting to talk too.

I am not sure if they deliberately miss represent evolution or if they don't understand it though.

I always just say ' No thank you, I worship Satan, Lord of Chaos'.
Then smile, wave and slowly close the door.

Why does doorstepping someone count as being nice>

To me its very rude - same as cold callers of any sort. whats the difference?

I had an interesting conversation with a couple the other day.

My questions was if god really does want us to praise him, what does this say about his character.

bazzer - the doorsteppers are generally jehovas witnesses, and 'sharing the good news' is, as far as I recall, a large part of their beliefs. They also take the bible literally, so dont even bother with evolution. Having said all that, I have attended a service at the local kingdom hall, when I escorted a patient there from a secure unit I was working at. It was a bit of an eye opener, but the folk were all friendly enough, albeit a bit intense.

I'm a devout atheist, but I think anyone who wants to spend their own time basically being nice to people should be applauded, not mocked.

They're not trying to be nice though are they? They're trying to convince you that what you believe in (or don't believe in) is wrong, and that you need to be persuaded otherwise. They're no different to people who go around trying to get you to change your gas supplier.

I'm never rude to them though, just tell them I'm not interested. They don't come around that often for it to be much of an issue.

There was a lot of basic science he appeared not to understand.

Much like your average STWer then.

I just say "no thanks, I'm not interested" and close the door, that seems to do the trick.

They're not trying to be nice though are they?

Well, actually, they are. In their own way. They're certainly not trying to be 'nasty', are they?

All you need to do is say 'no thanks' and that's that. No dramas, no need to assert yer ego, just a bit of politeness and common courtesy and all's well.

Is that so hard?

Where I grew up there is a big Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, or whatever tis called. And a big Mormon Church.

They would send the shock troops over from USA, young tall handsome American blokes in suits with name badges, on their 10 speed bikes (or 9 speed as they tithed 10% to the church, one of my dad's "jokes")

Let them in too right, my sis and I would sit and drool until my dad got home and sent them packing. Never managed to convert us tho.

Although given their ill informed attitudes to blood transfussions one could argue they are not necessarily "nice" to their own children.

They're certainly not trying to be 'nasty', are they?

See above. As is often the case their beliefs have often "nasty" outcomes.

They're certainly not trying to be 'nasty', are they?

I never said they were, just that they have an agenda over and about just being nice to people.

All you need to do is say 'no thanks' and that's that.

Like I said, I agree with that bit. No need to be rude.

Yes they are Jehovas who knock the door, but you do have to admire their balls, so to speak.

The do come across quite friendly, but I do have a friend whose wife is an Ex Jehovas witness. When she said she was leaving the church, they told her parents and family that they could not see her anymore if she left or they would be thrown out of the church. She has not had any contact with them for over 10years.

I have no idea if this is common or just their church but its very scary.

When she said she was leaving the church, they told her parents and family that they could not see her anymore if she left or they would be thrown out of the church. She has not had any contact with them for over 10years.

I'm sure they said it in a "nice" tone. No harm done eh?

Well, actually, they are. In their own way. They're certainly not trying to be 'nasty', are they?

Well, that depends on your definition of nasty.

I think they're dangerous and deluded fantasists who prey on the vulnerable.

So yes, they are nasty.

"I'm a devout atheist, but I think anyone who wants to spend their own time basically being nice to people should be applauded, not mocked"

I kind of get where you are coming from, live and live and all that....but are you sure they are doing it for your benefit or theirs? That said I'm never rude to them, life is too short. Honestly, I just feel sorry for them.

They are not going out of their way to be nice to you, are they? They are trying to 'sell' you their way of thinking.
If they weren't trying to make you a 'believer' they wouldn't be knocking on the door for a chat.
They would have very little success turning up on your door & being rude.

I am never rude to them, and sometimes I do engage in a conversation regarding evolution, the infinite nature of the universe, the chances of intelligent life forming etc. and sometimes it is quite interesting.
I have always wondered how they would react and how much time they would give to a scientist turning up on their doorstep & wanting to discuss science, evolution etc. with them and turn them to their way of thinking. Would they be accommodating or not?

