I don't want to offend, but I need advice! (Gospel, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons)
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We've recently moved to Laramie, WY from Houston. I have been visited by Jehovah's Witnesses at my home a total of 17 times in the past 3 months. The first time, I was kind and accepted their literature, but I did say that I'm a Catholic and am very happy in my faith.
A few visits after that, I just completely stopped answering the door, hoping that would drop a subtle hint. Well, the other day I was ambushed (they came in a different car) and there were 7 people standing on my doorstep. I answered the door, because I really didn't know who was there, and they were BANGING and my son was asleep so I figured I'd answer instead of listening to the banging and running the risk of my seldom napper to be woken up.
I answered the door, and I'll admit I was cross...I said, "I have really no time to visit with you. I've made it clear that I'm happy and dedicated to my faith, and do not wish to stray from what I know. Please stop coming to my home. I'm sure there are others that would be willing to listen to your message."
That didn't work...they came back, and this time I didn't answer the door. I have a "no soliciting" sign up, and my gate to my front yard is always closed. I don't know what else to do...I feel bombarded and harassed at this point.
Any suggestions? I apologize if this offends anyone...that is not my intention.
We've recently moved to Laramie, WY from Houston. I have been visited by Jehovah's Witnesses at my home a total of 17 times in the past 3 months. The first time, I was kind and accepted their literature, but I did say that I'm a Catholic and am very happy in my faith.
A few visits after that, I just completely stopped answering the door, hoping that would drop a subtle hint. Well, the other day I was ambushed (they came in a different car) and there were 7 people standing on my doorstep. I answered the door, because I really didn't know who was there, and they were BANGING and my son was asleep so I figured I'd answer instead of listening to the banging and running the risk of my seldom napper to be woken up.
I answered the door, and I'll admit I was cross...I said, "I have really no time to visit with you. I've made it clear that I'm happy and dedicated to my faith, and do not wish to stray from what I know. Please stop coming to my home. I'm sure there are others that would be willing to listen to your message."
That didn't work...they came back, and this time I didn't answer the door. I have a "no soliciting" sign up, and my gate to my front yard is always closed. I don't know what else to do...I feel bombarded and harassed at this point.
Any suggestions? I apologize if this offends anyone...that is not my intention.
I agree with the first answer above. Put up a sign, and warn them that they will be trespassing if they do not heed, and be willing to prosecute them if they do not obey your "no tresspassing" sign.
OR -you could really learn your Bible and begin challenging them. That always makes them run away, and they actually put you on a list to avoid, as they are afraid of anyone who really knows the Word of God and can use it for defending the Faith and they are scared their own newbies who come with them will be made aware of what the Bible actually says.
We've recently moved to Laramie, WY from Houston. I have been visited by Jehovah's Witnesses at my home a total of 17 times in the past 3 months. The first time, I was kind and accepted their literature, but I did say that I'm a Catholic and am very happy in my faith.
A few visits after that, I just completely stopped answering the door, hoping that would drop a subtle hint. Well, the other day I was ambushed (they came in a different car) and there were 7 people standing on my doorstep. I answered the door, because I really didn't know who was there, and they were BANGING and my son was asleep so I figured I'd answer instead of listening to the banging and running the risk of my seldom napper to be woken up.
I answered the door, and I'll admit I was cross...I said, "I have really no time to visit with you. I've made it clear that I'm happy and dedicated to my faith, and do not wish to stray from what I know. Please stop coming to my home. I'm sure there are others that would be willing to listen to your message."
That didn't work...they came back, and this time I didn't answer the door. I have a "no soliciting" sign up, and my gate to my front yard is always closed. I don't know what else to do...I feel bombarded and harassed at this point.
Any suggestions? I apologize if this offends anyone...that is not my intention.
As Dave Barry once wrote, "Did you ever notice that those who are so eager to share their faith with you are never interested in hearing about yours?"
I used to get them in my neighborhood too. A few years ago, I had three or four "waves" of them who were on "mission" from America.
To be honest, they sound very aggressive to me--it's a bit freaky. Is Laramie WY is a stronghold for them? If it is, you want, as a newcomer, to take into consideration that however you choose to "deal" with them could have negative repurcussions on you depending on how "tied in" they are to the community. As someone who has moved around and in lived in different cities in different cultures, it's something to keep in mind. It's ALWAYS better to blend in as much as possible when you first move somewhere before you get the lay of the land and not draw attention to yourself.
