They came to the door and I foolishly didn't check to see who it was before opening. Instantly the testifying began; I have a hard time being rude to someone's face, and kept trying to squeeze a word in when these two ladies noticed my accent--and the whole of the conversation changed.
The Lord, and all of the wondrous things he could do for me was forgotten. Instead, these two middle-aged ladies thought the way I talked was "cute" and kept asking me to talk for them. I was embarrassed and also a little annoyed---if they were sincerely trying to share their belief, that's one thing(despite my disinterest), but to be so patronizing to me and treat me like an entertainment for them is something else entirely.
I was rescued by the dogs, who came barking to the door, allowing me to use them as an excuse to disengage, but by this time, I had already spent close to 20 minutes trying to get rid of them. What is a polite way to respond to such people and still respect their beliefs?
2007-09-05 06:27:28 · 50 answers · asked by Jack B, sinistral 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To Wow: I'm Australian, living in the States.
2007-09-05 06:41:40 · update #1
Dr. Sarcasm: Ugh! If you saw the two of them, you'd be cringing at the thought!
2007-09-05 06:44:07 · update #2
Bobby, shame on you, lol!
2007-09-05 07:03:43 · update #3
Just for Gorgeoustxtemptress: "Garage"
2007-09-05 07:04:48 · update #4
That would be right, Jack. Next time before you answer the door... at least put a bathrobe on or sommat.
So your accent is "cute" is it. I hate cute... trouble is my accent is almost same as yours, only more Dubbo... you know what I am sayin' don' char... bless ya cotton sox.
And this is your subtle way of asking whether anyone else sools the blue healer onto them is it? Well, it is a pretty common remedy down here, so it is good to see that despite your absense from home soil for many years, that you have not lost contact with your cultural heritage.
2007-09-05 13:52:05 · answer #1 · answered by Icy Gazpacho 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I would be embarassed and a little annoyed if someone did that to me too with the whole accent thing. That wasn't very polite. They may not have thought they were being patronizing though.
I'm glad to hear that you are wanting to be respectful, even when others aren't being. Just tell them you're not interested. If they insist, say it again and just go to close the door. If they continue to push, explain to them that you're trying to be polite by telling them nicely that you're not interested and finish the close of the door. No one should push because all that does is push people away in the end (in most if not all cases, not just Christianity).
I'm a Christian, and if someone told me they aren't interested in what I have to say, I might offer a tract or something, and if they refused it I'd respectfully bow out and drop the subject or leave (if I had gone to their door). I'm not a very confrontational person, so that's probably why, but that's how it should be. Us as Christians are called to tell everyone the Good News, the Gospel. If someone doesn't want to talk about it, that's their decision, and whomever it is that is sharing should not push. :)
2007-09-05 06:56:13 · answer #2 · answered by Thomas The Servant 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Honestly - you could take more of an interest.
Nothing is learned or taught by closing a door.
I am a Buddhist myself (we don't preach) but I really hope to have these kind of incidents one day. Right now, I live in a gated community and they have yet to find a way to reach me.
I can be an excellent student who asks many difficult questions. I'm sure they will enjoy enlightening me.
I hope to hear very compelling arguments as to what being a Jehovah's Witness or a Mormon can do for a gay man that Buddhism can't...
I really need some good convincing.
Perhaps they can look over my stacks of research with me and point out something that I might have missed.
Maybe there was a crucial issue of "The Watchtower" that I failed to give proper attention to.
2007-09-05 07:34:40 · answer #3 · answered by rabble rouser 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I was raised to Jehovah's Witness parents, and so the non-celebrating of Christmas is what I grew up with and is the same thing I continue to this day long after I've left the house and got married. Honestly, being a Jehovah's Witness in school around the time of the holidays was never difficult for me. I knew it was wrong to celebrate them, and I never really had that strong a desire to try it anyway. I always thought it was stupid that these kids had to wait until one or two particular times of the year in order to have their parents get them a gift (birthday and Christmas), when my parents would do it whenever they felt like (all year round). I wouldn't say I feel self-righteous about it at all. My stand is to have no part in false religious holidays and traditions.....but I don't go around yelling about how wrong it is to people who choose to celebrate it. It's their right to choose to do what they want. Basically it's never been a big deal to me. What I've enjoyed most is the day off of school and/or the day off of work that comes with it. (EDIT) - Some of the comments about others celebrating it in secret is nothing but the lying slander of apostates and those in the anti-JW cult. They're full of garbage and their comments only are part of their pathetic smear compaign.
2016-05-17 09:44:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I say is, "Oh no thank you, I already have my own beliefs." Then I close the door, walk away, turn my back, and continue what I was doing. Of course, I don't anwser the door unless it's someone I know anyway, so it doesn't happen much at my front door. It has happened with Mormon missionaries and Jehovah's Witnesses in my carport. I did actually tell these two young Mormon guys once that I could never in good conscious support a church which promoted homophobia. It didn't stop them. One proceeded to tell me his brother was gay.
2007-09-05 12:12:42 · answer #5 · answered by Michael B - Prop. 8 Repealed! 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on their tone. If they were Christians, they had likely just taken some class--where someone had guilted them into going out ("It's your fault if these people go to hell"), or it's possible that they are just the gung-ho type. In your position, I probably would have just said something like this, "I appreciate the value you place on your beliefs, and while I am not trying to argue with you, I am simply not interested. Good bye"
Firm but pleasant is the way to go. Since you said you wanted a polite way to respond. They should be willing to respect that. If they aren't than don't feel the need to be exceptionally polite.
2007-09-05 06:43:22 · answer #6 · answered by Todd 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think it's funny that people still think "Mormons" aren't Christians.. Anyways, next time just say you're not interested and close the door. They're probably used to it anyway :)
2015-01-18 20:05:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You were very polite but some people are just plain rude.
Some people witness because they genuinely want to see people come to Christ and care for the person others who witness sometimes do it for their own self righteous reasoning's like leading some one to the Lord I earned my points with God I have done my good deed for the day.
NEVER let anyone deceive you it is the Holy Spirit that leads people to Jesus Christ and the testimony of What Jesus has done and Gods goodness also we are just the vessels or the tools that God uses to present the plan of salvation.
My husband and I have witnessed a lot but with love and kind ness and gentleness and Godly humility which is that God is in control we aren't.
The polite way to respond it to say excuse me and raise your hand and said I am NOT interested but I pray God blesses you please leave. I am sorry you had an unpleasant experience. Know that God does NOT operate this way.
Be encouraged e4g
2007-09-05 13:59:48 · answer #8 · answered by encourager4God 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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
2007-09-05 07:25:28 · answer #9 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Think of it like this. These people go out door to door every day. How often do you think people just say "no thank you" and close the door. It must happen so often that it doesn't bother them, they have been doing it so long that they are expecting you to say no. When I feel guilty about turning away a salesperson or something similar, I just think they probably get that all the time and one more wont hurt.
If that isn't good enough, think about how you are waisting they're time by letting them talk, when you know you're not interested. Either that or train the dogs to bark more often at guests. =)
2007-09-05 06:37:31 · answer #10 · answered by John M 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