How do you keep cult members out of your neighborhood (Howe: university, train)

[rynetwo]

Originally Posted by zcondren

It bothers me because they waste MY Time knocking on my door to spread their mental illness.

You cannot spread mental illness. You can post dumb things on the internet though.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by rynetwo

You cannot spread mental illness...

Not through lack of trying.

[huckster]

These are not cult members the likes Squeaky Fromme or that ilk of humanity. Squeaky Fromme tried to assassinate Gerald Ford. Was a cult member of Charles Manson. Secret Service stuck his hand's thumb membrane in between the hammer of the pistol and the back of the bullet cartridge and this
saved Gerald Ford.

On behalf of two of the finest fellows I have ever known, unforgettable for their kindnesses during the time that I was familiar with them, I retort. Garth and Drew were their names. Far finer fellows with better natures they were- than all the rest of my Christian fellow co-workers. This post is for them.
The contrasts were great. One day.
I committed a very indelicate religious faux pas in front of Garth, whom I already considered a fine fellow and a great friend and co-worker. One day when the topic of Jehovah Witness arose....
"Those people that always come to the door !" I blurted.

" I am Jehovah Witness." Retorted Garth. Needless to say rarely have I ever felt more awkward than at that moment. I simply never asked.
IN order to alleviate the awkwardness of that moment- a third party in the conversation -Willard, an alcoholic who could always be counted on for humorous off color remarks interrupted with an;
" You've said enough, Dean!"
We all broke out into loud laughter over the relief of pressure of an such uncomfortable, rude moment, a very uncomfortable moment, as Willard knew in how high regard I held Garth.
We all, did.
As adults the two brothers no longer attempt to spread their religious beliefs door to door, do not even practice anymore. I knew the entire family.

Originally Posted by rynetwo

You cannot spread mental illness. You can post dumb things on the internet though.

[Thoreau424]

I invite cult members to my home for tea and scones. We have the most lovely time. Next week we're starting a reading club.

[TexasRedneck]

I try to treat all religions with respect. While what they practice may not be in accordance with my beliefs, I respect their willingness to go out and be the butt of scorn and abuse as they seek to follow their teachings - they have more spiritual strength than I! 99% of the time, I've found that a polite refusal at the door takes care of their visit, and I've never had one become rude or abusive - which is FAR more than what I can say for most door-to-door folks.

So, while I might bemoan their interruptions in my home life, I won't belittle them.

[resonator]

Life is too short to be activating your adrenalin. It is a bad body chemical.

[4EVCali]

I agree with most of the posters here. Jehovah's Witness are simply doing what they believe is right. A simple, "I'm not interested, please don't come back to my house." is sufficient. On extremely rare occasions you might run across a witness or two who might display a bit more aggressive attempt to proselytize, in that case, a firm, "No thank you." and shut the door. You can also call the local Kingdom Hall and request that your home not be visited and they will remove your name and address from their territory list. Once a year, an elder or pioneer may call on you and ask if you still feel the same way about a door-to-door visit; (at least that's what was done back in the late 1990's and early 2000's ) If at that time, you tell them, you feel the same and do not return, they will leave you alone for the entire year. It's my understanding that now they are doing what they call, "Cart Work" and just standing on public streets with a literature cart offering books, brochures, and magazines to passersby. I haven't seen many in Beaumont, maybe 'cause it's not that big a city, I think they do that more in bigger/major cities like Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Austin.

[NightShift84]

I've seen the JW cart in Downtown SA. The witnesses that were working it didn't bark out at people either. They stood there talking, and waited for people to approach them.

[RadiantBaby]

The irony in this thread is so thick, I'm going to start using it as a winter coat now that the weather's cooling off.

Catholics/Episcopals/Presbys/Baptists etc pointing fingers at 'cults.' LOL.

Darlings, they're all cults, designed to skirt US tax laws and make as much money as possible on the backs of their flock.

While we're dissecting absolute hypocrisy, some of them also have rather spotty histories regarding vows of celibacy, abuse of children, bigotry, etc.

... And don't even get me started on the mormons and scientologists.

[PunkRockerSupergirl]

Blare Iron Maiden or Biggie on full blast with some huge speakers. Works every time.