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So the thread about LDS missionaries got me thinking. How often do missionaries knock on your door? What kind have they been? What do you say to them?
We've never had LDS come to our door. We had JW once. But all the other missionaries that have knocked on our door have been protestants, usually Baptists handing stuff out. I'd say that we get missionaries coming by about 4 times per year. I tell them that I'm a Unitarian Universalist, and they usually don't know what that is. So I try to explain it to them, and they kinda give me a funny look and say 'okay then'. One time I got into quite a debate with a guy over same-sex marriage (and I think I won because he left saying that a more experienced missionary would know the right answers to what I was saying).
We get missonaries (not really sure which denomination) every once in a while here. I always look outside to see who is at the door and if it is anyone who is carrying the Bible, I never answer the door. It would just be a waste of both our time.
I remember when I was a kid we used to get them all the time but I can only remember once when they've knocked at my door a few years ago when I was living in Denver. I just said I wasn't religious and they were very polite and left. I have this amusing memory of a guy who visited our house in Montana when I was in my teens and when my Dad opened the door the guy held out a book and said "Do you know why this book is green? Because it's growing!" It was such a lame opening line that we laughed about it for months afterwards. My overall feeling though is that if someone feels they're called upon to do this sort of thing and they're polite and not pushy then I'm also going to be polite although it's not something I have any interest in. The only really pushy person who knocked on my door was a vacuum cleaner salesman but that's a whole different story.
your question makes me smile. When we were just newly married, and in our first home, two LDS missionaries came to our door. We invited them in, and tried to make them feel welcome by offering them coffee or tea.
What did we know?
They visited us several times, and we had some great discussions! One of the fellows was more mature, more seasoned than the other. The other guy was young, very new to the missionary field, we could tell. He was very interested in what we had to say. We almost had him converted, but the older one saved him. they stopped coming.
Ive never had anyone come to my door in 33 years but two times that I didnt know to invite me to church. once a sweet little girl and her mom asking if our kids to go to VBS and the other way back in the 80s when a local church got a new youth pastor. I live right in the middle of the Bible belt, I think our town has more churches than most states-lol. Not a bad thing.
Hmmm...probably two or three times a year since I've moved here to southern California.
It's been the same two people each time, except for once. It's two young men in short sleeved white shirts, ties, and Cali style sunglasses, on bikes, and they're such nice people.
They don't "push," really. They don't ask, "Do you want to know how to be saved?" Instead they say, "Are you happy right now or do you want to think about other ways you could be happy?" I sort of like that approach. They just seem really sincere. I mean that sentence could be said with insincerity or like it was read off a script but I think these young men really believe in what they're saying and in their religion and they generally just leave their card, no literature, and ask us to call some time if we want.
We used to get them once or twice a year...but one day my very large yellow lab, Lucy, got out...now you have to know Lucy to understand that she thinks everyone who comes to the house is there to see her and pet her and make a fuss about her...she's a little spoiled that way. So with her scruff up (because it goes up when she's excited as well as angry), tail wagging and big bark she came running out at the missionaries and they ran for the hills....only problem Lucy followed them...which must have made it seem like I had set the dog on them. But I didn't it's just hard to stop a 110 lbs lab when she wants to get where she wants to get...LOL Anyway they got a few houses down and I called Lucy and she came back. I did apologize to the missionaries (and the entire time I was telling them if they just petted her she would stop, but they were too freaked out)...but they never came back again.
I get the JW, and less frequently the LDS missionaries.
I tell them I am a blood bought bible believing born again Christian, and ask if they want to come in and we can do a study...a few times they have said yes...usually since they know by my reply, I know my Word they just ask to leave there info which I kindly reject...I have read it all, know whats in it. I was getting 2 or 3 sets of them a week, until I started doing this.
MBG
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Anyway they got a few houses down and I called Lucy and she came back. I did apologize to the missionaries (and the entire time I was telling them if they just petted her she would stop, but they were too freaked out)...but they never came back again.
