To be fed up with Christian callers

[DaisyBug1212]

At least once a week between 5 and 6 (tea time at our house) we get people knocking on our doors trying to preach to us about Christ and the bible. They say they can change our lives and make us so much happier (my face must portray my despair at them, yet again, being at the door) if we would just let god into our lives.

When i politely say 'im not religious, and were actually just having dinner' they start up asking me to explain why im not religious and detailing for the next 10 minutes or so why i should consider it.

I dont knock on their doors asking why they believe in god and telling them to consider giving it up, why do they find it acceptable to do it to me?

My mother used to try to argue with JW (she is CofE but argued about their take on medical intervention) she used to get herself very worked up, and it actually seemed to encourage them, and all the ones working the road would join the original pair on our doorstep... They always called at the wrong door, which was almost painted up and very hard to open, but she wrestled it open, so determined was she to argue with them - it didn't do anyone any good though, I don't think you can argue a very zealous believer into seeing holes in their belief system with logic nor by bursting into tears
Ironic really, as she can't stand it if anyone questions her beliefs teenage self , or declines to join her at church fund raisers...

Oh we don't get any of these, I think we may be blacklisted or something. My advice is act like a crazy person who you wouldn't want to go to the door of.

A couple of Jehovah witnesses turned up (with a baby I might add) years ago when DH and me were very young and I was pregnant with DD1. DS1 was staying at his grandmothers and DH and me were arguing about nothing who would go and pick him up.

There was lots of screaming and shouting and plate throwing going on and I opened the door to go to the car as they were about to knock. They handed me a leaflet about spreading the word of god to which I replied "you needn't talk to me about god because I fucking live with him!!!" at the top of my lungs, slammed the door behind me, stormed off and sped off in the car in a huff with myself.

If they manage to get through the controlled entry (flats) I answer the door with a very inquisitive rat or two on my shoulder. Although I know the rats are harmless, people tend to disappear very sharply And on the rare occasion the person has liked rats, I then launch into rat education 101 so they can't get a word in about their religion.

I usually answer the door while holding back my (very friendly but they aren't to know that) dog, and as soon as I see the copies of the Watchtower etc just start closing the door while explaining that I am an atheist and I think the bible is a work of fiction. Done and dusted in 30 seconds. We have a Kingdom Hall a couple of streets away, but I haven't been bothered for a while.

We have one of those 'No religious callers' signs up. You can also see fairly well through the glass in our front door. When the God Squad ring the bell, I just stand there a point at the sign without opening the door or saying anything until they go away.

I like to think that at least they will be happy having their suspicions about atheists being heartless confirmed

I've also found that, in person, saying something along the lines of "Prove it to me without saying a book told you so" gets them buggering off pretty sharpish.

Hello Knitty, I'm not as polite and. find piss off works well, except for the time a work colleague said, "Hi 6cats, didn't know you lived round here". That was embarrassing.

A massive statue of a Wicker man in your front garden and when you answer the door utter the lines

'animals are fine, but their acceptability is limited. A little child is even better, but not nearly as effective as the right kind of adult.'

Oh I felt sorry for the ones that came round my house. They looked all bruised and shaken and terrified of what I would say to them. People must be horrible to them all the time. It can't be enjoyable for them. Her hands were trembling as she read some bible passages to me and I just listened for a minute and said something vaguely non-committal. They gave me the magazine and off they went. They never came back.

I can understand that it might be annoying if they came back repeatedly but I don't think there's any need to tell them to fuck off, poor things. In their minds, they are doing something good and noble, that is akin to giving blood, they are trying to save your eternal life. I don't believe in all that, but it's nice of them to try.

I am clearly in a minority of one but I actually feel quite sorry for them.

Their church tells them that evangilising (sp?) is a major part of their belief, they must spread the word, it is in the Bible. So they spend hours and hours knocking on doors knowing that the chances of getting a conversion are slim to none. They are the religious version of energy company, commission only salepeople (who I also feel sorry for, who would do that for a living if they didnt have to?).

So I never swear, I am never rude but I do say "We have our beliefs and are happy with them thank you" and if they offer literature I take it. I dont understand why "FUCK OFF" is considered an ok thing to say to some poor bugger who really believes they are doing the right thing and its not ok to say at the post office counter when they offer you stamps, mobile phone top ups etc.

