Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be wary of Jehova's witness doorsteppers

44 replies

mad4mainecoons · 22/02/2011 13:23

feel awful about this and would love to know WWYD?

just put our smallest DC down for morning sleep and was playing with our 4yr old when 2 ladies knocked at the door, i immidiately suspected jehovas witnesses as we dont get many cold callers here (we live out in the sticks). so i opened the door about a foot and held onto it.

they were polite, asked about my beliefs (C of E) were not dismissive, asked if they could leave me a leaflet which i accepted (and have read) spoke to my son and generally seemed nice.

the trouble was, in any normal situation i would have probably invited them in, but as soon as she said who they were, my adrenaline was up and there was no way i was letting them in. i have heard horror stories of these people staying for hours once they get in, being completely over the top and generally not very pleasent.

anyway, they left the leaflet, went away and i shut the door but i feel awful about it. i just judged them, without giving them a chance, so rude, so horrid.

so WWYD, let them in? or keep them on the doorstep?

was i BU?

OP posts:
TobyLerone · 22/02/2011 13:26

Why should you let them in? Horror stories/judgey-ness or not, they were uninvited callers to your home. You are under no more obligation to give them your time as you are to write a nicely-worded thank-you letter for every piece of junk mail you get.

For me, it's not to do with their religion (parts of my family are JWs), but to do with the intrusion. I'm exactly the same with door-to-door salespeople. Polite but firm. There's no need to be rude, and you weren't, OP. At all.

YANBU

peeriebear · 22/02/2011 13:27

I just politely tell them that my beliefs don't agree with theirs. They have loooong memories though (that or they keep written records!) A woman knocked a few weeks ago, and she knew my name so I assumed she was from the council. No, she was a JW who said we had spoken before "When your daughter (DD1's name) had chicken pox". DD1 had pox SIX YEARS AGO. Really, WTF?!

Chil1234 · 22/02/2011 13:30

YANBU to send cold-callers away, whoever they are. Never feel obliged to let strangers into your home just because they're nice.

sparkle12mar08 · 22/02/2011 13:33

Why on earth would any sane person ever let a JW into their home? And more importantly, why would any sane person ever think they 'ought' to let them in because of politeness or any other socially beholden reason?

You're an adult, you don't need to justify it to anyone.

Panzee · 22/02/2011 13:33

I just tell them I've had a blood transfusion, and their beliefs would have killed my son and I. And goodbye. :)

(Not strictly true, but the blood was ready and I would have used it, no question.)

ratspeaker · 22/02/2011 13:34

Why should you feel guilty about not inviting strangers into your house?
I wouldnt even answered their question as to my religion as a matter of principle ( though by double standards I'll happily mention it on an internet forum )
I wouldnt have taken the leaflet either

A polite "no thanks not interested" is all that required
Thats not rude.

If anybody cold calling at my door doesn't accept that then its their problem

Normantebbit · 22/02/2011 13:35

My mum used to crouch down behind the kitchen counter top to avoid them.

I just say I'm an atheist and probably going to hell so there's no point talking to me really.

Original poster
mad4mainecoons · 22/02/2011 13:36

i know i dont have to let them in and im under no obligation. but i suppose its the way i am, my husband works 50 feet away in the yard and often has sales people and delivery drivers call in. i often offer them tea and cake, just for a bit of adult conversation Blush.

i just felt so mean that i was too judgemental to do the same with these ladies, especially on the grounds of religion

OP posts:
mmsmum · 22/02/2011 13:39

I wouldn't let them in and I don't accept their leaflets. I open the door, they say who they are, I say no thank you, and that's it. I'm happy with that.

peeriebear · 22/02/2011 13:39

You're a 'job' to them, another sheep to bring to the fold, they won't cry if you say no- they'll just go to the next house.
When they are round these parts I text all my local friends and relatives to give them a heads up.

Chil1234 · 22/02/2011 13:42

What you're really saying is that you're bored, isolated and desperate for company. Inviting random callers in really isn't the way to resolve that one. Do you have access to transport? Are there any sociable groups nearby that you could join in with?

D0G · 22/02/2011 13:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Normantebbit · 22/02/2011 13:44

the problem is once you've given them a cup of tea they will keep coming back and there are only so many copies of Watchtower you can fit in recycling bin.

ratspeaker · 22/02/2011 13:44

No its not judgemental
They came univited to your door to talk about their religion
They're not delivery drivers , they are there with one adgenda, talking about their religion
You have no obligation to listen to them

I'm very broad minded about peoples beliefs, I like to learn about them, to try and understand but in my own time and space. Not have them turn up on my doorstep, to intrude into my space, time and life.

Thingumy · 22/02/2011 13:44

If you accepted their literature,they will be sure to come back OP.

nailak · 22/02/2011 13:47

i invite them in out of politeness, why not, i find discussing religion interesting, and like meeting new people.

ZacharyQuack · 22/02/2011 13:48

Grin @ "oh god please no"

princessparty · 22/02/2011 13:49

Don't worry.Like Arnie
THEY'LL BE BACK!

Original poster
mad4mainecoons · 22/02/2011 13:50

ha ha dog thats fab Smile

thanks everyone i feel better about it now.
just a little worried ill be on the hit list next time thingumy you have me nervous.

maybe ill just offer them a bun to eat as they get turned away from the rest of the village Wink

OP posts:
oldwomaninashoe · 22/02/2011 13:56

Would you invite someone in from a Political party that was canvassing in the area, whose parties views and values were not in line with your political beliefs???

I don't think you would so why would you invite JW's in?

Unless of course you want to "convert" them Wink

ratspeaker · 22/02/2011 13:56

You can ask the local Kingdom Hall to take you off their visit list or is it put you on a no visit list
One or the other

Bet I'm the only one on this thread with a JW * sitting in their kitchen eating lunch

Grin
  • son's friend and he's a bit lapsed
ratspeaker · 22/02/2011 13:57

Good point oldwomaninashoe

GrimmaTheNome · 22/02/2011 14:01

Er... you were worried about 'judging' people who arrive on your doorstep precisely because they judge everyone else as having the wrong beliefs? HmmGrin

TrillianAstra · 22/02/2011 14:03

Well I think you are weird if your normal reaction to a (non JW) stranger knocking on your door would be to invit them in for coffee and cake.

LadyOfTheManor · 22/02/2011 14:54

I deal with JWs every week as part of my missionary work.

They come in and I rip their beliefs apart. If you are not strong in your faith and knowledge of the Bible, I wouldn't recommend this.

If you invite them in once they will keep on coming back. I have completed my own "Bible study" with them, and told them where they have gone wrong and given scriptural evidence, I have also written a letter to their Kingdom Hall to "end" the sessions. If you engaged verbally with them, they will win-they are heavily encouraged to avoid being "put off".

Just be careful, they're harmless enough-but they know their stuff, and from a faith point of view, they can be quite damaging.