to think that people shouldn't knock on doors 'selling' G(g)od ?

[ohtowinthelottery]

Have just spotted a small group of older ladies touring our estate, knocking on front doors. Have seen this sort of group before and they are usually calling to tell people about God and distribute their magazine.

Before I get flamed, I was brought up in a very religious family and went to church every Sunday for many years - although I have lost my faith over recent years. I have no objection to people having religion of any kind and am very tolerant of peoples beliefs. I have on many occassions had friends offer to pray for us when things aren't going well and I don't mind (not sure if thats because I think it will do us any good or if its just because it lets them feel they are doing something positive).

Anyway, these ladies have just rung my doorbell and then knocked on my door. I have (probably for the 1st time in my life) not bothered to answer the door to them. I generally open the door to anyone (double glazing salesmen, Chuggers) and allow them their 2 minutes, before politely telling them "no thanks, not today". But this particular group just irritate me. I think my judgement is partly clouded by a particular group who knocked on my door many years ago on a lovely sunny morning and started off by telling me "What a lovely spot I lived in, with a lovely house and how lucky I was". I had, just months before, given birth to a baby who was severely disabled and was feeling far from lucky and certainly wasn't feeling like I had anything to thank God for. I was so stunned by what they said, I just smiled politely, said "not today" and shut the door (before bursting into tears).

There are 3 churches in the village where I live, and I am well aware that if I want to find God, then I can go there. I appreciate that these ladies are probably not from the local CofE, Methodist or Baptist church, but nevertheless, If I wanted religion, it is not difficult to find

So should this unsolicited practice be stopped - especially if they are going to start off by spouting something about how lucky people are when they know nothing about individuals circumstances and make 'judgements' that are incorrect?

I do get irritated by it, we're in a very churchy area and we have a lot of JW's so it can be one a week sometimes. I'm generally polite but have started to tell them I'm Pagan (which I am) when they start with the questions. Most haven't yet developed a response to that one!

Misses out the YANBU.

Well only if you can stop everyone knocking on doors that you may not want. How about a sign, No Peddlars, No Chuggers and DEFINITELY No God Botherers!

I just want one that says "if I don't know you and you don't have a parcel for me then please piss off".
I said please so it can still be considered polite....

It's young American boys in suits around my way. I can't imagine they convert many people on the door step. I imagine they see it as their duty to spread god's word? No clue,.I'm not in the slightest bit religious.

I'd prefer not to have to.open the door to listen to stuff about god so Yanbu. Imo, this should be saved for churches where people choose to go and listen to it.

[shrug]

A simple polite "I'm not interested thank you does the job. I am reluctant to go anywhere down the "nanny state" route of banning things so YABU. And I am atheist.

They have the right to tell people about GOD and you have the right to not answer the door, tell them they upset you etc, as long as you are not abusive.

I'm not religious, in general I don't really mind if religious people knock on the door, as long as they're not too pushy and don't come too often. But telling a stranger that they are lucky is incredibly tactless, they have no idea what might have happened, so I can see why you feel this way.

Get a sign. I think I'm in love with mine.

We have a sign - can't link it but it says "STOP - no cold callers, no salesmen, no canvassers, no religious bodies." We have had JW's walk right up to it and then turn away. It is polite and makes the point!

I still don't get why they feel a need to push it on people.. Makes no sense to me.

YANBU, the should bugger off and leave the rest of us in peace

*they

Some religions expect their followers to go out and doorstep. I either ignore the door or answer it and politely say that I'm not interested. DH sometimes invites them in for a cup of tea or a cold drink, on the proviso that they don't discuss religion or politics

That's how they get into heaven though? If they don't meet the quota then they will be eaten by Satan.

All religion is rubbish - but I think YABU because I like to talk to them to remind myself why god is a lot of woof.

YANBU. Most companies are pulling out of doorstep selling because they realise it hacks people off. Time the god squad did the same thing.

YANBU - it annoys me too , but I get annoyed with anyone knocking at my door to sell me stuff.

A ex neighbour/friend of mine answered the door to a couple of very smart and handsome American men a few years ago. She lived with her partner and had a young toddler and was struggling a bit with day to day life as a SAHM.

She was very flattered by their attention and they managed to worm their way into her life. They started visiting her weekly, then she started having them stay for dinner. They pushed to meet her partner and then started pushing her to get her partner to marry her as they believed it was wrong that she has child out of wedlock.

They also suggested that she make regular payments/donations to their church ( church of the latter day saints)

Her partner was not happy with any of this and the relationship broke down within 6 months. I lost touch with her too as I found her behaviour becoming stranger and stranger and no longer had anything in common with her. It was as if she had been brainwashed.

"That's how they get into heaven though? If they don't meet the quota then they will be eaten by Satan. "

Ha ha, yes so true. Self interest dressed up as 'saving others'.

I think it's utterly objectionable. Knocking on people's doors is very much space-invading and anxiety-inducing.

Not everyone is physically / emotionally robust enough to deal with it effectively - it makes me really sad to think of the elderly vulnerable neighbours I've had over the years having to deal with door-to-door sales shit, including stuff like this.

people spreading the word of God ...at Christmas - how very unreasonable

Christianity demands evangelism - it's part of being a Christian

Give them a copy of Heirophant's Proselytizer Questionnaire and tell them to come back when they have answered it.

NobodyHasYetTiggaxx

"people spreading the word of God ...at Christmas - how very unreasonable"

But it is unreasonable (and very rude) - the fact that THEY don't see it as unreasonable doesn't make it so.

Actually, gordy showing up on someone's doorstep to try and bore them senseless with your own personal beliefs is not only unreasonable, it's also damn rude - at ANY time of the year.

I don't care if evangelising is part of being a Christian - so is stoning homosexuals to death and beating up naughty children, but I'd rather they didn't do that too. (And, to be fair, most don't now).

(Waits to be shrieked about about the OT vs NT).

Jingleflobba

What if it's flowers?

But Gordy, it's not very effective evangelism when it just winds people up, is it? I have a friend who makes pets of the JWs who visit her and tries to convert them to Taoism but she certainly doesn't take them seriously.

A while ago I remember being woken at 8am on a Saturday (after a pretty good Friday night) by an inanely grinning woman, plus small boy, who wanted to talk to me about the sanctity of Christian marriage. Even if I'd been straight I wouldn't have wanted some stranger yammering on at me when I had a hangover. Given that the stranger was yammering on at me about the joys of something my girlfriend and I were legally prohibited from doing....

It was only the presence of the small boy that made me say "No thanks" fairly politely and shut the door. If he hadn't been there I'd have started asking her about the Bible's views on family, starting with Lot's daughters being cast out to be raped and taking it from there...

So should this unsolicited practice be stopped...

YANBU to find it annoying. You are being unreasonable to think it should be "stopped" (by what? legislation?) just because it happens to irritate you.