How to handle unsolicited religious callers?

Stern notice plus ring type door bell with app you can view on mobile or tablet. You can use it to filter callers and simply not answer to anyone you dont like the look of.

I had 4 JW walk by my house a few days ago. One pointed to the house and said "Not there" and they all walked past. I imagine they were put off by the stern notice, cctv and ring doorbell. Dont expect they had much luck in this predominently Moslim and Hindu neighbourhood.

“Thank you, not something I wish to discuss, have a good day, bye!”

Have you really never had Jehovahs knocking on your door before?! It’s a yearly thing round here. Just smile and say no thanks and shut the door, the same you would with any unwanted callers 🤷🏻‍♀️

I tell them I’m a devout Catholic and shut the door.

Why the scepticism ? This is exactly what all the religious types who come to my door are like (and I get a lot of them) all massively over dressed. all with eerie plastic smiles fixed on their faces. really really weird like they've been brainwashed. They go into an immediate spiel which doesn't mention which particular sect they belong to.

OP I usually say 'not interested' and shut the door on them. I don't bother with politeness because they've been rude in forcing their unsolicited prescence on me.

You could have been firmer and ended the exchange quicker. And/or you could have felt touched by the core of mis-implemented compassionate that probably lurked inside their approach to you.

I have Jehovah's Witnesses knock on my door from time to time. I try to say a decisive 'no' and also express some appreciation and gratitude for their approach, becaue it does seem a genuinely kind approach, despite all its strangeness and muddle. They react with real warm appreciation of their own, and we all feel a little bit better as a result of the encounter, rather than a little bit bitter and sad.

Of course it isn't unreasonable to be pissed off about being disturbed from resting/working in bed. But any extra annoyance around their being religious feels a bit judgey. Would you have been happier if they were flogging double glazing?

Firstly, it's not confrontation. It's simply telling them you're not interested just like 100s or 1000s (depending on how long they've been doing it) people before you have told them.

Secondly, you run the risk of them knocking back later and bothering you again.

You need to ask to go on their "do not call" list and they will leave you alone for a number of years. Eventually they do return, I assume in case you have moved and someone else might want saving. I think we got about 12 years out of that, but unfortunately I hadn't yet trained DD1 to say the same, so I think we're probably back on the list.

I invite them to help with housework

Why so sceptic? The Mormons/ Jehovah's witnesses who go round where I live are always dressed very smartly, men in suits and women of all ages in skirt suits, blouses and court shoes.

When they knock and ask me if I worry about the future, I just say that I don't believe in any god and don't want to waste their time, say bye and shut the door.

Religion doesn't come into it.
I'd do the same with any caller which didn't interest me. Say no thanks bye.

Just shut the door. They expect to have doors slammed in their face, it's part of their indoctrination about how everyone else is going to burn in hell apart from them.

If they go in straight with a question like “How do you view the future” I’d probably say something like “Gosh that’s a big question and not one I’ve got time to discuss as I’m working from home at the moment, but have a nice day debating it with others!” If they try to come back with anything else I’d just repeat the sorry I’m WFH and don’t have time for it, before closing the door. No need to be rude, but no need to get into a long chat either.

I wear my work headphones and just point and mime being on a call. A cop out but it’s easier for me as I hate confrontation

"I'm not interested, thank you."

You don't have to have a conversation with them.

Easy peasy.

I had a proper laminated sign made, night shift please do not disturb thank you. I did actually work nights, and some people STILL rang the bell, knocked. The God botherers don't get as far as the door...we have dogs. Used to live near both the Scientology and Latter Day Saints main temples. Former were nuts,latter, polite and respectful. 30 years ago, I lived near a Jehovah's witness church they actually matched round the side gates and once in my kitchen!! First house 50 years ago,it was the Plymouth Brethren, they were odd and vindictive to their elderly.

Just politely say, 'Thanks very much - not for me thanks - have a nice day'. No need to be rude or to get into a discussion with them if you don't want.

I just say no thank you and close the door. I have a young child so sometimes point to him and say I'm busy, or even I'm letting all the heat out of the house. We get a lot of cold callers around here (nice quiet area with lots of older people, not sure if thats why) so I'm well versed.

I don't understand why you didn't simply tell them you weren't interested and shut the door.

Far too much conversation.

It's your door, you haven't invited them to knock for a chat, so just say 'No thank you'.

You can add 'have a nice day' if you really want to but make sure you're closing the door at the time.

How you handle them is how you handle ALL unwanted callers.

Firm "No thank you, have a nice day" as you're closing the door with a smile.

It's firm, it's decisive and it's not rude.

It's always worked for me in the 34 years I've owned my own home.

I’d just smile and say ‘no thanks’ as I closed the door.

No need to listen to them. No need to be rude.

Sign on the door "no cold callers or religious callers"
or
"not interested" and close the door.

Just say "no thanks" and shut the door.

Dh goes into a rant and insists on being removed from lists etc, but to be honest that's for his own pleasure.

..........greeted by two smiling, gurning Stepford Wives, done up to the nines

Were you, aye.