When Mormans come to your door, doing what they are required to do....?

Question

what could they change in there manner of speaking to seem less offensive or arrogant in your view? I am asking about alternative behaviour when arriving at your door..... suggestions to make it less painful for you - and for them. So pelase don't aswer if all you can say it DON'T COME. They are not allowed within their beliefs to just not come.

Tish - were they trying to 'sell' you their religion?! OMG

Thank you Neilman

notyou311- you sound like a 'kind' sort of guy!

Thank you Misscanbew - I tend to agree with you.

silentscream - the only trouble is that they are not soliciting - so that sign would not apply.

huntjames32-that is very reaonable

thanks syberian

CAMBELL GRAMMA? Are you sure about that? I have never had Jehovah's Witnesses tell me I am going to hell for not soing things their way. Not the mormons either. You arr not speaking truth my dear.

Answer 1

when told that i am not interested then just leave instead of trying to force the conversation.

Answer 2

Are you a Mormon? Is that why you're asking?
I don't think there is anything they can do to seem less arrogant. Just the fact that they are coming to my door, telling me that their religion is better than mine, is extremely rude and arrogant to me.
Yes, they try to be pleasant and polite about it. They dress neatly, they speak nicely, but just the fact that they are there, is offensive to me.
Besides the fact that they show up, another thing that bothers me is that I can't get rid of them. I try to be polite, but they have answers to anything I say. I just want them to leave, and the only way for me to do that is by being rude. Because if I answer the door, and realize it's them, I will say "no thank you", but then they continue talking to me and I will continue saying "no thank you I am not interested", and eventually close the door in their face. I hate it that they make me be so rude. I'm always frustrated that this little incident did not end nicely on my part. I would not let them into my house because I am not interested in what they have to say, and I wish I could just get them away without slamming the door in their face or making up stuff like "I'm a Jewish lesbian and could never believe in Jesus".

Answer 3

I think they always should use the proper etiquette.


the original American etiquette for visiting in the 1800's was in use by most Americans at the time Mormons were first founded, an age, when some people had servants and before the postcard was invented. I'm updating it just for your question

When preparing to visit a home , a person should first send or leave their calling card inquiring when it would be convenient to visit.
it is consider the worst sort of rudeness for a person to come uninvited, when it is convenient only to themselves. This is a behavior which etiquette permits only to family and very intimate acquaintances.

Once the calling card is received , The homeowner then has the option of sending an invitation or replying they will not be at home to callers.

2006 update .. Send a letter with a prepaid, pre addressed postcard to be sent back.

if you cant show common courtesy and are rude enough to come uninvited then you better just develop a very thick skin.

Answer 4

If you have the time, then invite them in politely. Grab your Bible and open it to Acts. Then ask them to show why you should accept Joseph Smith's bright ideas over Scripture's. Latter-Day Saints are not nearly as familiar with the Bible. They can't be. The Book of Mormon gets shown up every time and what would their church be without the Book of Mormon.

You might also ask them WHICH edition they have? The Book, supposedly writ by the hand of the angel Moroni, has been significantly altered. At least 4 times so far. Now what kind of Holy Writ NEEDS to be rewritten? It's either right the first time or it's c..p.

If you don't have the time or the inclination to debate with them, merely thank them for caring and state, politely but firmly, that you and your faith are perfectly ok just as is.

Answer 5

well to be honest, I don't know if going door to door to convert people to Mormanism is really that effective. 1. People hate to be bothered at home. 2. Religion is a really touchy subject for some people.

I really think if you talked less and gave more info flier form, people may be more inclined to read it. The fact is, you can't convert some one if they're not looking for that in their life, or if they are already practicing in another religion.

Humans for the most part, are not good listeners, they'd rather talk than listen, so the more you talk, the more they shut their ears, and think of a rebuttal instead of absorb what you say.

So the best you can do is just say a quick word, and then get the hell out of their way

Answer 6

I just don't answer the door. I don't have a problem with them doing it. It is their right, this country is based on that. I also have a right to not talk to them. Great how that works, isn't it.
Some people I know are afraid they'd be rude by not answering the door, though. So they listen and let them come back again and again.
To answer your question, I've never felt that any of them were arrogant and I have never been offended. Any mormons that have come to my house in the past have been respectful and polite. Best of luck to all.

