Why do some people have problems with door-to-door evangelists?

Question

On Saturday, a group of three young women knocked on my door to give me an invitation to their church. (They were Baptists, by the way). They also pointed out that the invitation had "The Plan of Salvation" on the back so that I wouldn't have to go to Hell. I accepted the invitation, said "OK" and closed the door. No problem.

And that's typical of my interaction with door-to-door evangelsists, whether they are Baptists, JWs, Mormons or whatever.

Why do some other people on YA seem to have endless problems with door-to-door evangelists? Is it because they try to argue with the evangelists? Is it just because I am ugly and scary looking so no one wants to talk to me for more than a few seconds? Are people in other states just ruder than people around here?

Answer 1

I think they are not prepared to talk about their spiritual beliefs in a calm and rational manner. I'm Mormon, and although I've never been on a mission (no doors slamed in my face), from the stories I've heard, most of the rudeness and slammed doors come from a knee jerk reaction. The cause of that knee jerk reaction, I think, is fear. People believe what they say they believe because they believe what they were taught as a child. They've never really examined their beliefs to see if what their church preaches is really what they believe. When I converted, I told my parents. My Mom totally freaked out. She demanded that I never talk about my religion or my faith. It was such a knee jerk reaction that there was no other cause for it other than fear.

By the way, thanks for being nice. It only takes a few seconds, even if you don't want to really talk, to say, "no thank you, I'm not interested."

Answer 2

I do mind, and have put up with it for many years, being nice, saying "no, thank you," I have a church, whatever. I work shift work, and I am often sleeping when they come around. I answer the door in my PJ's and robe, looking sleepy and rumpled. This latest bunch, who just happen to be JW, will not take "no" for an answer. They say"oh, I"m sorry ,you were sleeping," and proceed with their speech. I say, nicely, yes I was, I work shift work, I sleep during the day, could you not call here anymore. They come anyway, it is the same people everytime. I used to applaud their religious fervor, they truly believe I am going to hell because I do not attend their church, but enough is enough. I read an article recently about their beliefs, they believe that people from another religion are devils. My attitude changed. I am not a devil, and I have to work for my living. I do not listen anymore, I say, I was sleeping, I have asked you before not to come here, please do not come back. They do not get the chance to talk. And they keep coming back.
And then add it all up, count the groups who use door to door solicitation, Jw, Morman, Baptist, Methodist, who all come to the door to talk, I get booted out of bed on average once a week.
I am tired of it, I deserve to have some sleep, it is not something anyone can do without.
And add the can I mow your yard, please buy this for my school, buy this magazine or siding people to the mix, and add in the telemarketers who called me 3 times yesterday[Sunday] and it is a wonder I get any rest.
People are rude because the people at the door think they have the right to disturb people, interupt lives, be rude themselves. The homeowners are rude because it is rude not to consider you might be inturupting someone's sleep when you knock at a stranger's door.I am . It is rude to treat people who must work other than in the daytime as second-class citizens. I would have an answer for that, if I took myself so seriously that I would use it:sometime, somewhere, you or your loved one will have to go to the hospital. You better pray that that nurse trying to save your life got a decent night's/days sleep, and hasn't been woke up x times by rude people at the door..Guess what I do for a living? And yes, I know JW and other religions do not believe in modern medicine. I still see them at the hospital, as patients.
I will be trying not to be rude, but is my door, my property, and my sleep

Answer 3

Because religion and politics are 2 things which are known to cause enormous friction between people, especially complete strangers. Add the fact that the evangelists are coming to your home and it can be percieved as an outright invasion.

I have great respect for door-to-door evangelists. It takes alot of courage to do what they do, but I won't invite them in. I politely tell them I am very comfortable with my faith and wish them a safe journey. Any literature they offer is promptly filed into the waste basket as soon as the door closes.

