What is a good way to say NO to Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons when they knock on my door?

Question

I don't want to be pushy, rude, or cold. I don't want to wreck anyone's day or kill the goodwill vibe. I am just not in favor of these philosophies, but if I am nice about it, they keep pushing and pushing until I have to be rude to shut them down. Any suggestions?

Answer 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"
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.co.uk/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_04.htm
http://jw-media.org/people/ministry.htm

Answer 2

This is incredibly easy. I'm guessing you live in America or some other part of the free world, or you wouldn't have them coming to your door.

The great thing about being free is that you can worship or believe as you see fit. That includes going to others and sharing your beliefs. That includes telling these missionaries "I'm sincerely not interested."

Here is what I do. I listen to the first part of the message at the door step. I do not invite them in. When they ask me a question (which they must always do) I say "I'm sorry, but I am really not interested. But I really appreciate you coming by."

Usually they leave at this point. On occaision you might have someone more pushy and you have to repeat the above one more time. I've never had the second time not work.

*If* the second time does not work, then the person you are talking to is no longer being polite. You may freely shut the door on them at this point without fear of being mean or rude. I've never had it come to this before, so I don't believe you will either.

As an alternative, consider inviting them in. I've never done this personally, but heck, why not hear them out for your own profit and learning of another religion. Nothing wrong with that either. And lets face it, Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are two of the religions that people today are most prejudice against and intolerant towards. Learning more about them to over come your personal prejudices is really an advisable thing. You can always nicely ask them to not come back because you're no longer interested. Believe me, they have no way of hypnotizing you and forcing you to convert. No really, they don't. You will be complete under your own control. You will be in charge. Nothing will change that.

Answer 3

Thank you but I don't have the time should help. From personal experience, I found the Mormons to be far more understanding than the Jehovah's Witnesses. This may just because of the ones who've knocked on my door. It seems the Mormons accept a "No thank you" easier than the Jehovah's Witnesses. For the Witnesses want seemed to work the best was saying yes to their questions about going to church and reading scripture. They would have taken longer if I explained which church I go to and why I go through the Bible. Side note: I'm still trying to figure out if they chose not to see or just didn't notice my very pagan tattoo and pentacle ring.

Answer 4

The best way to learn what to do to stop JWs is to contact a synagogue and talk to the Rabbi.

Ask him how the ancient Jews got rid of the Christian Jews when they went from house to house telling their brethren that the beliefs, rituals, and holiday observances that they have followed for hundreds of years was no longer valid?

I’m sure they had ways to get rid of the Jews, who from their point of view, was a cult started by a Uneducated, Jewish Lower Class Carpenter, who was executed for cause by the governing authority. The only education he got was from his low class parents, Mary and Joseph. These followers were also uneducated Jewish lower class individuals, such as Peter, a failed fisherman, and Matthew, a hated tax collector.

Lacking any kind of education, let alone advance religious education, it was clear they were easily brainwashed into believing that the uneducated ex-carpenter was somehow the Messiah, which was clearly false as it was commonly known that when the Messiah came, he would destroy (Armageddon) the enemies of the true people of God, as foretold.

Saul of Tarsus, a highly educated individual in the religious arts, repeatedly proved they were a false religious sect and cult, creating their own scriptures (Bible) instead of relying on the Holy Torah, which had been used by the Jews for hundreds of years. Saul often stood by as the true believers of God stoned these so-called Christians for their door to door activities and spreading of false doctrine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saul_of_Tarsus

Now, I would not recommend stoning, but they may have had other methods that worked to stop the house to house work and the spreading of false doctrine . What worked for them against the Christian cult may work against the JWs. At least you will be in good company in doing so.

Or

Just call the Kingdom Hall and ask that your address be put on the back of territory card listing of no call addresses. At this point, they check back only every six months.

Of course, you already knew that, you just wanted to collect a bunch of anti-JW comments from people, like the sexual deviants who say to answer the door naked. I don't know about Canada, but in the U.S., if a neighbor's child were to see that, you would be looking at a sex offense change, with automatic registry, whether found guilty or not.

Answer 5

Don't they go away when you say "No, thank you." and shut the door? I mean, that's polite and final. If you hang around there after saying "no" with the door open and wait for them to come up with another line, you're basically inviting them to do so. Just say "no", wish them a good day if you want to, and close the door. If after that they keep pestering you or won't go away, call the police, but don't go back to the door.

Answer 6

Well, I live on the fourth floor, and that discourages most of them. The Jehovah's Witnesses came to the door, I invited them in to chat. Every time they quoted from the Bible, I countered with something else from the Bible.

When they realized I knew the Bible better than they did (and the historical context it was written in) they left, and didn't come back. I'm just sorry I missed the Mormons. I had a lot of questions for them.

Answer 7

You must remember that they're not interested in dialogue. They are doing their "preaching" duties, patting themselves on the back as martyrs when you slam the door in their face. They use apologetics that include logical fallacies that you may or may not catch. They quote the Bible out of context and play with Greek words to fast talk you into believing their point of view. You would be allowing all of the above by opening your door to them, so unless you're ready for extensive apologetics and basically a waste of your time on the defensive, it's your home and your door.

Answer 8

Just say "thank you for taking time to stop by but I'm not interested" and close the door. Don't give them time to say anything more.

I use the same technique on telemarketers. Tell them I'm not interested and hang up the phone before they can let me know that what they are trying to sell me is the best thing since sliced bread.

Answer 9

It is very simple, say "No, Thanks". It is amazing, they get it and go away.
I live across the street from some JH's. They always work very hard in my neighborhood. Most know not to come to my door, except the black ones from outside the neighborhood. The ones across the street are white and know very well I don't want to hear.
I own a laundromat and small commercial laundry service. Sometimes I see them in my shop, again, very simple "Please Stop" works. The key is to keep it simple and be polite. That's all.

Answer 10

Your impulse toward courtesy is commendable...we could all do with a bit more polite respect, no? Unfortunately, it works both ways. The evangelists are invading your privacy and not being subtle about it either, are they?

The best thing to do is say, "No, thank you. I'm not interested." Just as you would say it to a salesman at your door. The evangelists are trained to accept rejection politely. They won't abuse you.