Why solicit Religion?

[darkriver4362]

I really threatened to turn loose Roofus (my 130 lb lesbian female yellow lab) if they didn't leave, they are so persistant *Jahova's Witnesses* When they identify themselves be like, I didn't witness nothin...I'd like to witness you getting the f*ck away from me.

[SamSpade]

Originally posted by Tonio
Good point, Frank. I think you answered your own question with your first sentence. My perception is that most of the door-to-door Christians do pull the "you're going to hell because you don't believe what we believe" crap. It gets people upset because it comes across as "Ha ha, we're going to heaven and you're not!"

Not always (BTW - SamSpade is just "Frank at work"). I had some folks come to my door, and all they wanted to was invite me, let me know it was *there*. Of course, they did also want to get to know me, yada-yada. It turns out I was thinking about joining a church. I took their card, and a year later, I went. One time. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't what I was looking for either.

I know all about this - this was my daily routine for close to ten years. Yeah, the friendship angle may be just a come-on to wangle your way into their life, but the fact is, I thought I was helping people. When people said 'no', we took it at that. *Sometimes* we'd press if our gut instinct told us 'no' meant 'not right now'.

YES, we thought we were saving souls. But if you really grasp the point of Christianity, it's not a judgment on your character. Your average person buys into a works mentality that says "you're going to hell because you're WICKED" when that's not true. Goodness or badness hasn't a thing to do with salvation. If it did, we'd ALL be screwed. It has to do with how good Jesus is, because we all start our lives headed to hell to begin with. That's why it's "salvation".

It doesn't help anyone's case to say "yeah, I'm a Christian, I'm saved, please get the hell off my property, a**hole!" because truth be told, you couldn't possibly be Christian any more than you are Santa Claus. Christians don't treat their brethren that way.

So if you're NOT a Christian, I can understand why they're annoying. But consider this - if you ARE a Christian - and THEY are - isn't the Christian thing to do is to welcome them into your home? They're fellow believers. And if you think YOU are - and they aren't - isn't it STILL the Christian thing to do, to welcome them in?

I do the one thing I can do, and wish done to me, should I be in their shoes, because I *was* in their shoes. Thank them politely, and wish them well, and say no thank you. If they press further, they don't have your best interests in mind.

[darkriver4362]

When they come back every other Sunday, and even week nights, I tend to lose my temper easier since they are the same friggin group of people.

[Kirsten]

Hey I am not a Christian, not even close, but my mother raised me properly. I politely say no thank you, have a nice day and close the door. If they keep coming back I get a little firmer and usually drop the Have a nice day. And I admit I have a big ferocious looking mutt of a dog that if they keep showing up I usually bring with me to the door.

But in the original case that was posted a year and a half ago, I think I would have been blunt and probably rude when they don't get the hint of you not being interested.

[Tonio]

Originally posted by Kirsten
Hey I am not a Christian, not even close, but my mother raised me properly. I politely say no thank you, have a nice day and close the door.

We're teaching our children to say "please" and "thank you" from a very early age. Our goal is to never fall back on "Because I said so," but instead to be both firm and honest.

Getting back to this thread, that's what I never liked about the doctrinaire part of religion. So much of it is "Because I said so," with the assumption that humans are not capable of responsible behavior.

[BadGirl (Premo)]

It's as simple as this: if I wanted information on a particular religion, I have several means to get it:

(1) visit any one of the churches in the community;
(2) speak to any friends who have made their religious convictions known;
(3) go through the phone book and research different religions without ever leaving the comfort of my own home; or
(4) research on-line any religious group that catches your eye, still again in the comfort of my own home.

Churches are the ones that should have an Open Door Policy. But not my house - unless I initiate it.

[darkriver4362]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[Warron]

I've noticed an interesting trend when the religion pushers come to my door. Every single time it has been an older woman doing the talking with a younger (upper teen) female just standing in the background. I used to think that the teen was just there to see how it was done or some such, but after about the 5th visit with this same style (different people every time), I am starting to think that they are trying to suggest the social possibilities of joining their church. It wouldn't really surprise me if this is the case. I usually just tell them that I am not interested and close the door though.

[SamSpade]

We DID do something LIKE that. We would try to pair men and women, and if possible, a kid. The idea was, we're not some weird group where everyone is the same age or race. You know, it never occurred to me that someone might interpret that as "if you come to OUR church, this is the kind of babe y'all be sitting next to". Never occurred to me. But yes, sometimes the mix of ages is intentional, and yes, sometimes a more experienced door-knocker will bring along a newbie to show them the ropes.

[Hessian]

I believe our church invites guests to fill out a welcome card and if they check the box"I would like to hear more..." then somebody will call and schedule a visit. Most of the time a kindly pastoral letter says "Thanks for visiting..."
There ar some in my church who are major tract pushers but they do not wish to offend so they back off if faced with an abrupt NO.

My neighbor is devoted JW but he is so screwed up from Vietnam, Drugs, or Racism that he's almost incoherent when trying to push his quirky version of the Bible.

My POINT: Times have seriously changed....I feel sorry for those churches that have to send out the pairs weekly or even the ones that promote the annual "REVIVAL" tent meetings which likely should have faded away in the 1940's.

I would much rather see churches reaching out with socials, sponsoring community events, picnics, and filling in where people slip through the cracks (IE "Christmas Angel" gifts for families of prisoners,...help for families of service personel based overseas...help for teen pregnancy crisis centers.--that is where faith converts into action.)
I tutored in a Max sec. prison for four years....not the Bible either...just GED prep-it was worth it.