Answer 7

You know what? You made me feel a little sorry for them. That's a shame that they are compelled to do such an intrusive and repellent thing. Most people know where to find out about any religion that interests them; they don't want or need evangelists intruding on their lives. If Mormons are forced to violate what is considered good manners in our society, they will have to suffer the consequences. Their very actions are offensive and arrogant. Nothing they do can alleviate that, since they are compelled to be what most people consider rude.

So, Mormons have no choice? (Man, that is SAD.) Perhaps they should leave their literature, and tell people to contact them if they have questions. Then go, quickly. Avon people leave their catalogs with contact information all the time. I decide whether I want to talk to them or not.

I, for one, will NEVER open my door to Mormons. Sorry, what they do is just too rude.

Answer 8

Well, sugarplum, any time someone else is 'not allowed' to not harrass others at their private residence, I have to wonder about the ethics of the individual. And of their organization. If they knock, and I say, "no thanks", that should be all it takes. But they come back, like the damn borg! Or they try to convince me that I'll go to hell if I don't accept the "truth" according to your group, or "not get to be with my family in heaven forever' when the bible guarantees this already. And try to teach me to believe in things that are contrary to the truth. So when I say , "Don't come." I mean it. And this is America. And until Bush and the rest of you finally take it over and make it into Mormon America, it will still be America and I have my Freedom of Religion, which you would love to be able to remove. The mormon version of 'freedom of choice' means making the mormon choice or 'suffering consequences' that mormons impose and think up. You are not going to be a goddess, your honey is not going to be a god, (blasphemy), jesus is not god (also blasphemy) AND I don't believe that Joe Smith translated anything. I'm pretty sure he made it all up from beginning to end. So, "don't come" is the only thing I will ever say. Or else I'll just pretend I'm not home.

Answer 9

I think that there is no way for them not to seem arrogant. I am trying to say this gently, but i think its true.

When a group of people tries to impose or press their rigid belifs on others, it shows that they do not respect that persons right to think, analyze, and make decisions as an individual.

It also shows that they probably ahve stopped thinking and analyzing themselves.

Are you Mormon? I have friends who were Mormons, and left becuase they got really high in the ranks, then were asked to lie about divine connection to those below them. It completly ruined their faith, so I feel less inclined to respect the Mormon religion, though I do try to be polite.

Answer 10

I think you have Mormons confused with Jehovah's Witnesses. Mormons (I am one), are not required in their religion to proselytize. Full-time missionaries serve voluntarily. Jehovah Witnesses are the ones who are required by their religion to go door to door. The difference, you will see Mormons come in a pair, always, they will either be two young men in a white shirt and tie, or two young women in dresses or skirts. They have black tags with the true name of the church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on them. And you will find that they are not pushy or offensive. Yes, I served a mission, and we were taught to NOT argue with people, NOT be pushy, and always be polite. As a matter of fact, very little of our proselytizing is done door-to door anymore. It is usually done by referral. A member of our church invites a friend to learn about the church, they agree, so the missionaries go and talk to them. I have been visited by Jehovah Witnesses and I do find them to frequently be argumentative and pushy. I just very sweetly tell them that I appreciate their dedication to their faith, but I truly am not interested. If they put their foot in the door or begin a slur of arguments, I just repeat what I said. Then they get bored with me and leave. I don't want to hurt their feelings. I understand why they do what they do. I understand that they believe they are doing what they think is right. Just treat them the way you would want to be treated.

Answer 11

They could start by telling me what they personaly, truly, and honestly believe. Not the script they are compeled to memorise and follow no matter what. You will never have one respond to your request to honestly give a personal testimoney of their own personal beliefes about mormonism. They are not alowed to... this is fact as i have been given by many of the door to door ones when they are not being watched by their handelers... why are there always two? because one is the senior and charged with keeping the other in line to prevent personal shareing.

Just politly tell them you are not interested and close the door.

ps; to one responder...their book has been modified over 2,500 times... as I have been told by one who was born mormon and practiced for over 40 yrs befor finding The Truth.