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?

It should be voluntarily 'stopped' out of courtesy and commonsense because it irritates most people. When trying to win converts and influence people, irritation is counterproductive. Perhaps they could draw up a god squad code of practice ....only visit those who specifically ask?

Local byelaws can stop this type of thing from happening, just as they can outlaw drinking on the street.

For example, there is a byelaw in Bournemouth that prevents children from going door to door, so why not adults?

It should be voluntarily 'stopped' out of courtesy and commonsense because it irritates most people.

Does it irritate "most" people or do "most" people just manage to deal with it and not let it bother them?

People shouldn't knock on doors selling anything.

I think invading someone's home space without invitation in order to sell or promote something should be against the law - and that includes knocking and telephoning.

When they knock on my door, it's easy to say no I don't believe in god, go away. I've done it many a time. I don't get annoyed.

I do feel for those who are vulnerable though. One JW told me that he got into the religion as his wife was sucked in. This was right after he tried to convince me that science was just silly.

I don't answer the door unless it's a parcel delivery.

If I have inadvertently answered to the God-squad I always say 'We've got God already mate' so they don't waste their time.

I don't encourage randoms to call at the door as I work from home a couple of days a week and don't answer when there's a client with me.

"Does it irritate "most" people"

I think, if we ran a straw poll, we'd find more than 50% found the practice of cold-calling either irritating, annoying or even worrying.

"Does it irritate "most" people or do "most" people just manage to deal with it and not let it bother them?"

I think most people do find unsolicited door knocking and phone calls irritating and intrusive, yes.

And of course most people do manage to say no and get on with their lives, but that is NOT the point.

Door knocking is particularly intrusive, especially if you are infirm/disabled and have difficulty moving around, or are vulnerable in some other way.

And unsolicited door knocks and phone calls can be extremely disturbing of everyday life - for example

• if you work shifts and are trying to sleep, but need to keep phone on for emergencies

• if you are ill (ditto above)

• if you are waiting for news by phone from eg a hospital, or waiting for a member of family to return home - if you have to sprint downstairs to answer the phone, or get the door, only to be met with some sales idiot, yes it is particularly intrusive

They hunt in packs round our way and stand out like a sore thumb, you can tell immediately they are 'spreading the word' .

I ignore them when they walk past our kitchen window and don't answer the door.

I don't think you can ban them/ salesmen from knocking on doors unfortunately.

You can normally spot them a mile off in my village, dressed up like the Waltons, i dont answer the door for im just not interested.

If i want something, i'll go out and find it.

They'd have a challenge with me since i had a baby out of wedlock, not even remotely religious, still got that damn catholic guilt, thanks dad.

Glad it's not just me that finds them annoying then! As I said, I can usually deal with cold callers, but memories of what was said by this type of caller all those years ago, leaves me not wanting to open the door to them and also wondering who does actually want to randomly 'find religion' at 11.00 on a Tuesday morning.
I agree all cold callers should be banned - the telephone ones are far more of a nuisance, as they happen a number of times in a day week.
If they call again when DS is here, maybe I'll send him to answer the door. Inspite of his CofE school education, he claims to be an atheist and likes nothing better than a good argument!

As an atheist I say good on them. If they think their message is worth spreading then good on them.

Just don't open the door like me.

But you can't just not open the door, what if it's a parcel? Do you shout through the door first to check whether they're bringing a missive from god?

C
I suspect the door knockers are not orthodox Christians so this is probably irrelevant. However, every Christian is there because someone has told them about the good news of Christ. It is a commandment of Christ to 'tell others'.

In Revelation, there is a very famous passage which has turned into a famous painting. "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me" Rev 3:20.

Basically, Christians will knock at your door (either literally, or by another means), and they will take the conversation further if you respond. If not, they should withdraw graciously. The ball is in your court, OP. If you don't want to engage in conversation, just say so. No need to get offended by being given the offer of eternal life.

No need to get offended by being given the offer of eternal life.

Oh my days, you made that sound like she should be grateful for this offer, sheesh.

"No need to get offended by being given the offer of eternal life."

Actually I'd go so far as to say I do find it offensive that a Christian (or member of any other religion) would foist their beliefs on me - as by 'denying' them it immediately puts me in the wrong in their eyes (whatever that might entail, going to hell etc).

I know very well I am likely to be judged in a negative way by them simply because I don't believe what they do, and yes that can be offensive, especially when it's on my own doorstep.

And it's worse if it's not a complete stranger - especially if that person has some power over your life or your children's life, eg boss, school staff, public official, close relative etc.

I don't want anyone knocking on my door whether they're selling religion or windows. If I want either then I will make enquiries. When DS2 was born at the end of Summer the number of people knocking on my door was awful and always when I was feeding. I tried not to explode, but I did cry when I shut the door one day when I had had five calls in one hour.

Thankfully we still (just) live in a Free Country - they are free to peddle whatever.........and you are free to not answer the door, or to tell them to piss off.

It's not as easy as just not ever answering the door though - you get legitimate knocks on the door from eg the postman We don't all have super intercoms or security cameras installed.

And yes you can tell them to piss off, but by that time they have already disturbed you.

I know very well I am likely to be judged in a negative way by them simply because I don't believe what they do, and yes that can be offensive, especially when it's on my own doorstep.

Not at all. Most missionaries believe that the Christian life is a process that is nurtured from next to nothing. If you already believed, there would be no work for them. They do really understand how people respond and are prepared in advance for it.

Amerryscot - sorry but that sounds like something that a salesperson WOULD say. Okay you might not condemn me (you'd leave that up to god, no doubt) but at the very least you'd see me as a prospect - not a person with an opinion worth respecting.

My husband spoke to the jw they never came back....

Religion is a form of control i think he told them.