Why is it socially acceptable for Christians to peddle their religious beliefs door to door?

Question

Christians knock on my door on a weekly basis trying to give me pamphlets, come into my home and "talk", and to also ask me ridiculous questions such as "Do you believe there are evil forces in the world?" I find this to be highly offensive and rude! I am a die hard Athiest , and if I were to go to their home's knock on their door and preach that I feel that their belief structure is not only inhibiting but also laughable...well I might be arrested for harrasment. It is clear to me that the only way to stop this is a " No Religious Solicitation" sign on the front door. What is your opinion on the matter?

In response to "TomTom" true satanists are Athiests and only refer to Satan as a symbol. There is no spirituality involved at any level.

A few statements:

1. I live in a suburban area in Texas.

2. Yes, many of the people that do this are JW and Mormans...however there are also Christians who do this trying to recruit new church members.

3. My only response to them is that of " I am not spiritual at any level." I do not egg them on..or display any rude behavior.

4. EVALUATE ALL FACTS BEFORE JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS.

Thank you... ; )

Answer 1

Socialy acceptable to knock on other people's doors? Probably not. But if a person "peddling" truly has a compassion for lost souls and wants to
be pleasing to God, whom she or he serves, I'd hope that these "peddlers" with their "religious beliefs" would be of the
same mind of Christ, who, like Jesus's disciples were told:

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:18-20). This was the beginning of the Christian church. The disples had to GO OUT (just like the "peddlers" do. Likewise as Christians, our obligation is to do this as well--providing the "peddler" or "evangelist (someone who shares the bible with others) is actually teaching what the bible teaches. Jehovah's witnesses and LDS don't.

Although it may be a nusance to be bothered by a door to door evangelist, they are simply obeying "the Great Commission to win souls (Matthew 28:18-20. Peter did it on the Day of Pentacost (Acts 2). He preached Jesus, and baptised 3000 Jews , and they were "added to the kingdom 3000 that day".

In the end, why would someone be against hearing about the gospel? Jesus making your life better by living for Him? You'll end up with a blessed life (not a perfect one, though), and then spend eternity with God? Who wouldn't why you want to hear about that?

My opinion is, a person who doesn't want to hear about how about this good news is probably too caught up in their own sin, and that the bible, Jesus, etc. confronts them of the of their current state of sin and separation from God. This can be discomforting, especially from someone you don't know at your front door step.

Then again, dying in your sin without Jesus---the alternative is far worse.

Answer 2

Aww, so cute when she's being annoyed.

From the looks of it, she could only be talking about JWs or LDS (and the latter is a lot less likely than the former).

Hey, if you live in the US, get used to the religious freedoms that our founding fathers fought for (the same ones that allow you to be a 'practicing atheist').
Excuse us for believing that we should spread the word about Christianity. Actually, if all professed Christians followed Jesus words more closely, you'd always have some1 knocking on your door trying to peddle their religious beliefs.
I guess you should really be mad at the other 'Christians' for slacking.


And tomtom's got a good point: If you're really an atheist (meaning you don't believe in God), why would you identify yourself as Satanique, which categorizes you with "God"'s chief enemy Satan???
Contradiction in the works???

Answer 3

I dont know any Christians who do this.....your sign seems to be an acceptable solution. My opinion would be that one of them got a rise out of you, a reaction or at least engaged you in some sort of conversation and now believes there is hope of "reaching" you..... in any event. I have been in my current home nearly 20 years.....I was visited once. I made it politely clear that I found that intrusive and rather scarey since I had small kids at the time and live in a rural neighborhood----and no one not one has been back since. So why is it they like you so much?

Answer 4

Most Christians don't do this. Mainly the Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons. And it is not socially acceptable. In fact, I believe they had to go to one of the high courts to obtain the right.

It is a very opinionated statement that Jehovah's Witnesses aren't Christians. Usually it is made by Catholics and Protestants. I do believe that the Witnesses are the closest thing to a cult in Christianity. But to me, they are all Christians. Even some Protestants don't think Catholics are Christians.

