Non-Believers...Responding to door-to-door?

Question

How do you respond to the door-to-door evangelists?

I used to be rude or simply say "no thank you", but lately I've been going out to sit on my porch and listen. I generally only do this after I've explained that I'm an atheist and they express they still wanna talk which is what happened about 95% of the time.

I never tell them they're full of crap or anything. I generally answer questions about atheism though, especially when they have a misconception about it. Or if it's a sect I'm not familiar with I'll ask questions. This is how I learned that Mormons don't really believe in hell which I found beyond interesting.

So how about the rest of you? How many of us are polite and how many are rude?

What about the believers? When you guys get door-to-door evangelists do you sit around and visit or when they realize you're "saved" do they just go to the next house?

I once had a JW on my porch for over 2 hours. After I realized the first hour passed I wanted to see how long they'd stand there before they tried to escape me. I thought it was really funny because I saw a car pull into my driveway and a lady got out and came to the door as the car pulled away. After about 90 minutes or so the car came back and just sat there in the driveway for another hour periodically shutting off the engine (it was like 30 degrees out).

I sort of felt bad for her because she really didn't know her bible well. She had a MESS of highlighter marks and colored tabs poking out of it.

Another time I had two young Mormons and they were really polite. They said that Mormonism was the original religion. I asked how many members. I don't recall the number but it was something like 11 million. I asked them if it's the true and original religion, why would God allow such a large % of the world's population to go a different way.

Answer 1

That's incredibly nice of you to be that way. I give you 10 gold stars. I don't get door to doors anymore, not sure why. When I used to get them I would just say that I already know Jesus and it would usually end with an invitation to visit their church. When it was JW's I at one time actually met with a lady regularly but we eventually parted ways when neither of us could convince the other about why we believed how we did, or do, whatever. This is the sad part of Christianity to me. People create their own version of the Bible and then expect everyone to go for it.

Answer 2

I personally do not usually like to be bothered at my house by such things, that is my sanctum and I would say if I was sitting on my porch then sure i could see some one approaching and talking, but going door to door is nothing but a salesman selling vacuum cleaners of old.

MOST do not like the intrusion. they either have their own place to do their worshiping or practice their faith or just want to stay home and be left alone.

I am more like you IF I start talking I am not rude and try to get them to open up to other views if they wish me to as well, I make it a two way street I will listen to you of you will listen to me.

Here on Y!A you hardly can find that, but I think that is because there are too many kids acting as adults where in real person you know it is an adult. I truly think that many of the kids have fueled the problem between theists and non theists or poly theists.

So I think what you do is cool, but not every one could do it though. Open discussion is always good as long as both sides are listening and open.

Answer 3

I told the last Mormons who came to my door , that I have absolutely no superstitions. One was every indignant and said , " Neither do I ". He couldn't define superstitions . He mentioned black cats, and witches, etc . Of course that's not a definition, they're only examples . When I defined superstition as believing anything supernatural , he had no answer .
A few days ago , a black couple came to my door with a bible in their hands . I told them very politely that I had no belief in the afterlife . The girl said that she didn't either . She said that she believed we will all simply return to nature , the same as all living things . She had no explanation of why "god" should be worshipped , if there is no heaven or afterlife . I have to say that they were very pleasant people .

Answer 4

>I asked them if it's the true and original religion, why would God allow such a large % of the world's population to go a different way

Because God doesn't want people who come to Him out of force or anything. Would you want to become a Christian because you were forced to?

Answer 5

I try to be polite, and most of them just go away. But when the ones come who want to save me from my own faith, I get rude. I usually tell them I'm not interested in what they are selling. If they are persistent, I will just shut the door. I try to be nice, though.

Answer 6

I generally don't answer the door unless I'm expecting someone. I think it's rude for people to show up at my door uninvited, so if I did happen to answer the door, and it was someone trying to sell me anything, including religion, I would have no problem letting them know just how rude *they* are.

Answer 7

"I used to be rude or simply say "no thank you", "
Well, is it not more rude, for people to come bother you at home about religion?
Actually though, I can't remember the last time that an evangelist knocked on my door.

Answer 8

jehovahs witnesses have to put in a report every month to let the congregation know how many hours they have racked up in the door to door work...the person u spoke to for two hours would of been rapt and the one sitting in the car would of congratulated them...how do i know?? my parents are jws and my dad was a presiding overseer (head minister)
the way i answer the door these days is to say...i was brought up in your religion and was abused....please put my name as a do not call as i never want to speak to you again!
please note they also have a do not call list...so ask to go on it...and ask firmly if u dont want to speak to them.
in saying all that most of them do have good hearts and are good people who are just as lost as every other person trying to save thier soul by going to church....they sincerly think they can 'save your life' so not being rude is kinda fair...but they are trained in turning your objections...in fact i would say they are the best direct marketers in the world! and just like sales people they are looking to sell you their world.

Answer 9

I did something funny once but to my credit, I was VERY drunk.
I turned up in a black-metal band T-shirt, rolled my eyes and growled with this really evil voice:
My maaaasterrrr is stronger than yours.... rooooaaaarrrggghhh!!

You should see them legging it. But that was a silly thing to do, I know, but at the time it was funny. Hey, I was a student and I was drunk, LOL.

Answer 10

I do the same.. If i'm in the mood.. I'll talk to them ..
if not .. i just wont answer the door.

The same people usually dont come around again after they know i'm an atheist .. heh