General Discussion

Kennah

(14,578 posts)

72. In recent years, I have found a simple "No thanks" or "Don't have time" works.

Tue Jan 14, 2014, 10:30 PM

Jan 2014

This is my preference. It could mean they are facing increased rejection. If they hear No, they move alone. Numbers game, the way it always has been in sales. Perhaps faith is truly faltering in America, and that would be a great thing.

In years past, I have encountered those who were really obstinate. A few random thoughts for them.

"Why should I believe your faith is the truth faith, when those from every other faith tell me the exact same thing?"

"Some who believe as you do will say things like, 'Teach the Controversy'. That is exactly the message of Tobacco Industry lobbyists decades ago and Fossil Fuel lobbyists today."

"You can leave now, not waste my time, and I promise not to say anything untoward."

"Science and evolution have a way of messing up one's faith."

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Has anyone tried this with religious people coming to the door? [View all] AngryAmish Jan 2014 OP

I'd just as soon come to the door stark naked. . . DinahMoeHum Jan 2014 #1

I had an atheist friend, a man, who did that very thing. It worked great. Nay Jan 2014 #45

I've known Mormons that would take you up on that offer. liberal_at_heart Jan 2014 #2

Can you send them over to my house? AngryAmish Jan 2014 #4

Me too. n/t GP6971 Jan 2014 #40

Yeah, my baseboards and toilets need cleaning. nt Ilsa Jan 2014 #91

My neighbor did just that. Frustratedlady Jan 2014 #137

I just say, thanks, but I dedicated myself to the Fred Astaire Dance Studios elfin Jan 2014 #3

They don't come to my door. hobbit709 Jan 2014 #5

They gave up coming to my door. RebelOne Jan 2014 #43

No, but I have a friend who told them Le Taz Hot Jan 2014 #6

I'll have to remember that one if I move. Warpy Jan 2014 #27

No. LadyHawkAZ Jan 2014 #7

My Jewish friends got them to go away pnwmom Jan 2014 #8

Haven't tried, but I will. I like it! n/t etherealtruth Jan 2014 #9

I don't understand the need to be rude to them Egnever Jan 2014 #10

offering me help I have not asked for and don't need dixiegrrrrl Jan 2014 #15

People's rights to live undisturbed? FrodosPet Jan 2014 #22

when they have been told to not return, they are trespassing if they do and here are laws about that uppityperson Jan 2014 #52

I agree with you, absolutely. Th1onein Jan 2014 #29

Some don't take "no thank you" for an answer REP Jan 2014 #33

" desire to help you" ? amuse bouche Jan 2014 #39

"No thanks" to the Mormon missionaries here LadyHawkAZ Jan 2014 #46

I said no thanks MANY times, yet they continued to come. I threatened them with police, trespassing uppityperson Jan 2014 #51

The Mormon church contributes millions of dollars to causes to deny my equal rights Rhythm Jan 2014 #69

I agree NJCher Jan 2014 #83

I've never been rude 840high Jan 2014 #88

I agree. Thank you. (nt) Heidi Jan 2014 #99

It may be done with good intentions... TroglodyteScholar Jan 2014 #101

Well if they expect to be abused Egnever Jan 2014 #102

Agree. n/t TroglodyteScholar Jan 2014 #104

I don't either. I talk to them, offer beverages, and am friendly with them. JVS Jan 2014 #106

Want to buy a Watchtower? liberal N proud Jan 2014 #114

"desire to help you" Capt. Obvious Jan 2014 #124

Yeah d_r Jan 2014 #132

I try to help the Mormons siligut Jan 2014 #135

I usually just tell them Spirochete Jan 2014 #11

What I do depends on my mood... Ohio Joe Jan 2014 #12

Isn't it awesome to hate and psychologically torture people? FrodosPet Jan 2014 #25

