I'm having some trouble telling missionaries who come visit my house to go away. I'm from a country where being an atheist is being treated like you're evil so I sometimes refrain from telling people that I'm an atheist. I used to be a catholic and then a mormon before I started to see religions for what they really are. Since I got excommunicated from the mormon church, missionaries have been trying to get me back to the "right path" and convincing me to go to church again. These guys are very persistent and would not stop pay me some visits to discuss and share the "word of god". I try to be always polite and nice to them and tell them I'm not going back to the church and I do not have time for them. Yet, they still come and ask me to listen to them. I just want them to stop. What else should I do or say to make them to leave me alone?
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@Lily
With the Mormons I find it effective to engage them on the exploits of their founding father Joseph Smith.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Smith
.... it seems work quite well...especially if you look up Reformed Egyptian ....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformed_Egyptian
A similar tactic can be employed against the Jehovas Witnesses.....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Taze_Russell
Check out the miracle wheat...
Great idea! Thanks!
I used to answer the door holding one of my pet snakes...then I told them I was atheist. That pretty much did the trick.
Seriously, though, trying to get them to recognize your point f view is probably useless. Either don't answer the door, or do so and say, "no thank you" then shut it.
Look like this.
??? The OP did stipulate not being rude...
Apologies. Was that a trolling offense?
Nah, my appearance could be considered that, which is why it works so well.
Lol
Now that you mention it, one of my snakes did sorta look like that.
Ssssseallsy?
ever try missionarying them back?
This tends to work well. The arguments they present could generally be countered. However, if you are really interested in just not listening, the best thing to do is to try to maybe get your name off the list of people they send missionaries to. My dad did this, so we no longer receive missionaries.
Oh, I didn't know we could do that. Thank you for the suggestion.
No problem :)
ever try missionary position with them?
They're being rude to you, and invading your space, so I admit to being baffled as to why you wish to avoid being rude to them.
Engaging them in debate is what they want, because they think they'll get you to change your mind.
Does your internet device have recording capability? If yes, you could just start recording them whenever they barge into your life. Then interview them. Questions like, "Why do you continue to come here when I've told you to leave me alone?" and "Would you appreciate it if someone harassed your mother/sibling/friend?" Don't forget to tell them to go away and get their response. When they ask you why you're doing this, tell them in your sweetest voice that you're collecting evidence for the harassment complaint you plan to file, since polite requests to be left alone have been ignored. If the place you live has anti-stalking statutes (this *is* stalking), even better. That's often a felony.
Good luck.
Good point. I never thought of that before.
Lily,
Tell them you've converted to a different religion, that it is against the tenets of your new religion to even listen to missionaries of other religions and they are imperiling your soul. If they ask about your new religion tell them you're not allowed to discuss it with "non-believers". Bid them a good day and ask them to please not return.
Edited to add:
Lily,
I have a question. As you were excommunicated by the church, why are they trying to get you to come back?
Hahaha! I should probably try that just for fun and see their reactions.
Not really sure why they would still want me back even though they already excommunicated me. They actually did it way before I became an atheist, after I made a confession that I had premarital sex. Ha! I was then told that I had to be excommunicated but that I could work my way back by doing certain things and accepting callings. They have a lot of rules that I find absolutely ridiculous.
Lily,
These are fun =
http://www.bricktestament.com/the_law/when_to_stone_your_whole_family/dt... 4 pictures
http://www.bricktestament.com/the_law/religious_tolerance/dt13_13-15.html 5 pictures
http://www.bricktestament.com/the_law/false_prophets/dt13_01.html 4 pictures
Print them and hand them out to your visitors.
Try making a sign just outside your house.
Danger Don't approach!
There is only 1 god in this house.
Your Faith is not guaranteed upon entry.
Ring the bell at your own peril.
Then change the ringtone to Muuuuuhhhuhuhuhuhuhuhahahah.
Just a funny thought.
Put a sign on your lawn that reads, "CAUTION: BEWARE OF ATHEIST", and change the ringtone to what Jeff suggested above, and for bonus points, put a few A-logo bumper stickers onto your car(s).
But then again, they'll probably just keep doggedly persisting, and then make up some elaborate story about being "ridiculed" and "bullied" into not "spreading the word"... you can't fix an evangelist...
I had a friend who grew up in Salt Lake City, but was not mormon. The mormons would come by anyway to collect a tithe. His Dad would see them coming, light a cigar, pour himself a whiskey and answer the door. That was apparently enough to scare them off.
They're being rude to you just by coming to your door uninvited.
Be rude to them.
Tell them in no uncertain terms, "Get off my property and don't come back again !"
You don't even have to tell people you're an atheist to prevent missionaries from coming on your property. Since it is your property, you have the right to ask them to leave. My best advice is for you is to ask them why they are on your property. If they tell you that they're missionaries, then tell them you aren't interested in what they have to say and ask them to leave. If they persist, tell them they are not welcome on your property if they insist on trying to get you to listen to their religious preaching. Sometimes you have to be a little forceful. You may even want to put a sign on the edge of your property.
If you're interested in using a humorous approach, there's a funny sign that says "I have already found God. I already know who I'm voting for. Unless you're selling girl scout cookies, go away".
I have heard this quandary being posed many times before, and mostly by women. It's time for us to get over the whole "being nice" thing and stand up tall. In addition to being rude, disrespectful, and inappropriate - solicitors are trespassing, invading your right to privacy, and harassing you. I have learned to not engage them whenever possible. I either don't answer the door, or if they happen to catch me outside, I simply inform them politely but firmly that solicitors are not welcome here and ask them not to trespass onto my private property again. I make eye contact, and wait for them to go. If they linger, they are then usually told something along the lines of "that means you leave NOW" while pointing to the street. I have put up a sign that says "No soliciting or trespassing for any reason" on my gate. Don't let them intimidate or bully you, and you owe them NO explanation of your personal views. They have no right to that information. In cases like this it is not "rude" to close a door or gate in their face, or simply turn your back on them and walk away if your initial polite response is not honored.
You are absolutely right, Tracie. I tend to forget that they have no right to do that and that I do not owe them any explanation at all. Your advice is very helpful. Thank you!
Say "great guys. I.ve been looking for somebody to pray with. Join hands and start reciting a satanist prayer". I haven.t done it yet. Am waiting for the next Jehova.s witnesses to come a-calling. If that doesn.t get them, I.ll ask them whether they.re willing to offer their accompanying kid or grandkid as a small sacrifice.
Thats so awesome! I'm gonna try it:) I had some funny interaction with Jehovah witnesses lately but this would top it.
I got them to stop coming by my house after being polite with them. I explained that if I saw a person wearing a name tag, I'd call the police. When they came back the next time I answered the door holding my phone to my ear and said "Yes, this one is Elder Smith and this one Elder Butler. They're caucasion, early 20's, Smith has brown hair, brown eyes, and Butler has blond hair blue eyes. (to them) You two can leave now. (back into phone) If they're still here when you arrive I want them arrested for trespassing."
Even though I never called the police I haven't seen a missionary in 2 years. They walk past our house.
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