Having religion thrust at me at everu opportunity

[Fluffypeach]

I'm currently off work due to covid and thoroughly enjoy my daily riverwalk with my dog.

I have got friendly with a 90 year old man who is very sweet. This man has introduced me to another friend of his (I'd say he's 70+)

I have been approached by both of them on separate occasions to ask if I'm "saved" or a "believer" to which I have said no...and left it there. I do not believe in God but I do respect their views so I have left the conversation there.

The new friend has given me leaflets about sin when I have bumped in to him, which is fine... he then managed to track down my work phone number, text me to invite me to a course at his church. I politely declined along the lines of "thanks very much for thinking of me but I'm not interested".

I bumped in to him the next day where he gave me another leaflet for the same course "even though you said you weren't interested".

I am not a confrontational person at all and I despise having bad feeling with anyone but I really want this to stop. Any ideas on how to politely but firmly tell this man to back off? He is also a bit too interested in my life and my husband...I'm feeling very uncomfortable with it all and have even stopped walking my dog for weeks at a time to avoid this!

They arent friends. They are people out recruiting for their religion, so of course they make it a friendly approach. They probably do this all day long and talk to lots of people.

They are essentially religious huggers. Treat them in the same way. Keep walking if they speak to you. If you dont feel you can ignore them, keep walking and call 'no thank you're over your shoulder as you step past them.

They're just salespeople in a sense, they arent really interested in you just in getting g a convert, so don't let them waste any more of your time. They'll have someone else along in a minute.

Chuggers, not huggers!

Say no thank you and don't take their leaflet. If they insist then put it in the bin in their view.
They're not friends, they're rude and trying to force/coerce you to do what they want. Block his number too.

It’s time to stop respecting their views. They’re clearly not extending you the same courtesy. Next time they try to ‘save’ you, state clearly and firmly, ‘I don’t believe in God. I never will. I don’t want to discuss why not or any other aspect of this. Please take note.’

To be honest, I don’t think they’ll take a blind bit of notice - but at least you’ve tried the polite way before telling them to fuck off.

I would be treating this as harassment given they managed to track down your work's number.

They have got 1 thing right though about sin.

Religion is sin :D

cultists preying on you being nice. Stop being so nice. Tell him that if he interacts with you again in any way then you will be calling the cops for harrassment. Use of the words 'fuck off and leave me alone' may be necessary.

Pushing him into the water would of course be a crime, tempting as it is.

What’s his age got to do with it?

Are they Jehovah’s Witnesses?

Give him some crappy MLM catalogue every time and call him back every time about some crappy health product

@Blankspace101

What’s his age got to do with it?

Are you really pretending you don’t get that someone might take a softer approach with a 90 year-old?

I would be polite but firm.

Say something like "I appreciate that your faith is important to you, and that you probably feel like you're helping me, but I don't find it helpful and I am really not interested. I have my own beliefs and I'm happy with them, so I would be grateful if you could please refrain from mentioning this again."

Hs tracked down your work phone number? That's not friendly, that's creepy.