Third Jehovah Witness visit - it’s making me feel uncomfortable now.

[CaraVann]

Earlier in December there was a knock on the door. Thinking it was my friend who was due to visit me, I flung open the door to find 2 smartly dressed young men. I knew in an instant they were Jehovah Witnesses.
I know that I should have said from the get go I was not interested but the guy talking was so polite that I let him go on with his spiel.
I did feel a bit uneasy though as no one else was at home, all the neighbours were out and here are 2 men I don’t know trying to persuade me to join their religion. Also, the second guy gave me the creeps, he never said a word, never smiled, just stared at me. I felt quite intimidated.
The first guy asked for my name, which I also found unnerving, so I gave him a different name to my own. He said to take the leaflet and look on their website to find out all about JW and then I can be assured of a great future!!
I thanked him, smiled and said goodbye (second guy still unsmiling/staring, never muttered a word).
At least I won’t see them again - so I thought.
A week later, on my own again, the doorbell goes. I open it without checking thinking it’s the Christmas Amazon delivery I was expecting but no, it was the JW guys again. They are bloody relentless. Kept pushing and pushing, calling me by my ‘name’ which I found too personal seeing I don’t know them from Adam. Luckily, I had my coat on as was just about to take the dog out so made my excuses but said I was not interested.
But they are not fucking giving up.
Just had a knock on the door and my daughter opens it to find these guys standing there and again (the talking one) greeted me by my ‘name’ and starts on again about how they can help me and how the future is not bight for everyone, only those following their religion. Mute guy still staring and they were standing there in the pouring rain but wouldn’t give up. This time I had to be a bit firmer and said I was just going out, had no time and please don’t call again. A polite smile and ‘ok’ from the talker guy and same evil stare from mute guy.
I hope and pray they do not turn up again and I’m now only going to answer the door after I’ve looked out of the living room window ffs!
I know I should have been firmer from the beginning but it’s really unnerved me. They have my address and my name (or so they think).
Each to everyone with their choice of religion (personally agnostic) but knocking on strangers doors and harassing them is plain wrong.
I suffer from bad anxiety and this has just made me worse.

Just say "No-Thank-You-We're-Catholic!", big smile and close the door. Or do what my Dad does and chat away to them until they start edging off down the path. Or do what my mum does and hide when they come to the door.

They are harmless but they are required to knock on doors. I went to school with a very likeable JW girl and I don't think it is a cult at all, just a rather odd community.

Not sure knocking on a strangers door to push your cult on them could be considered polite, no matter how you go about it.

There's no need for any of the 'oh so witty' replies that people claim to use. A simple "I'm sorry, I'm not interested. Please add my address to your Do Not Call list" is effective without being an arse.

And no, I'm not a JW, I'm atheist. But I really don't see why people think it's okay to be rude and to delight in being 'clever' to these people.

@TheYearOfSmallThings

It's often said that you can establish whether something is a cult or not based on what happens when you try to leave.

JW are told to cut all contact with anyone who leaves the church, whether they are their parent / child / partner.

This is actively encouraged, total excommunication if someone leaves for any reason.

From your own parent / child. Imagine the emotional damage this causes people. How cruel it is.

It is a cult.

I know this thread is almost 3 months old.

The local JW have taken to writing letters now. Envelope with a handwritten address (no name) and stamp. I've had 2 in give or take 9 months.

The best thing about the letters is that they put their name, home address and email address in them, so they may have been signed up to newsletters, been introduced to the local RC Church about wanting to join them, etc.

Apparently JW and political canvassers are not classed as cold callers because they aren't selling anything in exchange for money. Still, I point at my 'no cold caller' sign saying I don't take cold callers, and close the door in their faces before they have a chance to respond.

Absolutely cannot stand people forcing their beliefs/politics on me, especially at home.

We have a 'no uninvited callers' sign and they walk past our house.

I hope and pray

Their indoctrination is working 😆

What’s not polite about it if they’re not pushy and go away quietly?

Again, to be fair to them, I've never had JWs be anything other than polite, and they've left as soon as I've politely said "thanks, but I'm not interested".

I wish I could say the same for all the sales people and dodgy trades people who turn up at my door uninvited.

I used to love my visits from the JW. I used to get visits from two old ladies pretty much every week who loved to cuddle my baby daughter. I was very clear about my atheism so they didn't talk to me about religion, but they used to come in for a sit down, a cup of tea and a slice of cake, and mind her for me for 20 minutes so I could have a shower in peace. I was quite disappointed when they stopped coming.

That’s lovely @BlueBananaLlama. I receive regular visits from a lady who’s over 80. We drink tea and have a good gossip. She’s very light touch with the religious stuff and I thoroughly enjoy her company.

“I am not interested in becoming a JW. Please
could you ensure I’m added to the no call
list. Thank you. Have a nice day.”

Said clearly but politely. End of.

3 times by the same people and using a name IS overly persistent however nice they are.

My 26 stone friend used to open his door in underwear and say oh hi guys come on in. And they'd throw their leaflets at him and scuttle off. Just a suggestion.

Two weeks ago the woman of the elderly couple knocked with two young kids in tow. I was fuming, I couldn’t say “look I told you, no one in this house is interested. Go away.” with two little kids there

Late DM had no time for the JW. Years ago when we were children (and I'm late 60s now) one turned up at the door one Saturday afternoon with a little girl in tow. DM tore her off a strip, telling her that a child should be playing on a Saturday, not being dragged around knocking on doors.

JWs can be a bloody nuisance. I just say very firmly that I’m not interested so please don’t call again.

Re saying you’re Catholic etc., I was once discussing JWs with my American BiL, who was atheist but from a Jewish family. I said surely just saying you’re Jewish would get rid of them?

Typically laconic reply: ‘I just tell them to get the fuck out.’ 😂

Your late DM had no right to be telling other people how they should raise their children.

Not any less than they had the right to tell her what her religion should be.

Except they didn’t.

The whole point is to convert people.

The whole point is to fulfill their obligation to “spread the word”.

Exactly. Conversion.

Just because you keep saying it doesn’t make it true. 🤷‍♀️

How is it not true?

No, because so do they. They seem more preoccupied with Satan than they are with their god. Seems odd, but I'm sure they know their own priorities.

It tends to be pagans who don't believe in Satan. Whatever, the phrase 'I'm not interested thank you' followed by rapid door closure seems to be language they understand quite well.

Your late DM had no right to be telling other people how they should raise their children

Given that she's my late mother I'm not sure what response you want me to make to that, let alone do about it. Interesting though that it implies that it's OK to drag an eight year old child around on a Saturday knocking on doors and trying to proselytise rather than letting her play and be an eight year old.

Still, that's your opinion. My mother's opinion was that it was wrong to expect an eight year old to do that and she said so. Forcefully.