I got up early today and was pleased that I could finally open my windows and turn up the air conditioning. Unfortunately, my joy was fleeting when I realized there were religious solicitors roaming my neighborhood. Generally, these types are Jahovah's Witnesses. I can't say for sure, though, because I closed the place back up before they got to my side of the block.

It made me mad to think I had to close my windows and shut out the sunshine in order to enjoy my morning in peace. Had this person even the iota of thought that I was awake and functioning my doorbell would have been ringing.

I consider this harrassment of a psychologically cruel nature. If a product salesperson came to my door I could easily be rid of them within seconds without guilt. Were I to answer the door for a religious salesperson, my perceived consequences of a door slam changes and guilt factors in. Maybe there is a hell and I'm going to go now for not listening to this person who claims to care about my soul... I recognize that I could simply NOT answer the door. Again, this works with salespeople, the guilt lingers with the religious types.

So my questions for you fantastic debaters are: should I be subjected to that type of guilt in my own home? Or based on the idea that we have a market driven economy, if one is selling god and another's buying, shouldn't we let them be?

I myself being of the Christian belief must comment on your experience with religious solicitation. The point that I'd like to make is that these religious solicitors are not intentionally enforcing guilt upon you. In the scope of things, you are the one who chooses to feel your own emotions. Perhaps if these religious solicitations bother you to extremes, you might ask them not to come to your door anymore. But I believe that they are only people raising money for their purpose.

Sincerely,

Locke

Most of the religious solicitors that have come to my door are not after money. Their purpose is conversion, and even when I say that I'm not interested, they continue to force the issue. I always try to be polite, but usually by the end of the conversation, I have to resort to rudeness to get them to leave.

Excellent point, Locke.

I think the solution is going to have to be keeping the curtains closed when they come around. Savannah has MANY, MANY churches and religious organizations. Trying to tell them all to leave me alone would take away a lot of my time (and it's REALLY hard to drag me away from this forum).

This is a supply and demand driven country. I need to learn to treat these types of solicitors as I would any other and just politely say no thanks.

You could perhaps keep some of them away by posting a "No solicting" sign.

For the Jehovah's Witnesses (or environmental activists, soap salesmen, etc) that make it to your door, simply take their literature, say I'll think about it, close the door, then think a little bit before throwing the literature away.

Or, if you are ambitious, you can study up on JW and debate them.

I finally learned to drop the guilt. Did you invite them to your home? I don't mean
to sound harsh, but the truth is, they are intruders, sucking up your free time.
If yor're concerned about whether there is a hell or not, you can choose
the time and place to explore the subject.

Jamie and others

Being a Christian myself I know that it is our duty to go out and to tell the world about our religion. However, it is not our job to pester you. I am sorry that you have had these expiriences. When I witness for Christ I tell people and if they reject me I dont ask questions I simply tell them thank you for your time and have a good day. Religion is a big choice to make. And as you have indicated if people annoy you with it it is a turn off to the person that you are trying to reach.

I'm a Christian (Catholic). My religion is my own private business, which I usually don't discuss with anyone else.

I belong to the club as Alan calls it, but if I don't like the rules I just ignore them.

MT

Just curious but why do you not tell others about it?

Oh, I might discuss religion with another Catholic or I might answer a question about the Catholic church if someone asked me. But I usually don't like discussing religion as it serves no purpose. I know what I believe. No one is ever going to change my mind. I think it's better to live and let live.

MT

Jamie,

Not knowing what your position is concerning religion it's hard for me to give you advice.

But in my case I usually just take the flyer and say thank you in a polite but final way. If they continue to push the subject I just say no thank you and close the door. I don't feel bad about it because it's much easier on them than if I started nitpicking certain points or debating their beliefs.

That made me laugh Danya because I know you could do a very good job of nitpicking. I can just hear you

Madtown

Jehovah's witnesses do not believe in blood transfusions. When I first got married my ex was a Blood Bank Supervisor at a Hospital. So one day I had 2 Jehovah witnesses come to my door. ( notice they always travel in more than one). I answered the door and they started their speech. I said I believe in Blood transfusions, my Husband is a blood bank supervisor. It worked like a charm. They left right away. And after that if I ever got them again I would repeat my belief and never had a problem again.

Mom: Good ploy. I usually tell religious solicitors that I'm actually a black lesbian. One or the other drives away most denomiations.

Wertz your ploy was better than mine. I would love to see the reaction on their faces when you tell them that. I bet you get some good ones.

The minute you steer the conversation in any direction you become a salesperson whether you're selling lawn mowers or a deity. I don't think I should wake up to AT&T selling me a new long distance package in the same I way I don't think that a man coming to my door and preaching to me is ok. It's worse when you go to someone's home and they bark passages at you. Luckily this country affords you the right to decide what belief structure you want to believe in. You have the decision and so do I. Don't try to sell me craftsman's new table-saw because you work at Ace hardware and don't try to make me see the path through God.

im gonna create a sign

" im not home so get away from my door!"