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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get a little snappy with the Jehovah's Witnesses

98 replies

UnquietDad · 17/01/2008 11:21

OK, so I was going to post this in Philosophy/ Religion/Spirituality but I'd rather shove it somewhere more connected with the real world.

I've just had the sodding Jehovah's Witnesses at the door. DW made the mistake of being nice to them once and now they won't leave us alone. WHY do they think they are going to get anywhere with me? Pressing their mawkish little pamphlets on me and wibbling on about Adam and Eve. FGS, I have probably done more reading about religions of the world than the idiot woman who was proselytising to me. I mentioned Thor, Apollo, Zeus and Ra and her eyes glazed over! In the end I cut the "conversation" short (I use the word in its loosest sense) and shut the door on her.

I think they deserve about a minute of polite debate for having the chutzpah to door-knock. But it always degenerates into them quoting the sodding Bible at me. I'd rather have political canvassers - at least you can ARGUE properly with them....

OP posts:
Original poster
UnquietDad · 17/01/2008 13:28

Why should I need a sticker though?
And I don't know who's mat the door when I open it.

My point is not that I object to opening the door. It's that they should admit when they don't have the arguments.

OP posts:
IorekByrnison · 17/01/2008 13:30

My granny, a fervent catholic, used to go at them with a broom.

Only language they understand.

Iklboo · 17/01/2008 13:32

Offer polite refusal
Offer slightly firmer refusal
Be firmer and a little abrupt
Ask them to wait a moment. Go inside and get dictionary. Return to door. Point out definition of word "NO".
If that fails, point out definition of "F* OFF" (in OED)

UniversallyChallenged · 17/01/2008 13:32

Well then it's your choice - open the door and take what comes or put a sticker up saying no JWs.

What's the problem? Then neither side are wasting their time.

Problem solved - I thenk you

VictorianSqualor · 17/01/2008 13:35

BUT UQD's point is that he is fine to talk to them about it, discuss even, then they run out of things to say and can't hold a proper discussion.
Not that they come round, but that they can't back up what they're saying or even justify their points.

betterhalf · 17/01/2008 13:39

Do we have a thread about this each week as I'm sure this same thing was discussed to death last week.
Some people hate them calling; some people love them calling,; some people don't care either way. The End!

Fireflyfairy2 · 17/01/2008 13:40

They always say to me "Is your mammy at home pet?"

I always say "No"

Iklboo · 17/01/2008 13:40

Ooh - just thought - would a "No JWs" sticker be an offence under the religious tolerance thingy act?

Original poster
UnquietDad · 17/01/2008 13:41

But can't we have an option for "don't really want them calling but will talk to them for a bit if they do, just a bit disappointed they have worse arguing skills than a Y3?"

OP posts:
IorekByrnison · 17/01/2008 13:45

I don't think reasoned debate on issues of faith is really the strong point of many religions. If it was the Humanist Society or some such knocking at your door then I would say YANBU, but really what do you expect?

Peachy · 17/01/2008 14:18

'My granny, a fervent catholic, used to go at them with a broom.

Only language they understand. '

Ok yes lets condone violence shall we towards certain faith groups

I don't get their beleifs either, but I like to think I am way too intelligent to go at anybody (or advocate going at anybody) with a broom. Doors close, so close it. End of.

idlingabout · 17/01/2008 14:19

Just been reading Monkeytrousers' thread in 'Spirituality' about the Bishop talking (lying)about 'The God Delusion' and complaining about 'militant atheists'. It came to me UQD that you should find out where the JWs live and go round knocking on their doors. Make sure you are wearing a tightly -belted raincoat and that you are brandishing a copy of 'The God Delusion'

SueBaroo · 17/01/2008 14:22

It's that they should admit when they don't have the arguments.

-------

Oh, really, UQD, that's much of MN in the pooper, then

bunnyhunny, of course they think their belief system is better than yours, that's the nature of having a different point of view, especially in this topic. Atheists think their views are better than theists, Theists think their views are better etc.

IorekByrnison · 17/01/2008 14:23

Peachy - that was a joke - apologies for lack of emoticon, I just thought it was obvious.

My granny wasn't really a violent woman.

IorekByrnison · 17/01/2008 14:24

Idlingabout that is an excellent idea.

TellusMater · 17/01/2008 14:30

"I mentioned Thor, Apollo, Zeus and Ra and her eyes glazed over!"

LOL!!

Did you mention the flying spaghetti monster though?

sallysparkle · 17/01/2008 14:30

I answered the door to them recently in my pyjamas. Poor bloke stared at my chest which was admittedly swinging loose and said 'I don't think now is an appropriate time for a chat'. Am hoping that this may be the last time we see them!

Peachy · 17/01/2008 14:30

OK fair enough (if yous ee my post in SN at the moment not in a stable frame of mind so could be my fault- sorry)

gibberish · 17/01/2008 14:33

'It always degenerates into them quoting the sodding Bible at me'

Well there's a surprise YABU

IorekByrnison · 17/01/2008 14:34

My fault - I phrased very badly

Original poster
UnquietDad · 17/01/2008 14:39

gibberish - do you think that's a reasonable thing to do? Stand there and read a book at me which I could have read myself (and have in fact done)?

OP posts:
gibberish · 17/01/2008 14:46

It is reasonable for you to expect them to want to discuss the bible with those who are interested. That is why they are there so it shouldn't come as a surprise when they quote the bible.

If you are NOT interested, make it quite clear. Don't spend time in 'polite debate' if you have no interest - you are presumably wasting not just your time, but theirs too.

And as far as I am aware, Thor, Apollo, Zeus and Ra are not mentioned in the bible...

cestlavie · 17/01/2008 14:51

Nope. You're you're not being unreasonable at all. The fact you give them even the time of day is far better than they deserve. They're no better and no worse than a door-to-door double glazing salesman trying to convince you than you really really need a new conservatory.

Original poster
UnquietDad · 17/01/2008 14:51

gibberish
Missed my point enirely.

Why is it wasting my time? Surely they want to talk if they come to the door? ohhh, I see - I shouldn't debate with them, I should just nod sagely and say "I see you're right?"

Their whole stance and raison d'etre is so offensively anti-intellectualist to me - i.e it seems they have switched their brains off - that I just can't do that. Someone STANDING there are READING bits of a thousands-of-years-old book to me is not clever.

My reference to the other gods was merely to point out that they are, as the Christian god is, inventions - and that anyone who believes in the christian god is "atheist" with regard to these deities. Therefore they are 99% atheist. I just go the extra 1%.

Eeven soemthing as provovcative as that didn't get a proper answer!

OP posts:
Aimsmum · 17/01/2008 14:51

Message withdrawn