I answered the door and there they were.....and the conversation starts out that they will only take one moment to discuss one bible verse. To make a long story shorter....I discussed the first bible verse and thought I was smart enough to get out of the conversation quickly......unfortunately....I have 3 pamphlets now (I did avoid accepting a little book)...but they are coming back again. (3rd time). Anyways....please tell me anything you can think of about their religion that is something abnormal or negative or unlikeable in any way.....so that I can avoid any further door knockings. (also....I'd like to be nice about it). Thanks.
2007-02-12 16:08:08 · 59 answers · asked by ? 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Tell them you want to be put on the "Do Not Contact" list. Tell them you are not interested in their message, it's best they save their energy for those who are. If they argue, shut the door & call the phone number listed in the phone book under Jehovah's Witnesses. You should reach a church elder who will see that your wish is met.
No need to be nasty (waterhose, practical jokes?), just be direct. Their religious organization keeps a list of address that don't want to be contacted and they may make simple annual "are you still wanting to be on the do not contact list" calls.
2007-02-13 06:30:38 · answer #1 · answered by brassinpocket 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Oh, honey tell me where you live, I have a time share condo to sell and some insurance, replacement windows, maybe some stock and a few things I couldn't get rid of on E-bay. Salesmen LOVE people like you. You are SO nice! I remember going to a woman's house years ago to sell something and there were all of these signs on her front door that said "stay away" in one form or another. I felt a little afraid, but went in. Then I saw a Rainbow vacuum cleaner, and I knew... then she said she had to have all of those signs on the door because if anyone ever got in the door she was lost. She could not say no to anyone.
STOP BEING NICE. Everyone is nasty to salesmen and telemarketers and we are use to it and will not take it personally. You will not hurt my feeling if you say NO, firmly.
Now some people go to great lengths to not be home when the 'salesman' comes by the next time. Or they don't open the door. The really 'nice' and honest ones have the courage to open the door and say FIRMLY "I am sorry, but I am not interested, have a nice day", and close the door and lock it. DO IT.
2007-02-12 16:20:41 · answer #2 · answered by tonks_op 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Do not bother to converse with them. They will not go away or leave you alone until you firmly tell them that you are not interested. Debating of discussing anything biblical with them is bound to be futile and nothing more than an invitation for them to keep on talking. Don't feel that you have to explain why you are not interested, don't try to have the last word in a debate, you do not owe them an explanation or a defense of what you believe, nothing more than the same courtesy you'd show anyone as you say "I'm sorry, I'm not interested. Goodbye." Just make sure that they understand that. A note on your door in the event they should attempt to call on you again might should give them the message.
2007-02-12 16:28:27 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Just say and do what You want. If you wish to not talk with them or be bothered by them.......Then Don't . Either don t answer the door and be as loud as you want, to give them a hint. Or open the door and be Strong enough to say , that you don t want anything to do with it. Unless you do.
We , I have learned, do not do things, unless we WANT to. "Easier said then done." Of course it is. Yet if we always took the easy route, more then half the world would be following people into a controlled society , instead of thinking for themselves.....wait a second, that already is happening, thats why religions and governments have got the world under its grasp tightly as they do.
Decide, NOW and keep that decision. You are Stronger then You know.
Believe Me.
2007-02-12 16:22:39 · answer #4 · answered by Aaron M 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't know that there will be any polite way of sending them on their way without "hurting their feelings", but if you're going to allow them to proselytize, then at least brush up on your apologetics. It's going to take some study, they don't walk up to your door without apologetics of their own, translating Greek and Hebrew their way when it would take you a fair amount of time and study to refute them. This "argument by fast talking" is a tactic that gets the unprepared into trouble, back-pedaling to their pastor to find out the truth, or worse, taking the JW's word for it.
You haven't indicated your own faith background, but it looks like you're already well aware that this is going to go nowhere. Every little thing they say, you're going to end up analyzing and refuting, then they'll come up with something else, and rather than debate for years, it's probably best that the JWs move on to someone that might be more gullib....er, open to their beliefs.
And if they won't leave after telling them nicely, then perhaps being a little more firm and reminding them that you've already terminated the conversation might help. Past that it's trespassing, but I doubt it would go that far.
It's good that you want to be nice about it, sometimes I wonder if being insulted and hated gets a little old for them too. Or maybe they're the martyrs, who knows. But if this pushes you toward your own church and studying the Bible your way, maybe there is some good that will come out of this.
2007-02-12 16:43:12 · answer #5 · answered by ccrider 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
At times, a question such as this will elicit dozens and dozens of elaborate schemes to spare a householder an unwanted conversation with Jehovah's Witness door-to-door ministers.
All such schemes are a complete and utter waste of time!
Many of your neighbors have figured it out, and it's really quite simple:
1. Open the door
2. Smile (optional)
3. Ask "Jehovah's Witness?"
4. Receive affirmation
5. Say, "Thank you, but I'm not interested" (or "...no longer interested")
6. Gently close the door (slamming is rude, but your prerogative)
Please recognize that Jehovah's Witnesses are not primarily interested in converts, but in working to obey Jesus' command to preach (Matt 24:14; Matt 28:19,20).
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_04.htm
http://jw-media.org/people/ministry.htm
2007-02-12 17:01:52 · answer #6 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
JW's use a publication called the Watch Tower as their ultimate authority in spiritual matters. They are taught that the Watch Tower has the only authority to interpret the scripture. The one major contention they have with fundamental Christianity is their belief that Jesus Christ was not a God man but a created angel. If you are a Christian but not versed in their theology and do not have a plan for when they come to talk, they will make your head spin and leave you frustrated. You can find good books on how to address them if you are interested. If you are non-Christian and don't prefer to engage them, simply and politely decline the discussion and close the door if you like. Don't feel like your offending them either way, you have the right to refuse peddlers.
2007-02-12 16:25:15 · answer #7 · answered by 10 Point Shoe-In 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Oh my word. Please don't try any of those lame "excuses" mentioned. We've heard them all. And I hope you don't honestly think we believe them! ;-)
We call on people who show interest because it is our duty. We also call on people to see IF they are interested because we care for our neighbors and like God, don't want any to be destroyed. But talking to someone who truly isn't interested is wasting the time of both parties. Politely say you are no longer interested. If the Witness persists with a question as to why (out of concern!), politely tell the truth. If you wish not to be called on any more, say so. We appreciate the honesty. It's refreshing!
2007-02-14 08:09:56 · answer #8 · answered by Badriya 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, put up a "no solicitation" sign on your front door. Tell them you're no longer interested. If they continue, you can call a cop at that point.
Second: Read the article on this website.
http://www.caw.org/articles/otherpeople.html
It contains a very good explanation of how god lied to his creation and the serpent told the truth (as well as explaining how there could be other gods).
Third: Explain that, by nature of A&E eating from the Tree of Knowledge, the need for a god was invalidated, because the only difference between god and man is immortality. God verified this by saying "22 And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." (Genesis 3:22).
Or you could just not open the door again.
2007-02-12 16:20:18 · answer #9 · answered by Bill K Atheist Goodfella 6 · 2⤊ 3⤋
I don't think you want to get into debate about their religion in order to stop them knocking. That may get them wanting to knock more.
I try to respect all religions, especially those I don't know much about. I had a similar problem with Jehovah's Witnesses and I found that when I opened the door enough to let my dog out (I used to try to keep the dog in), they stopped coming. Granted, I have a big scary looking bulldog (who really would never hurt a fly). But, it worked! :) And, I didn't have to debate or be rude.
2007-02-12 16:14:53 · answer #10 · answered by Brackish 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