even after I've told them I have no interest in speaking with them. Could his actions be considered a form of harrassment? I'm getting to the point where I either have to call the police about it or get very snotty and confrontational with him. What do you believe law enforcement would do if I complained?
2007-08-29 07:48:31 · 42 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They would charge them with trespassing if you have told them clearly not to come back.
I just run them off with a gun. That works real well here in Texas where you can shoot trespassers. Heck I can shoot them trespassing on my neighbors property. It only takes once and they don't come back.
I guess the Army taught me that it is OK to be confrontational. It usually is the quickest and most effective way.
2007-08-29 07:54:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
I hate that some "evangelists" do this...it does not reflect well on the rest of Christianity.
I don't know what law enforcement would do, to tell you the truth about it...I've never met with a situation as you describe.
Maybe you could put up a sign, "No Soliciting". Explain to your evangelist that you are running out of patience. If he continues, he would be breaking the law. Then, you could call the police, and they MIGHT give him a warning.
Personally, I don't like the idea of being snotty or confrontational. Not only is it in very bad taste, it probably won't do any good anyhow. I'm sure most door to door evangelists have heard and seen it all...people answering the door naked, nasty remarks, the whole gamut. It's one of the things they are taught to expect, and it goes along with the whole "the world will hate you" thing. All you do when you do that is encourage them. They will go back to their "mentor", who will pray with them for you...and they'll be back, possibly with a couple more in tow.
2007-08-29 08:05:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If the person is coming over and over after being told not to then that is harrassment. Call the police. Call a lawyer. Get a restraining order against the guy.
2007-08-29 07:53:31 · answer #3 · answered by A.Mercer 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You could put up a "no soliciting" sign. You could repaint the door, change the shrubbery or disguise your house number. I'd suggest a small "No Trespassing" sign right next to the doorbell, and keeping a shotgun in plain view of the open doorway. (Time and preparation permitting, you could also take the opportunity to share YOUR wacky "faith" whenever the pest took a breath.)
Police response would depend on the population density and sociological makeup of your town. If you're in the Bible belt, it'll only work if it's one of THOSE "Christians". If it's high-crime, you're low priority. If your district votes Democratic or Green, you may have a chance of getting him cited.
2007-08-29 08:03:56 · answer #4 · answered by skepsis 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
GANDALF Sweetie, I do believe you might have an admirer...No really, I had the same problem once...and there comes the time when they DO NOT understand what you are saying...I took the information and there was a phone No. on the back...I called that Number, and told the person who answered, the next time they came to my house I would call the police...
I gave them my address, and I have never heard from the since...hope this helps.!!!
2007-08-29 07:58:02 · answer #5 · answered by Kerilyn 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I doubt an evangelical would waste time harrassing some one who clearly will not listen.
Maybe you have mis-judged the person.
Is this "evangelical" really a member of a cult like Jehovah's Witnesses, who are known to be agressive recruiters sometimes?
Is this "evangelical", and you, compatable singles, of about the same age?
Is this "evangelical" a relative of yours, who wants to stay in touch, but you want to get lost?!?
Is this "evangelical" up to no good, casing the place for a future robbery?
If this "evangelical" won't leave you alone, speak to the minister of the offending church, and say "you are doing more harm than good by persisting"...or even call the police.
No "evangelical" wants to bang their head against the wall.
I tried "too hard" to get my kid brother to accept Christ, before he died this summer of cancer, spitting up blood worse day-by-day.
I hope I'll see him again, but I don't know that he ever accepted salvation. God gave us FREE WILL. He does not drag people to heaven "kicking and screaming"!
I went too far, because I was afraid for my brother, not because I was a relentless "evangelical".
Evangelicals are just people, like you and me. Don't charge God foolishly for our mistakes in judgement. It is not His fault.
2007-08-29 15:57:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Explain that you appreciate the reason for his visits but that you are not interested and expect he will stop coming by. Put a No Solicitors sign on your door and when you see him again at the door, simply don't answer. He'll get the message. If he is persistent, tell him through the door that you've had this conversation with him and that he must leave or you will call the police to have him escorted away. Please do not be nasty with him, he's doing what he thinks he is supposed to do to be saved. Be nice but firm.
2007-08-29 07:56:56 · answer #7 · answered by Lady G 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you have instructed him explicitly that he is not welcome at your home or on your property, his continued presence is both harassment and trespass.
If you report it to the police, they would do very little... the first time. However, they WOULD file a report and document that you have instructed this person to leave you alone. Then, if it happens AGAIN, you have substantial evidence to press charges or gain a restraining order.
Of course, it would probably be simpler to just get rude with them. If they become confrontational, well, it IS your place. You have the right to get physical if you feel that you are in danger, and a few well-placed bruises carry messages that a thousand niceities cannot.
2007-08-29 07:59:01 · answer #8 · answered by marbledog 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I am a christian - a follower of Christ and I don't enjoy people coming to my door either if they are not bringing the truth!
Yes, it could be a form of harrassment because they are in your property and they maybe trying to force their beliefs on to you.
I am not sure what the police would do. You could ask them politely to leave. Just tell them that you have your own beliefs and close the door gently. You don't have to abuse them to get your point across. Just be assertive.
Say, "no thanks" and close the door and walk away.
If you are interested in what they say, listen to them, if your not, just say "no".
You have your own choice!
If they don't go away or harrass you, maybe call the police - let them know too.
2007-08-29 08:00:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
CAVEAT: I'm a Jesus Freak.
But I'm an ordinary guy as well. Yeah, this is harrassment. Put yourself a nice big "No Solicitors" sign on the door. If he comes anyway, I'd get snarky first, then call the cops if he comes back. A good test of a man's faith is if he's willing to go to jail for his beliefs.
2007-08-29 07:55:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
i had a friend who was having problems with some baptists down the street from her. i guess they felt it was their mission to save her since they lived on the same street.
she put a rather large pentagram in her front window, and for some reason this seemed to keep them away. lol
i think it would depend a lot on the individual officer how they would react. most of them wouldn't take this too seriously.
the next time he knocks on your door you could try telling him that you were just starting a cleansing ritual and ask him if he would like to join you.
or just be very up front and tell them to stop knocking on your door.
good luck.
2007-08-29 08:23:59 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