One example of why there's more need for a freedom from religion act

[Liberalynn]

than there is a freedom for religion bill. A Mormon or Jehovah, I didn't take the time to ask which just came to the door waving one of his pamphlets in my face. I politely said I'm not interested, yet he continued to speak. I slammed the door in his face, and I could see as I did the offended look in his eye.

If I'd wanted to engage in further conversation with him, I would have said look here buddy, you're not a family member, a friend, or a stranger that needs assistance. You're a salesman. I didn't invite you here, I don't want you here,it's my house, my time, my choice not to be interested in what your peddling.

I'm a former Catholic grade school attendee, I got all the education in the ups and downs of organized religion that I will ever need and most probably I will ever want. I don't really care that your branch has a slightly different spin, still not buying.

Look I'm an agnostic still exploring my own thoughts about spirituality, but I don't go and knock on astranger's door trying to sell them my reasons for doubt, why do they feel they have a "right" to try and convert me?

He can go to his place of worship, believe whatever he wants to, I just expect the same courtesy in leaving me to mine.

Not an April Fool's joke, really did just happen.

[safeinOhio]

1. You'll love this

[Liberalynn]

4. I do love it!

[MineralMan]

2. I have a "No Solicitors" sign at my front door.

When the religious proselytizers knock, I just point at the sign. If they argue that they aren't selling anything, I just point at the sign again, silently, and then close the door gently. They seem to figure it out.

I actually put it up due to the almost constant stream of window and siding salespeople who come into our 1950s neighborhood.

[Arugula Latte]

3. I used to have a "Please No Soliciting" sign, but the religious salespeople kept coming ...

so now it reads: "Please No Soliciting Nor Religious Proselytizing" and for more than a year now no Jebus-hawkers have dared knock.

[Liberalynn]

7. Great addition!

[Liberalynn]

5. That's a good idea!

I do have a Beware German Shepherd Dog on Duty sign, and she was barking at the time. That's usually enough to discourage most people but apparently not this guy.

[hobbit709]

6. I got a sign on my door printed in Headhunter font.

"IF YOU'RE HERE TO PREACH OR PRAY
IT'S BEST IF YOU JUST GO AWAY!?

[Liberalynn]

8. I like it!

[City Lights]

9. I have a "no solicitors" sign on my door.

When the Jehovah's Witnesses came to my door, I pointed to the sign. They said they weren't selling anything. I replied, "Yes you are. You are selling Jesus." That shut them up. They haven't bothered me since.

[Liberalynn]

12. That's the way I see it too.

that they are trying to sell "him," like a magazine subscription or a vacuum cleaner. I am sure they don't see it that way, but it's how it makes me feel.

[jeff47]

10. My favorite way of dealing with them were the Catholics that lived next door

Several houses ago, I lived next door to some devout Catholics. They actually practiced "live and let live", and so were just fine living next door to atheists.

When the Jehovah's Witnesses came up the street, the neighbors made them a deal: You can come in and talk for a half hour. Then we get to talk for a half hour.

The neighbor's conversion rate was over 70%. The Jehovah's Witnesses stopped coming down our street, since they kept losing members.

[Liberalynn]

13. Good for that couple. That was a fair way to deal with it.

I don't begrudge people their faiths but just want them to respect my right not to share them.

[nichomachus]

11. Mormons travel in pairs

And are recognizable by their white shirts and black pants -- or skirts. (I've seen female missionaries in Europe, but not the US.) They are never allowed to be alone. If they separate from the group or their partner for even a few hours, they will be shipped back home in the blink of an eye.

[Liberalynn]

14. That's helpful to know.

Then this must have been a Jehovah's Witness. He was an extremely well dressed older gentleman in a long overcoat and that.

[nichomachus]

16. Older man in a long overcoat?

Could have just been a flasher.

[Liberalynn]

18. LOL

[Rex]

15. I've had quite a few people show up looking like business executives

wanting to know if I heard of a man named Jesus Christ. I tell them I work for him and he is a very generous boss.

That usually makes them step back or throws them off so I can ask THEM 20 questions.

I'm sorry, I like to feed the Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons.

[Liberalynn]

19. No need to feel sorry

they are practically inviting you to feed them. I like the Jesus is your boss line. I think next time I will say, Jesus just told me not to talk to you, then shut the door.

[Rex]

22. I am the opposite, I want to ask them questions and find out why they do what they do.

I have no problems talking to them, once I invited a few Jesuits to sit and hold a conversation. They were older than I and been around the world spreading the word of God. Nice folks. Didn't try and push God onto me, but talked about the history of the Missions in Texas etc..

You will notice a big difference in the ones that are kids told what to do and older folks that have lived a life. The kids get too nervous if you start to ask questions and take control over the conversation. Doesn't help them in the least bit that I taught teens for a few years.

Mormons are some of the nicest people I've met. Talking to people won't change anything about me. I will however learn something about their mindset. To prepare me for Rapture 2 or whatever.

[uppityperson]

17. There is a difference between listening to a random person at your door and denying

someone service at your place of business.

Private property vs public, for starters.

[Liberalynn]

20. This is true.

[Pathwalker]

21. There are many no solicitation signs that you may like:

that even offer humor. I tried linking but got a lot of gobbldeygook. They say things like: We hate magazines,, we like our vacuum cleaner, we already know who we're voting for, we already found Jesus(or we know where Jesus is) our kids are selling the same junk, so unless you have Thin Mints to sell, GO AWAY!! Just Google humorus n solicitation signs - there are several.