Proselytizing

I had a Jehovah's Witness come by a while a back.

A little old lady, I couldn't help be super nice.

Then I closed the door and continued a documentary on dwindling fresh water supplies.

 

Freeware: "Unless, of course, it is the same fear that makes it ok to shoot strangers on one's own property. But then it's mainly an American thing and not European as Archer0915 would have us believe."

Sorry, Freeware, but your obvious hostility is rooted in fear. Your life seems to be guided by fear. I've never felt the urge to shoot a stranger on my property or anyone else's and I've never even heard of that. Recognizing danger and risk is real. Fear is imaginary.

Perhaps some day, Freeware, you will conquer fear. Probably not but perhaps.

 

Neutral: "If atheism could see the world, or even this issue out side the purview of their own door (that self again), they would be able to acknowledge why some people go door to door religion. Some people need it, and respond to it. There within missionary circles, amazing stories of conversion and simple compassion that do not leas to conversion but are powerful statements on the power of someone caring enough to knock on a strangers door."

Obviously, some people need it. Not to have someone at the door perstering them, of course, but to go around and pester people. It's a very real need they have but it's irritating.

If people ask to have church members come see them, that's not the same thing. If a wife wants them to come harrass her husband that a totally different issue. No, it's the strolling door to door and gladly taking abuse that I find strange and, as a recipient, irritating.

Almost always, when they have shown up at my door, it's been two. Usually one very dominant and one subordinate. I've never had three and I don't remember having one. The people wanting to disturb me by themselves are usually on a political rather than a religious mission. But, one is no more welcome than the other.

 

What?! It appears you're entirely ignoring the context. Please go back and read Archer0915's post that I initially responded to.

 

Yeah I never said shoot either though I would not rule it out is cases that were extreme. You are taking a mindset and confusing it with fear. I did say fear and not the hiding in the corner type of fear. It is the rear of losing your spiritual autonomy.

Dictionary dot com: a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid. Synonyms: foreboding, apprehension, consternation, dismay, dread, terror, fright, panic, horror, trepidation, qualm. Antonyms: courage, security, calm, intrepidity.

Fear means many things. I am afraid to look at my power bill at times. This does not mean I am shaking in my boots.

I fear the United States is headed down the wrong road. I ain't scared and huddled in the corner.

Well the fear of some of the original settlers was real and it has evolved in some Americans into an apprehension (fear) when they see a Bible coming to their door. Europeans are different. They evolved out of the society Americans left (and brought with them). Is it so hard for you to grasp?

 

Until someone knocks they have no idea what your intent is reference a friendly knock and introduction. You can simply say, "no thanks."

This is not hard.

If instead you wish to blest to the world your incredible suffering, don't expect much sympathy. Most people understand that there are ways to deter or significantly reduce these disruptions, and correctly view the complaints about this practice as simple complaining for complaints sake.

Worse, this problem only appears to bother you when a religious person does it. A lost delivery boy should be treated with patience and respect, even aided. A missionary, as some of your peers have indicated, should be mocked and screamed at?

Such behavior is not the missionaries fault. I for one have as much sympathy and empathy for enraged atheists as I do for road racers and serial whiners. Its going to happen, either deal with it like a compassionate human being or place measures in your housevthat reduce the instances of unwanted knocking.

After all, I for one find shinning about easily over come obstacles far more annoying then someone knocking on my door.

BTW - the reason missionaries travel in pairs, especially females, is because there are criminals out there. Missionaries have been raped and assaulted, and travelling with a battle buddy significantly reduces instances of violence. Same reason we tell Soldiers to have a battle buddy.

Please notice how you only viewed it from how it effects you.

 

Some would say -- including me -- that it's the other way 'round my friend. Would you mind explaining exactly what you mean by this?

Calling Trinnity a liberal? Really?

But aren't the local charities and food banks often associated with religious organizations?

 

I will rule it out. So there ya go.

Archer0915, you were the one saying that "we" have fear of strangers knocking on our doors because some churches in Europe once killed people for not confessing to their religions. I simply called you on that and pointed out that if such a fear exists then it seems to only be Americans that have it. Because if what you said is correct then Europeans would have the same fear of 'being dragged out our homes and either convert or be executed' (slightly paraphrased quote). But we don't. That's all I'm saying.

 

No the American experience can not be compared to the European experience.

The fear was there and many left Europe because of it. That fear is still with many Americans in the form of apprehension.

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h3787.html

Believe differently and speak out and burn as well. I mean the Salem which trials?

Also you missed the last line: Europeans are different. They evolved out of the society Americans left (and brought with them). Is it so hard for you to grasp?

 

I'm sorry, Neutral. I missed the part about someone "stopping" to share something with me. I was referring people who go out of their way to knock on my door and disturb me. I was referring to people who were certain their message was so important that the fact that many if not most didn't seem to appreciate it didn't faze them in the least. I am referring to people who seem to take pleasure in inflicting themselves on other people.

Oh, hes, how selfish it is to wish to be left alone to read or ponder. Sometimes I'm so selfish I don't want to listen to the neighbors lovely rap music, either. I know. Incredibily selfish.

