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?

Maybe your opinion, tinsel, confirms that you are not a believer.

Not sure what you mean by that amerryscot?

Amerryscot how would you feel if say a muslim came to your door & tried to persuade you to convert to their religion, happy with that? Then how about if a pagan did the same, asked you to start worshipping the mother goddess? Or a member of the Church of Satan, is that OK in your books? How about if a new religion was created and they want the right to force you to convert or kill you slowly & painfully?

tigga that is brilliant! I love the question about original sin!

I had a couple the other week misquoting Darwin. I went and grabbed my copy of On the Origin of species and gave them amendments and asked them to write it down correctly.

If I have time I quite enjoy debating with them. I studied pre Christian and early hebraic myth and it's great to share some science and debunk Christianity in all its flavours.

YANBU

I am annoyed by any sort of cold caller but particularly the religious ones.
In the same way that anyone else selling something at the door only gets sales from those who are vulnerable, these religious people "spreading the word" are doing just the same. They are only going to get over the threshold of someone who is vulnerable/ lonely/ confused/ searching for approval etc. I find it morally wrong.

YABU - I don't think you should be banning people from knocking on other people's doors - where would it end?
A bit sad that they are doing it to gain brownie points for themselves. I have more sympathy for those who are trying to lead you to salvation, for your sake rather than theirs.
My favourite version of "Aren't you lucky" is "Cheer up, it may never happen" (it has happened, that's why I'm looking so miserable, you git).

Where would it end? In peace and bloody quiet, that's where.

If someone wants to communicate, nothing to stop them putting their argument in writing and sticking it through the door. Of course bullying, false claims etc are much easier to pin down then - so the unscrupulous might not be so keen on that option.

Offer them a mince pie and ask why the Watchtower has a picture of a stegosaurus making friends with a panda.

So what would you do if it was illegal? Phone 999 every time someone with a Watchtower knocks on your door? The police would be completely uninterested.
You can't just make everything that annoys you a bit illegal!

Maybe not illegal - but a raising of social consciousness about what an unacceptable nuisance the majority of door knocking is would be a help.

Our Neighbourhood Watch (or it might have been the council, not sure) issued 'cold callers not welcome' stickers for those that wanted it. It has had an effect in deterring a fair proportion, and those who still insist on going ahead are at least put on the back foot a bit by it.

Are they asking you to start worshipping? I don't think I have ever come across anyone doing that on a doorstep, nor can I envision anyone ever doing that. Most people starting from scratch wouldn't know how to worship so there is no point in commanding them to start. What a weird notion.

I think the JWs ask you simply to read their literature, don't they?

When more orthodox Christians call round, they are simply inviting you to church (not an act of sacramental worship) or to a course, or an open house.

There is quite a big school of thought within Anglican mission circles that reaching out does not mean dragging in. It means meeting people where they are and valuing them as individuals.

So what would you do if it was illegal? Irrelevant question. If it was illegal (a civil rather than criminal offence, I'd imagine) then most decent people wouldn't do it.

Are they asking you to start worshipping? Again, where's the relevance? Doesn't matter whether they ask you to start worshipping/praying/dancing a rumba. The fact of the matter is that they are assuming the right to knock on the door of a private household and try to engage them in conversation about their personal beliefs.

Freedom of religion is important. So, equally, is freedom FROM religion. Some Christians would do well to remember that.

If they want to invite people to their church or whatever, take an ad out in the paper like everyone else does. Or, if they are really desperate to save souls, a leaflet drop. But knocking is rude and presumptuous.

Anyone can knock at your door- it is a free country. I find it very easy - I just answer the door and say, pleasantly, 'I'm not interested , thank you' and close the door.

As a Christian, I think YANBU. Yes, I feel that evangelism is important but going door-to-door is rude, obnoxious, inconsiderate & just plain annoying! My church is very open & does a lot with our local community. We put leaflets through doors to let people know about specific events & we let people know at those events about when/where our church services are but then it's up to them. If someone wants to know, they can ask. The day my church decides it's appropriate to turn up on someone's doorstep uninvited is the day I leave!

Amerryscot they are trying to persuade me to join their church & worship their God, it may not be the first thing they suggest but the overall purpose is to try to convert the person to whatever version of Christianity it may happen to be otherwise they wouldn't be doing it. So please don't insult our intelligence by suggesting that they aren't trying to gain converts to their particular sect.

In this country there is no lack of awareness of the Christian faith and everyone has plenty of opportunity to find out more without being evangelised to by people coming to their private residences without invitation.

exoticfruits - you might find it easy to

a) physically get yourself to the door
b) tell people to go away

but lots of people don't. Neither should they be in the position of having to.

TheMysteryCat I know, I came across it YEARS ago and keep a couple of copies at the door for 'callers' one person tried to answer a few of the questions and come back, but they did so, so poorly that it was laughable.

To the poster that wrote the eternal life line, you can keep your eternal life having been followed home by professed Christians and had holy water thrown at me for simply believing in one more god than the judeo/christian god.

As for JW's you can go to the local whatever it's called and ask them not to call anymore - they are ok about it.

ThinksThatTheFollowersOfTheJudeo/ChristianGodNeedToFollowMoreOfTheNiceJewishBoysTeachingsAndLeaveTheRestOfUsAloneTiggaxx

YANBU. I find them sanctimonious and irritating. As others have said there are times when I've quite enjoyed the look on their faces as they attempt to answer my questions but there are other times (with a newborn) when I've felt completely overwhelmed by the intrusion.

Oh, I hate this too. Also the phone cold-callers. Also the local churches pushing unwanted booklets through our door advertising their Christmas/Easter services and 'good works'. I don't want any of it.

WhenAChildIsBawnTigga thanks for the link to the 'Prosletizers questionnaire' - it's fabulous! DH read it eagerly last night and has been looking up all the contradictory Bible references for supporting his enjoyable online tweaking of Christians his education.

We don't put up with it from anyone else do we?

Yes we do-anyone at all-double glazing salesmen, people wanting to sell fish etc.
I did find it difficult to start with, but I watched a friend one day and she just said 'no thank you' and closed the door-since then I have followed that and it works every time-you don't let them have a second word.

I can be nice to callers if they just say 'We're xxx sect members would you be interested in a chat with us?' because I can politely say 'No thank you'. But when you open the door they start waffling and smiling about the weather/dog/flowers in the garden as if you are actually going to like them more for not getting straight to the point. I feel myself getting agitated and find it hard to send them on their way with a smile because I feel they are treating me like a fool.