I was decorating our hallway once when a pair of them knocked on the door. They even offered to help with the decorating!! I was tempted to accept, just to see whether they actually would or not, but I was quite impressed with the immediate offer of help. I should have politely refused, but asked if they could trim the pear tree & cut the grass instead! 🙂

I'm always just honest with them. I let them know its too late. Having had a catholic education, I'm doomed to spend the rest of my life feeling a nagging sense of guilt and shame, while having no idea why

And I'm afraid no amount of 'good news' is going to change that

"Having had a catholic education, I'm doomed to spend the rest of my life feeling a nagging sense of guilt and shame, while having no idea why"

Brother, you need to bin that guilt.....they should apologise to you.

Where I grew up there is a big Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, or whatever tis called. And a big Mormon Church.

The same thing.

They would send the shock troops over from USA, young tall handsome American blokes in suits with name badges, on their 10 speed bikes (or 9 speed as they tithed 10% to the church, one of my dad's "jokes")

I understand missionary work is an essential part of the faith - at 18 you're sent off (no choice in where) to any part of the world to spend two years growing up and speaking to people about your faith. You do it with a buddy, who'll be someone you've never met before. That sounds pretty tough to me.

Used to work with a devout mormon chap who'd done all this. Met his wife when doing this in the USA. They now have 6 kids..!

(No, he never tried to convert me. No, I was never rude or belittling about his faith.)

I think anyone who wants to spend their own time basically being nice to people should be applauded, not mocked

I enjoy chatting with the local Jehovas Witnesses - they come round about every 6 months - used to be a couple of youngish girls - I think I had started to instill a few doubts as I robustly defended my position as a virtuous pagan - and then the next time I got a couple of old biddies.

You do it with a buddy, who'll be someone you've never met before.

Always two there are, a master and an apprentice.

I think anyone who wants to spend their own time basically being nice to people should be applauded, not mocked

If your talking about Jehovah's then it's not actually in their interest to convert you, what with there only being a limited number of spaces in heaven you'd only be competition.

Part of being a good Jehovah is spreading the word, in simple terms it earns you brownie points from god. You don't get extra points for a conversion.

So essentially they are on your doorstep for purely self serving interests, trying to guarantee they are one of the lucky 'rulers from heaven'.

If they were being nice they would knock on the door and offer to do some odd-jobs or some such.

I once had a fascinating chat about 'evil' with two I let in out of the cold and rain.

Was a lot more interesting that trying to discuss things with some of the atheists on here....

I think they're dangerous and deluded fantasists who prey on the vulnerable.

Personally I think companies offering easy credit, catalogue firms, betting shops/companies etc are far, far more destructive in our society, than a few bods who want others to share in something that makes them happy, but there you go...

Personally I think companies offering easy credit, catalogue firms, betting shops/companies etc are far, far more destructive in our society,

Finding something worse doesn't excuse a lesser wrong.

You don't get extra points for a conversion.

Is that why there aren't many JW rugby players?

Elfin,

What about the Shunning thing though where people are pushed away from their friends and family. You have to admit that is dangerous and pretty destructive ?

http://www.xjw.com/shunning.html

When I was younger I was baptised by proxy for over 200 people.

I'll probably get flamed for that.

I'm always slightly conflicted at turning away the Jehovah Witnesses.
Sometimes the ladies are quite hot.

disturbing me in my own home to talk about your belief is not nice in my book its annoying

+1, what they're doing is rude so there's no expectation of politeness from the doorstepee(?) IMO.

i dont mind a chat with them to be honest, i am fairly keen to listen to anyone that has an opinion on what it's all about. i tend to tell em nice and early that i wont be joining the clan though.
i usually get on to the wicked people thing fairly quickly as i feel they need to sort their sh@t out on this or they are just never going to get anywhere. 🙂
they come to your door through a perceived need to help you so i dont like to be rude to them.

They're a hell of a lot politer than the TV licence people.

An it's not like their percieved benifit form the activity is harming you is it?

There are a lot worse about than the Jehovahs. I went to college 6-7th form in a girls school, there were a lot of Exclusive Brethren at the school, a more fundamentalist offshoot of the Plymouth Brethren I think.

We made friends with one of the girls, which was not easy as she wasn't meant to talk to us. Tried to help her when she eventually left school, left the Brethren, got her a job and found her a flat. There were some nasty confrontations involving the cops when her brothers came around to try and take her back. Her family never spoke to her again, messed up her life for good.

As I mentioned on [url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/why-are-you-atheists-so-angry ]the BIG religion thread[/url], we've got a Jehovah's Witness who has chapped on our door at least a dozen times now.