You're absolutely right. Why, EVER, act in hatred? Th1onein Jan 2014 #30

They are free to not come to my door Ohio Joe Jan 2014 #31

Ask the proselytizers REP Jan 2014 #37

They are trying to help you avoid that FrodosPet Jan 2014 #58

you can b polite and assertive creaturecomfort Jan 2014 #66

welcome to DU gopiscrap Jan 2014 #87

They have stolen my property, trespassed and insulted me REP Jan 2014 #100

that is "psychologically torturing"? uppityperson Jan 2014 #57

Psychologically torturing might be a stretch FrodosPet Jan 2014 #59

Well...you could go about it a couple different ways right? snooper2 Jan 2014 #144

We have dogs who meet them at the gate. Cleita Jan 2014 #13

I had a Rottweiler that would sit at the window. RebelOne Jan 2014 #44

Maybe this would fit better in the religion section rather than GD. nt el_bryanto Jan 2014 #14

I tell them that I am Jewish Gothmog Jan 2014 #16

"Have you heard the good news of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?" MannyGoldstein Jan 2014 #128

My ex-GF was raised Seventh Day Adventist Blue_Tires Jan 2014 #129

I used to point at a Tree JustAnotherGen Jan 2014 #17

I had two Jehovah's witnesses help me clear some storm damage on my property for free. Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #18

This is really interesting... goldent Jan 2014 #94

Yes, converts, there was never any question about that. I was the only person willing to talk to Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #117

"Sir, have you heard the good news?" bobclark86 Jan 2014 #19

+1 Scuba Jan 2014 #70

You win the thread! n/t eridani Jan 2014 #108

This works mt_big_blue_sky Jan 2014 #20

I'll try it on political canvasser... LanternWaste Jan 2014 #21

This message was self-deleted by its author onenote Jan 2014 #79

Whatever you do, don't challenge them to a game of b-ball. Glassunion Jan 2014 #23

saw that a few months back AngryAmish Jan 2014 #53

Great video! egduj Jan 2014 #138

I always invite them in for group sex hootinholler Jan 2014 #24

That's rather frightening Aerows Jan 2014 #38

I shake their hands and say "I'm sorry, but you interrupted my masturbating, gotta go." Throd Jan 2014 #26

go away, baitin' AngryAmish Jan 2014 #54

A man is in a doctor's office. Jenoch Jan 2014 #60

no - they are unfailingly polite with me Skittles Jan 2014 #28

Good, Skittles. Th1onein Jan 2014 #32

Correct answer! Ishoutandscream2 Jan 2014 #50

But they are the enemy FrodosPet Jan 2014 #64

And screw those who are assholes to us when canvassing for political candidates joeglow3 Jan 2014 #142

I Answer The Door Naked... Works Like A Charm... WillyT Jan 2014 #34

I simply say, "I'm not interested." And they leave. femmocrat Jan 2014 #35

I have a "No Religious Proselytizing" sign, but I do know someone who Arugula Latte Jan 2014 #36

My Mommy isn't home HockeyMom Jan 2014 #41

I find proselytizing incredibly insulting and offensive LiberalEsto Jan 2014 #42

How do you fell about volunteers canvassing for a political candidate? Common Sense Party Jan 2014 #96

That does not bother me in the same way nt LiberalEsto Jan 2014 #134

I'm sure it bothers some. Common Sense Party Jan 2014 #136

I don't answer the door to strangers. nt valerief Jan 2014 #47

One co-worker says he chased away some religious people by saying muntrv Jan 2014 #48

Yes. They came, mr up talked with them, they returned numerous times after being asked not to. Final uppityperson Jan 2014 #49

"Thank you but I'm not interested. Have a Wonderful Day" (door closes without hesitation) cherokeeprogressive Jan 2014 #55

No "Oooooh Rahhhh" macho posturing! FrodosPet Jan 2014 #67

Part of the reason the world is the way it is I guess... cherokeeprogressive Jan 2014 #84

harsh Vattel Jan 2014 #56

I just politely decline LittleBlue Jan 2014 #61

My point is that my maid charges me $ to clean AngryAmish Jan 2014 #62

To your dignity? FrodosPet Jan 2014 #65

I remember when two young Mormons came to our house when I was a kid. Jenoch Jan 2014 #63