Now that I have that warning out of the way -- I just deal with them like I do any door to door salesman from whom I do not want to buy -- I (1)apologise for interrupting them BEFORE they go into their spiel and tell them I don't want to waste their valuble time. (2)Then I tell them I would be happy to take any literature they want to leave with me but that I DON'T have time to listen to them right now because I am busy. (3) If they continue to talk, I repeat myself and say "I'm sorry I don't have time -- if you want to leave literature with me, I will be happy to take a look at that" then I start to close the door.
If they get in my face asking personal questions about my religious beliefs I tell them I am very happy with my religion--thank you and have a nice day!
I also get Evangelical (American) Protestant missionaries from time to time who are apparently out to convert Heathen Catholics like me. I tell them I am VERY happy with my religion and then I ask them if they would like to learn about the doctrines of the Catholic Church. If they ask me if I "want to pray with them" I will say, "only if we can say a Rosary together for the Consecration of Russia."
One more possibility -- call their headquarters and inquire -- perhaps these ones banging aggressively on your door are imposters? If they are the "real thing" ask for the headquarters to "call off" their roving pack of JW's. I'd go this route first before involving the police, and get names of who you speak with and document your conversation in the event you do need to involve law enforcement.
We've recently moved to Laramie, WY from Houston. I have been visited by Jehovah's Witnesses at my home a total of 17 times in the past 3 months. The first time, I was kind and accepted their literature, but I did say that I'm a Catholic and am very happy in my faith.
A few visits after that, I just completely stopped answering the door, hoping that would drop a subtle hint. Well, the other day I was ambushed (they came in a different car) and there were 7 people standing on my doorstep. I answered the door, because I really didn't know who was there, and they were BANGING and my son was asleep so I figured I'd answer instead of listening to the banging and running the risk of my seldom napper to be woken up.
I answered the door, and I'll admit I was cross...I said, "I have really no time to visit with you. I've made it clear that I'm happy and dedicated to my faith, and do not wish to stray from what I know. Please stop coming to my home. I'm sure there are others that would be willing to listen to your message."
That didn't work...they came back, and this time I didn't answer the door. I have a "no soliciting" sign up, and my gate to my front yard is always closed. I don't know what else to do...I feel bombarded and harassed at this point.
Any suggestions? I apologize if this offends anyone...that is not my intention.
All you really have to do is call or write your local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses (look in the phone book or call information) and make your wishes known/leave a message; include your name as well as your address please, because addresses are revisited once a year and people do move, etc.
It's really not a big deal and no offense taken Crazymomof3 :-)
Last edited by DiJay; 01-11-2010 at 01:42 PM..
Reason: forgetful
I recall just last month when both a husband and wife JW team came to my door. I told both the husband and wife that Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6-10). The husband said otherwise (works based salvation attempt) and then I told them both that Christ was resurrected for their justification (Romans 4:25) and that their was nothing else needed to be done to be justified before God. The wife when she heard it believed the Gospel (I think anyway). It was the most amazing expression on her face. Complete astonishment and joy in what she heard and then she quickly flipped to those passages and read those verses in her own NWT bible, with even more happiness.
I'm not sure if the NWT is an accurate translation but it must have been good enough that day. Her husband sensed her joy, became upset they went back to their car. I've not seen either one since that day. I don't know if the wife is still a JW but I do think she believed the Gospel and has Christ's righteousness. I bet her husband will too, shortly.
The fact that you are, even after all that, worried about offending anyone here tells me you are probably too nice! And because of that, it seems these people are taking advantage of that. SHAME on them! I would definitely do what was suggested in an earlier thread and post signs- specific to Jehova's Witnesses if need be, about no trespassing/soliciting. Should you catch them on your property after said sign is posted, get their license plate, as they could actually be arrested or, if they keep offending, put in jail. Not that you want that, but it might make them think twice about what they are doing and save other people from having to go through what you have. And I know someone said something about going to the local Hall of JW, but considering how rude these people were to you I don't know that I would trust that doing so would put an end to their visits. Unless the witnessing individuals are going against higher JW policy- in which case then yes, report them. I'd still handle things on my own using regular property/privacy law, though.
One time some witnesses came to my home on a Sunday morning, very early. I was sleeping and out of it so I answered the door without thinking and they greeted me and said whatever they said, and I politely said I wasn't interested. They then, very rudely pointed out that since I wasn't in church, I must need some guidance. It kinda shocked me, and I paused for a minute and then said "no, I am a Satanist and my church of Satan meets at night" and shut the door. Never thought I'd have to stoop to saying such a thing but doing so seems to have worked, haven't seen them on my porch since then!
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