MrsGrahamS made the mistake of inviting him in and engaging in proper conversation the first time he called, because (as a doctor) she was interested in JW's beliefs about blood transfusions, transplants, injections etc and how best to talk to them about that in her clinics.

Now we get visits where he alternately gives us books or asks us if we read the last lot yet. If we tell him we're not interested we get more books to explain why we should be.

He does seem like a perfectly genuine person who is obviously just earnestly committed to his faith. It's not something I subscribe to, but I'm not going to be rude to the guy - he's just doing what he thinks is right.

(I did have a flick through the book on [i]"why evolution is wrong"[/i] and the "science" caused my brain to grow fur)

Say "no thanks" and shut the door, just like anyone else trying to sell stuff.

Personally I think companies offering easy credit, catalogue firms, betting shops/companies etc are far, far more destructive in our society

My sisters MiL is JW, her hubby and son are atheist and my sister is turning pro with the CoE, (come to think of it not actually CoE, some christian splinter group can't remember which). Dunno if the JW congregation suggest she should shun them but she doesn't.
Edit ah I see it's former members that get shunned not none members, stil harsh tho.

When at university one of housemates had them call round, he said to them that he was just of out to college, but if they were in the area tomorrow would they call back as he was interested in what they had to say.

In the intervening 24 hours, he had got hold of some old sheets painted satanic symbols on them and hung them from the walls and used fake blood to "decorate" the place... the look on their face as they entered the living room was priceless, they left faster than Usain Bolt.

Not a JW or a Mormon here, an evangelical Christian. And although knocking people’s doors is not something I'm a fan of personally, giving out leaflets and open air witnessing are things I'm regularly involved in. Christians don't believe that our works get us into heaven; we believe Jesus paid the price for us. We witness about what God has done for us out of a genuine concern for/desire to do good to others, in a similar way that you might want to get someone struggling with their weight or depression etc. on a bike, you know it'll do them good. I genuinely believe life is better on this side of the fence and I've been on both sides, that’s why I tell people what I believe.

I'm always slightly conflicted at turning away the Jehovah Witnesses.
Sometimes the ladies are quite hot.

I went out with an ex-JW once. Stunningly pretty. She was filthy too. We never used to get bothered in the park when they used to wonder round chatting to people, which was useful too.

"We witness about what God has done for us out of a genuine concern for/desire to do good to others, in a similar way that you might want to get someone struggling with their weight or depression etc. on a bike, you know it'll do them good. I genuinely believe life is better on this side of the fence and I've been on both sides, that’s why I tell people what I believe. "

Fair enough, but if you don't mind I've already got the Enlightenment and science. You can have your Iron Age desert mystic, I will take Thomas Paine and Voltaire.

We witness about what God has done for us out of a genuine concern for/desire to do good to others, in a similar way that you might want to get someone struggling with their weight

I'm happily imagining the "Disciples Of iDave" standing outside McDonalds or Greggs and handing out dietary advice to the fatties. 😀

Mormons, re becoming a missionary. No you don't have to. There is a choice. I've alot of time for someone who has to walk round in all weathers in basically inappropriate clothing knocking, all day long and being rejected countless times a day. It must really be a roller coaster for a young persons faith- the constant lows and then the highs. Two years, prime years of their life dedicated to their faith.

Whenever I've seen a couple of them I'll stop, smile and talk.

I think anyone who wants to spend their own time basically being nice to people should be applauded, not mocked

-1

They knock on your door. You do not ask for them to do so.

Or would me going door to door extolling the pleasures of mansex be considered being 'nice to people'. They may consider they are doing their gods' work but I consider it rude.

I'm always polite but they are not "being nice to people".

-2.......where do my gay pals fit into your evangelism by the way?

And Mormons? Up until 1965 the Mormon church regarded blacks as being officially sub-human. Thats in the book of Mormon I believe. Please remove yourself from my doorstep.

basically being nice to people

If they were being nice they would be interested in my beliefs and not automatically assume that I'm wrong. I think that is quite nasty.

me going door to door extolling the pleasures of mansex

Now [i]that[/i] would be an eye-opening pamphlet 😆

....and any religion comes out smelling of roses? The fiddler cover ups and attitude towards homosexuality?