Oh, I do strike up conversations in public. When I'm eating alone in a restaurant I will often close my book and invite another solitary diner to join me and often they do. But, unlike some, I don't knock on peoples door and say, "I want to talk to you." I find that, well, rather bizarre. Out in public is different for me. So, feel free to talk to me in the park, in line at the grocery, as I wait to enter an art exhibit, wherever you want except in my home.

And, Neutral, I never expected the insufferably self-centered and selfish people to stop knocking on my door. You apparently didn't bother to read the oP where I asked if these selfish people irriated Christians. Apparently, some chrisitians are irritated. You're not. And, I realize, you think I should welcome intrusion into my home by you and your friends. Sorry, no matter how much you hope for that, it won't happen.

I'm sorry, Neutral, but nothing will change these people and I don't have to adapt to them. You will have to learn to accpt people who wish to be left alone even if they offend you.

I will repeat, it's never the normal, mainstream churches that come knocking on the door. No, it's only certain churches and cults and everyone seems to know who they are.

 

How selfish is it to door knock because you want to get into heaven and annoying me is the cost?

 

Well, I am glad you are coming around to my position, you cannot change these people. Ergo, as I have said, you will have to find a method of dealing with them. You an simply say, "no thanks," or you can find a method that reduces their interruptions.

Believe it or not, most missionaries do not want to waste their time on someone with a closed mind to their faith. They seek converts, not conflict.

Anything you can do to make it clear that you are not a potential convert with move them away.

When Jehovah's Witnesses come to my door, I inform the of my faith choice, and the most invasive thing they have ever done is ask to quote scripture about interfaith strength and pray with me. Obviously, that would be awkward for an atheist, but I have never seen an JW offer it.

Most are fine upstanding people looking to serve their fellow man, and the challenge when any knock is to see if their is an oppprunity for service, and to take a good hard look at how you treat a perfect stranger. You may be surprised by what you see.

But then, if you are Christian you understand exactly why God has people knock on your door.

 

Yes, we understand perfectly that four year old cannot handle disruptions from other people and are unable to fathom the existence of other people and he inevitable interactions this creates.

Most people treat the whinning that arises from such inevitable encounters exactly for what it is.

If this is the worst thing in your life? You live a sheltered life.

 

I don't like it either.

I've also actually had people, at a nice restaurant - lean over and start the "have you heard the good news..." bull! I was really-really annoyed!

When I was 12 I was told I was going to Hell, and going to burn forever, - by a weirdo marching up and down the street with a "The end is near" sign!

I actually think door-to-door, and sidewalk proselytizing, should be banned.

 

I would suggest - for the apartment home - a sign on the door saying - No SOLICITING - INCLUDING PROSELYTIZING!

Or if you own a house - a sign at the end of the walk or driveway

NO SOLICITING
-- including --
PROSELYTIZING
-------------------
- And don't you -
----- DARE -----
- let YOUR DOG -
----- POOP -----
-- on MY lawn!!! --

 

Where do you draw the line, though? There's often a very thin line between, say, political and religious agitation.

Personally, I'm not annoyed by it at all. Last time I was asked if I knew the road to hell, I kindly gave them directions, "You see the next traffic light? Turn left there and then left again two blocks down". They didn't seem to care much, though.

But of course, religious solicitation is quite a rare thing around here. At most, we have the Jehovahs standing at train stations handing out their watch tower pamphlets. It always gives me an opportunity to ponder the human mind on my way to work. And that's never a boring thing to wonder about.

 

Some people asked a friend of mine, - and his answer-

"Have you found Jesus?"
"Oh my God! I didn't know he was missing! Have you called the police?"

 

Hehe, I'll try to remember that one

 

Freewear, tell them that if they want to 'find Jesus' to just look at your country's (Denmark's) flag........ahhhh, this never gets old!!!

 

When you say flag, you mean milk cartons, right?

 

Works good there too, since 'lost ppl's faces' are put on milk cartons, and the whole nation of Denmark is lost and are self-estranged apostates from their Christian heritage...

 

Eostre, Odin, Frigg, Yahweh, who's counting.

 

That whole Scandinavian area (see flags of Denmark, Norway, Finland, & Sweden below) of apostates (BTW havnt seen one with an Odin national flag!) have even bastardized the Germanic language to make their own---that whole former Christian based area is nothing more than watered-down Europe's 'former' greatness!

I do like Danish pastries, tho...

 

Well those are two separate issues. The Constitution guarantees citizens the right to freely express themselves on public property. So if they're on a sidewalk, then there's no issue there -- taken to the extreme we get the Westboro Baptist Church, but I still think it's protected speech. What we are talking about here is when they cross onto private property. Many cities require a permit for canvassing, for example, and the rules are very explicit about time, manner, and place. I don't have a problem with that. But if I have a NO SOLICITING sign on my door, I expect people to have the common decency to respect my wishes not to be bothered -- by anyone that I do not expressly or intently invite onto my property.

 

A friend of mine has a sign on her door:

"If you are here to ask for money or to tell me about Jesus, please do not knock on my door." Maybe some people just don't know the meaning NO SOLICITING. Her sign seems to work.