And you really should take the literature if only because it helps you to understand why they do this. I read a marvellous article in one some years ago from an American man who was converted via doorstepping. Within a couple of weeks he had got rid of their TV and his wife and family spent the evenings reading the bible together. He said they had never been so happy. I rather suspect that his kids had never hated him so much and his wife was after getting him committed!

singing X Post. Nice to know I am not the only one who feels for them.

No one comes to our door. Living in a state where there are more guns than people has a very very few advantages but this is one of them.

Nope. I'm with the 'FUCK OFF' advocates.

Politicians get the same response.

What is it MN likes to say? 'My house - my rules'?

I wouldn't bother feeling sorry for them, they feel sorry for you not being in 'the truth'! My mum is an ex JW, they only ever doorstop her once per address as she can quote chapter and verse of their nonsense right back at them, including but not limited to all the times the world was supposed to end. Every time she moves house though they arrive on her doorstep within weeks, and she enjoys the look of horror when she answers the door (small town, they all know each other). [:)]

I knew someone who used to say they were communist and therefore the callers were wasting their time.

OP after telling them you are about to eat if they continue just repeat that they are disturbing you and your family is waiting to eat, byeeee. And shut the door.

I go to Bible study myself. So i like discussing with them. They leave pissed off.

LOL adorabell I've got a mate who agrees to hear their spiel if they'll listen to him afterwards on Marxism. That normally puts them off.

OP, they aren't JWs but if they were, swearing at them would get rid. JWs keep a sort of naughty book, and if you tell them to fuck off, you get put in it and they don't come round any more.

I agree with pp, find out their sending organisation (this may entail a chat with them, but bite the bullet) call them, say that you don't want to be bothered any more. That should do it. But when you speak to them, be really clear that you mean not bothered at any time - don't say "They're coming round between 5 and 6 and that's teatime" because they will take that as carte blanche to come round between 3 and 4, or 8 and 9, or whatever....

Our vicar had a couple of Jw call at his house once, they left an hour later and never returned
I like to drop into the opening conversation that I'm Pagan, it really does work. As do Halloween decorations..
I did feel very sorry for 3 Mormon lads years ago, they showed up on my doorstep in a rather wet part if the North West practically off the plane from a very sunny part of America. Pissed through and shivering they were, and about 15 by the look of them.
I let them in out of pity to dry off, they were lovely and polite, we had a little chat and I sent them on their way. The following week I saw them again. It was 9/11, the second tower had just fallen and they had no idea. I told them to go back to wherever they were staying and phone home.
Didn't see them again.

FreeSpirit - what a wonderful sign - I wonder if dh would let me have one?

HowsTheSerenity - it would be quite exciting to be doorstepped by the Satanists!

I don't feel sorry for them for believing that they need to convert all of us foolish folks who don't believe in whatever it is they do. I'm quite capable of making UK my own mind and don't take kindly to people bothering me in my own home because they're certain they know better than me.

I was housesitting for someone when a young man selling something for a highly dubious "charity" turned up. For some reason he wanted to know if I was the lady of the house, but when I said no he became highly offended and decided I was lying to him. I pointed out that accusing me of being a liar didn't exactly make me want to buy any of his dodgy and very expensive goods and closed the door. Somehow I doubt that he was their most successful salesman.

I rather like the note Tim Minchin apparently has on his door: www.pinterest.com/pin/401594491742032576/

I agree with Singing and Bogeyface. I'm sure they absolute hate having to do the door-to-door calling, but their religion says they have to. It must be like trying to sell double glazing over the phone, but worse, because you're not even getting paid.

We do get JWs reasonably often (no Mormons or anyone else, though) and they are always very nice and I am always very polite to them. I usually say, "I'm very sorry but I'm not interested" and accept a copy of The Watchtower, which goes straight into recycling.

I always loved my lovely late grandads approach, he was the most annoying. contrary argumentative sod on God's earth and regarded argument as a lovely and enjoyable sport. He would argue the shy was green if someone was offering an opposing views. He used to take the JWs andLDS into the garden with a cup of tea and bore them into submission...it's a very amusing sight to watch prothlesizers walking backwards desperately trying to escape...after 3 or 4 visits we realised he was being avoided when rest of houses still being haunted. Admittedly not at all practical for busy household trying to eat supper, but very very amusing.

I have a question. Quite often people will have a moan on Mumsnet about Christians being persecuted and not getting enough respect and saying everyone should respect other people's religious beliefs even if we don't agree with them. Why does this not seem to apply to JWs? People seem to feel free to be rude about (and to) JWs. Aren't they equally deserving of respect?