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Original poster

Jehovah's Witnesses

71 replies

miggeldysthepres · 20/05/2019 18:40

Was going to nc but probably not outing as I can't be the only one.
So here's the story. I'm church of England ( don't really go to church though). Had the Jehovah's come and I don't like to be rude, so had a chat. Trouble is now they are calling every week or two. It only takes a minute or two, but I'm really not interested, I do believe in God but don't even go my own church. They always ask how my children are by name which freaks me out a little. They are very polite and if I am busy they will ask if another time is more convenient. I don't know what the next stage is, will they try to get me to come to a meeting ( if that's what it's called?). Please can anyone give me advice on how to get them to stop calling, as I'm really not interested and to be honest it freaks me out a little ( but each to their own). I really don't want to be rude as we've become quite friendly. Thanks in advance and hope I've not offended anyone

OP posts:
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FiremanKing · 20/05/2019 18:41

Move house.

moreismore · 20/05/2019 18:43

You either need to ask them very very clearly not to call again or move house.

WorraLiberty · 20/05/2019 18:44

Tell them to stop calling and get a sign put up.

I don't like to be rude, so had a chat.

It's not at all rude to not want to chat to random strangers just because they've knocked on your door.

A simple "No thank you. Enjoy your day", as you're closing the door is perfectly polite.

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Original poster
miggeldysthepres · 20/05/2019 18:44

Grin I knew someone was going to say move house - not an option sadly

OP posts:
DollyTots · 20/05/2019 18:45

I'm in the same boat but we're not even religious, just open minded. I've said we're not christened or baptised but because I'm polite and will entertain conversation (to a point) they keep coming. It's just getting increasingly awkward, I was hoping it would just dwindle out...

Kanga83 · 20/05/2019 18:45

A simple 'no thank you, I have my faith and my church, no need to join another. Good day ' and close the door.

WorraLiberty · 20/05/2019 18:45

Do you chat to everyone who knocks at your door?

Double glazing sales?

Energy suppliers?

Driveway/guttering suppliers?

If I did that, I'd never be away from my door.

Original poster
miggeldysthepres · 20/05/2019 18:46

I know I did wrong in engaging with them the first time- I guess I was just naive and tend to be quite friendly

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 20/05/2019 18:47

Honestly, don't even mention faith/atheism or anything at all.

Most JWs will see that as a conversation starter.

Just a simple but firm 'No thank you' will suffice.

Aimily · 20/05/2019 18:47

Would you like to borrow my grandad, he's Catholic and invites them in for a cuppa, has a chat with them and they never return 😂

LoveRoyalBlood · 20/05/2019 18:48

My DM has been a Catholic all her life.
She is 76
She phoned me 3 weeks ago & told me she’d converted to JW.
I’m still picking my jaw up off the floor

Original poster
miggeldysthepres · 20/05/2019 18:49

Well yes we don't get many callers so I would give anyone a minute who called, unless they were blatantly rude .

Dolly - my commiserations

OP posts:
whiskeysourpuss · 20/05/2019 18:50

If you politely advise then that you would like them to stop coming they will.

I used come into contact with a lot of JW through work & that's what they advised.

Babdoc · 20/05/2019 18:51

A friend of mine got rid of them very easily. When they proffered their literature, she held out her own C of E parish magazine and suggested they could benefit from reading it - they beat a hasty retreat!
JWs have a commitment to evangelise, OP - they have to knock a certain number of doors and try to gain converts. If you appear even remotely interested they will latch on to you vigorously! You need to backtrack hard to undo this. I think you may have to simply close ( or not open in the first place) the door, until they get the message, however rude that seems to you.

WorraLiberty · 20/05/2019 18:52

Oh in that case just tell them to stop knocking and put a sign up, in case of others.

If they ignore the sign and continue to knock, that makes them rude fuckers, so I'd have no qualms with just pointing to the sign and closing the door.

But again, a nice, polite, firm 'No thank you' is usually all that's needed ime.

GrowThroughWhatYouGoThrough · 20/05/2019 18:53

I told them I believed in organ donation they soon cleared off

Original poster
miggeldysthepres · 20/05/2019 18:53

Yes I did wonder if they had to convert a certain number of people

OP posts:
FiremanKing · 20/05/2019 18:53

You have two options. Say it to their face or give them a card or note.

Basically saying the same thing

To JW

Thank you for your visits, I have enjoyed learning about the JW faith but have made the decision that I am happy with my own faith and therefore no longer require any more home visits. Thank you for respecting my request. Best wishes.

Walnutwhipster · 20/05/2019 18:53

If they're coming that often you'll be a 'call' as opposed to just a routine knock on the door. Just politely say you want to be added as a 'do not call' and you'll not be bothered again.

WorraLiberty · 20/05/2019 18:54

A friend of mine got rid of them very easily. When they proffered their literature, she held out her own C of E parish magazine and suggested they could benefit from reading it - they beat a hasty retreat!

It's very unusual to get rid of them that way because again, that would normally be regarded as a conversation starter.

Just don't engage. That far, far easier.

FiremanKing · 20/05/2019 18:55

Me personally would have no problem telling them where gosling their hooks but you seem a kind and gentle lady so I worded the note in a pleasant manner ^

ThatCurlyGirl · 20/05/2019 18:55

@whiskeysourpuss is right:

*If you politely advise then that you would like them to stop coming they will.

I used come into contact with a lot of JW through work & that's what they advised.*

If you say you wish them the best but would prefer they don't call again please then they will stop.

I'm atheist but have had JW and LDS friends in the past and they actually have quite strict rules on missionary work - they are told to be persistent but that no means no.

They won't bother you again once you say no, they'll just widen the net and target someone else in your place!

It's horrid feeling under siege in your home when you don't like confrontation but they will be super polite about it so I say get it done ASAP and then it's over with :)

Walnutwhipster · 20/05/2019 18:55

@GrowThroughWhatYouGoThrough as an ex JW I'm not sure what difference that would make. I personally know a JW who has had a kidney transplant. It's blood they dont accept.

Dontgiveamonkeys1350 · 20/05/2019 18:57

I lived on a road where their church was. They knocked all the time. If you email or phone the church they put u on the do not bother list.

Frenchie85 · 20/05/2019 19:02

If you've shown some 'interest', you'll now be on that person's 'call' list, which means they will visit very regularly to keep the interest up. The next step will be they offer you a bible study and invite you to meetings, etc.
If you're not interested you need to make it very clear, that you're not even interested in discussing or wanting their literature, or they will keep coming in hope.