Answer 5

Ok Die Hard Atheist... they are not Christians but they are Jehovah's Witnesses. Everyone believes in something and they believe in spreading their word. Every religion has their limits until it becomes ridiculous and odd. No other religion goes door to door giving away info other than the Jehovah Witnesses. If they tend to bother you so much, then maybe you should get a polite sign for your door... You can do what Rodney Dangerfield's father did... dress like Satan and freak them out LMAO! <- That was from his bio book.

Answer 6

If you don't want to hear it, post a sign telling them to obey Jesus:
Luk 9:5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

Edit it a bit for clarity. I myself have been a door knocker, but anytime someone does not want to hear it, I immediately leave and won't go back without an invitation. Jesus does not need divinely appointed nags, so tell them they are being disobedient, and post a sign to the same.

I am saddened that you don't want to hear the gospel; nevertheless, I must respect your wish.

Answer 7

I am a Christian... but I actually agree with you for the most part. I find it generally rude of ANYBODY selling ANYTHING to come to my door if they are not a girl scout or something. Even then, I don't buy stuff at my door. I find it a violation of my right to privacy, and I don't trust people going door-to-door. That said, I just tell them I am not interested. It is not that big of a deal. I've turned away religious people. I've turned away salesmen. Sometimes they come back, and I turn them away again. It hasn't killed me yet... but I admit I don't like having to do it over and over again.

That said, pretty much anybody has a legal right to approach your door. You are equally in your rights to ask them to leave and never come back. The fact is that if they continue to come, you probably could have them arrested for harrassment just as easily as they could you. There is no law that makes selling Christianity right and selling atheism wrong. It just seems that way because there are so many of us Christians that make a fuss about such things. It ultimately does not matter, though, because the truth is that the police likely wouldn't do anything about it regardless of who it was. They should have higher priorities.

Either way, it is either ok or not ok for someone to come to your door selling something, and it ultimately does not even matter if you think their beliefs are laughable. If you think that door-to-door salesmanship is wrong, however, then your complaint is valid. And I agree with you, even if it IS Christians doing it.

Answer 8

Where do you propose we "peddle" our beliefs? We've tried the mall, but kids keep dropping ice on us from the upper levels. We've tried leaving pamphlets on your car in the mega-store parking lots, but we get fined for littering. We aren't judging you - We simply see you as our neighbor, and pray that you 'find' God before you pass from this life. This is our mandate from Jesus Christ - "Go Ye......Preaching." In order to show the love of Christ, we must persue you as a potential follower. Now, if you choose to put a "No Religious Solicitation" sign on your door, I personally would honor it and not knock.

I wish you well -

Answer 9

Do you have any Idea how those people are treated on a regualr basis? They are harassed daily for their chosen path. I don't beleiev it is any more acceptable than an Atheist doing the same. i have never seen an atheist try. Chrisitians have along history of being abused, especially mormons, (which are the most common door to door knockers). I don't agree with trying to convert others but I certianly don't think it disrepectful of them, to try. if you are so ofeended perhaps you should go door to door trying to convince people there is no god. You can't be arrested as long as you are respectful and courteous.

Answer 10

I really don't think it is socially acceptable anymore. I'm agnostic, and not denying there *may* be a greater power, but I still find it very irritating when people impose their religious beliefs on me...most of all on my private doorstep. A general "no solicitation" sign will help. Mine says "Unless you are a local school child selling me chocolate, please no solicitations of any kind". Protestants, Catholics and other denominations of Christianity have never come a-knocking. They will try to save my soul if I am in contact with them outside my home. For the most part, it's JW and Mormons...who have gotten sneaky and are starting to bring small children with them so you feel bad when you have to be rude in getting them off your property.

I will also add that most have been very respectful and courteous...but yes, also annoying because they are persistant. A former mormon friend of mine explained that they are not so much concerned about saving your soul, as becoming one of the 100,000 to enter the upper level of the kingdom of heaven. Pretty stiff odds, I'd say.