Peace

Answer 4

I used to be a door-to-door evangelist in a way. My (former) church has a program where teenagers go to houses and try to sell them cookbooks. If they're intereseted, the next step is to try to interest them in buying "non-denominational" devotional books. In truth, the books are written by the church's founder and are very denominationally slanted. Finally, if they still say no, the kids practically force them to take a small religious book, telling them it's a free gift.

Looking back on it, I'm not surprised we had the cops called on us on more than one occasion. And this isn't some fringe cult church, it's a mainstream Protestant denomination with millions of memebers around the world (and not JW). I'm abhored with our actions now that I have grown up and have some perspective.

Answer 5

As a God seeker, I find myslef trying to interact with these people more than they've bargained for. Many don't mind it, but the Jehovah's Witnesses just lose their cool when I try to invite them to my church's events or try to share my understanding of the very scripture they've just read to me. It being my porch and all, I expect a little more open mindedness and sincerity. I don't want a pre-packaged approach ending with doom and gloom.

I guess I also have a basic dislike for trying to "sell" God in thirty seconds of less to people. Usually this is done by inspiring fear of Hell. I just don't get that. To me an invitation is okay, some inspiration is fine, but the rest just tends to turn people off from what they really need most.

That's my 2¢.

Answer 6

I've had church groups come to my door and invite me to attend their church, too. If I was free that Sunday and felt like going, I went. I've never had an unpleasant experience, though none of my visits inspired me to join those churches. I've also had the Jehovah's Witnesses pay me a visit and want to come inside to chat. I invited them in, listened to what they had to say, and shared my own views. They came back about a month later to see if I had changed my mind. I said that I hadn't, and they didn't bother me again. Unfortunately, some groups aren't so good about taking no for an answer and you have to get a little stern with them, but I personally have not had to do so. My visitors have always been pleasant, and I've always responded in kind. I'm always interested in learning how other people view the world and our place in it.

Answer 7

That's a good idea if its only 1 brand of churchies coming to the door. If this trend were more popular and the churches with better manners started to solicit their superstition door to door we could have 10 to 15 groups a day. The scientologist could be there at dinner, the baptist could swing by for lunch, and midday we could get the muslims and the kirby vacuum men.

Answer 8

Well, where I am, it's not so easy to shut the door. They either want you to come out, or them to come in. Then, they want to preach at you for an hour.

Let me put it this way to all door-to-door evangelists:

I know your church is there. I have seen it. If I am not at your church, it is because I do not want to be at your church! It is not because I am unable to find the way there. I do not like being told I am going to Hell if I don't go to your church. I do not agree with the supposition that only your church will save my immortal soul. Hell, I don't agree with most of the things you say! I like being able to speak my mind without having to worry about people saying I'm a Satanist. I do not like people thumping their Bibles at me. And trust me, don't try the religious rhetoric. My mother has trained me well. I can keep up with just about any religious conversation. I am quite capable of reading, and interpreting, the Bible, all by myself. I do not need someone to walk me through it. Thank you, and do NOT knock on my door please.

Answer 9

It is because in this day in age, trust is no longer an option with strangers. One operates in the day to day routines within the realm of their own life and that's the only way to prevent any danger to yourself or your loved ones. The mass media makes sure that you are reminded of the dark and pessimistic world that we live in each and every day. Door to door evangelist are perceived no different from a salesman, or a stranger knocking on our door and most people are not rude, but just AFRAID.

Answer 10

I do not like the idea of anyone selling god door to door and that is what they are doing. They are not going to your house to help you find god. They are going there to push there religion and beliefs on you and if you are buying then they will get more people to come to there church and get more of a collection at the end of the sermon. Or in the case of some baptist able to sell more sermons on tape at the end of the service. If they were here to just see if you had a belief in a God like the person above stated when the Jewish came to the Catholics door they would just leave happy knowing that house had a belief. No where does it say I have to believe in what you do. I have a mind and can think for myself. So thank you for wishing to share your religion when I am interested I will come to you.. Please do not come to me.