No, I'm pretty sure that's not the reason. Scuba Jan 2014 #71

Read it again. Jenoch Jan 2014 #73

Ouch. Scuba Jan 2014 #75

I will misquote Jim Thompson AngryAmish Jan 2014 #82

When I was a kid, Jenoch Jan 2014 #90

I thought about copying the handwritten sign on the door up the street: IDemo Jan 2014 #68

In recent years, I have found a simple "No thanks" or "Don't have time" works. Kennah Jan 2014 #72

Invite them to a goat sacrificing ceremony tabbycat31 Jan 2014 #74

I started reading the Necronomicon once. Vashta Nerada Jan 2014 #76

Thank you for the tip! bravenak Jan 2014 #77

I am an atheist. I figure no one comes to my door out of ill-will. djean111 Jan 2014 #78

What is an NDE? Common Sense Party Jan 2014 #97

NDE = Near Death Experience DinahMoeHum Jan 2014 #112

I take it that a great many of the posters in this thread onenote Jan 2014 #80

We have a sign that says: "No solicitors, religious LuckyLib Jan 2014 #81

Has anyone tried just being kind? It's amazing how being kind can result in sabrina 1 Jan 2014 #85

I'm always kind and friendly with them. pintobean Jan 2014 #116

Not to diminish the benefit you received in a time of need siligut Jan 2014 #139

How about a pleasant "No thank you..." instead of assholishness... Lost_Count Jan 2014 #86

I say I already have a church so no thanks. hrmjustin Jan 2014 #89

You could do that... NuclearDem Jan 2014 #92

Just wait for the outrage when someone here, knocking on doors flvegan Jan 2014 #93

Someone was canvassing at my mom's when I was there and wanted... JVS Jan 2014 #107

That's a very good point. Marr Jan 2014 #143

Thank you for coming... Dread Pirate Roberts Jan 2014 #95

This message was self-deleted by its author freshwest Jan 2014 #98

My nephew and his roommate repeatedly asked them not to come back... Contrary1 Jan 2014 #103

Why, when a simple "No thank you" will get rid of them? El_Johns Jan 2014 #105

Don't know whether this still happens, but sometimes deaf people would hand out cards on eridani Jan 2014 #109

I prefer the polite route Niceguy1 Jan 2014 #110

The front walk to my door is gated. raven mad Jan 2014 #111

No, I find that a firm "Fuck off" does the job. nt mr blur Jan 2014 #113

They send me letters now ecstatic Jan 2014 #115

The bulk of people who push religious subjects at me are on DU. They love a bigoted preacher. Bluenorthwest Jan 2014 #118

The Mormons would probably do it - TBF Jan 2014 #119

Funny. We ask what religion they are and then say..."Oh, we are already Mormon (or whatever)" nt. Laura PourMeADrink Jan 2014 #120

Pretty Funny - But, i Did Something Fun Once ProfessorGAC Jan 2014 #121

The JW church is about a 1/2 mile from me Holly_Hobby Jan 2014 #122

We've been feeding Mormon missionaries for about twenty years. IdaBriggs Jan 2014 #123

"No, thank you" and closing the door even if they're still talking... Iggo Jan 2014 #125

Same here! Why waste their time and yours? randome Jan 2014 #126

The most successful response LWolf Jan 2014 #127

Tell them you have a religion and don't need one. marions ghost Jan 2014 #130

I used to work d_r Jan 2014 #131

if i am not expecting you FatBuddy Jan 2014 #133

I always say, "No salespeople please." polichick Jan 2014 #140

I just talk with them. :P Marr Jan 2014 #141

I used to try all sorts of "clever" retorts, but I found just telling them I'm an Atheist gets the.. Javaman Jan 2014 #145

They don't come to my door anymore either. polly7 Jan 2014 #146