On the Shunning issue;

A very good friend of mine got married last year. Most of his family were JW, although he wasn't himself. But because he was married in a Christian church, his parents and brother turned their backs on him. His sister went to the wedding and has now been shunned too.

Despite this, I have to agree with being nice to them. Their faith may be extreme in places, but I hardly live a perfect life myself. They're human when all's said and done. I try and treat others how I'd like to be treated. Is it really so hard to be polite, say "No thank you" and close your door?

Up until 1965 the Mormon church regarded blacks as being officially sub-human.

In mitigation, so did most white people.

"A very good friend of mine got married last year. Most of his family were JW, although he wasn't himself. But because he was married in a Christian church, his parents and brother turned their backs on him. His sister went to the wedding and has now been shunned too."

Well at least he has a decent sister and friends. The rest of his family are despicable.

If I just say "no thank you" and stand there do they just say "OK then", turn around and go away?
No, they are persistent bleeders, so I have to try my best to be polite whilst closing the door on them.
Net result is they make me feel bad about myself and wish they would stay away.

They knock on your door. You do not ask for them to do so

Which is why I'm not a big fan of door knocking, but at the same time if you had come up with a cure for cancer, you would do your best to make your voice heard, you would feel a duty to.

where do my gay pals fit into your evangelism by the way?

Assuming that was aimed at me, I would witness to a homosexual in exactly the same way as i would a hetrosexual. The bible says "all have sinned and fallen short" We're all sinners, including me.

If they were being nice they would be interested in my beliefs

we are. As someone said on the first page after speaking to religious people "I hope I made them think" I don't expect to convert people after one conversation, I'm satisfied just to get people thinking about things they might not normally give much thought about.

I lived next door to Jehovahs Witnesses and also had some of their family live across the street. They were all very nice and polite and never tried to convert me nor my family. However one of them left the church and was disowned by both the church and his family. The guys wife continued to go to church for a while but she was made to feel uncomfotable because her husband had left. She left too.

I don't think this makes them kind at all, and while I will nod in the passing I find their beliefs disgraceful and ignorant.

Well any religion which is based on creationism is based on ignorance really.

open air witnessing

What's that, then?

They're human when all's said and done.

They've [i]disowned their own son and daughter[/i] because they attended a wedding in a building they didn't like? Human isn't the word I'd have used.

Is there much difference anyway? I thought JWs were a form of Christianity?

"where do my gay pals fit into your evangelism by the way?

Assuming that was aimed at me, I would witness to a homosexual in exactly the same way as i would a hetrosexual. The bible says "all have sinned and fallen short" We're all sinners, including me."

No we arent. Having sex isnt wrong.

And my children arent sinners, this idea that we are all born into sin and must make ourselves well. Another utterly despicable idea.

I had a couple come round the other day. They just said "it's a nice day and you probably won't want to spend it listening to us so if you want a couple of leaflets we can leave them, if your not bothered then we won't".

Took the leaflets to see what they were selling and to be polite and I've not seen em since - seems fair enough.

Do other religions do doorstepping, are there Islamic equivalents for example?

I find it a bit rude that someone could think my whole belief system is so meaningless that it could be changed by knocking on my door.

By the way - my wife believes in god and goes to church regularly - i dont. She says i will find out one day - i say so will she.

Each to his or her own - if people want to believe the big book of fairy stories - that's up to them. Just please don't try to push it on me.

I think anyone who wants to spend their own time basically being nice to people should be applauded, not mocked.

+1

People knocking on my door wishing to speak politely with me does not anger me.

In my experience, they've never been anything other than pleasant and polite if a little downhearted when I explain I'm not interested.

I'm quite sure I'd fundamentally disagree with them on many questions, and perhaps find some of their beliefs backward and others downright repellent, but that's not part of the doorstep exchange.

I do feel sorry for their kids when they're taken along though.

open air witnessing
What's that, then?

Talking to people on the street. Sometimes we have meetings outside too.

No we arent. Having sex isnt wrong.

We all have differing opinions on what is right and wrong. what is right to one is a step to far to another. There will always be disagreements on what is right and wrong. But one thing is beyond all doubt is that in some point in every one of our lives we have done wrong to somebody at some time.

"But one thing is beyond all doubt is that in some point in every one of our lives we have done wrong to somebody at some time. "

Really? My daughter when she was 30 seconds old was guilty of sin? Because your holy book says that she was born into a collective Original Sin for which she must atone.

Utterly despicable.