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Mormons Won’t Leave This Woman Alone, So She Asks For Ways To Scare Them Off And People Deliver
Interview With Expert
As long as we have free will, we can choose who or what to believe in. However, religious faith in particular seems to be on decline, with almost one-third of U.S. adults saying they don’t belong to any religious group. They report making such a decision mainly because they have doubts about religious teachings and don’t believe in higher power.
This woman no longer had faith in Mormonism after becoming disillusioned around 12-years-old. However, since then, other members have been very persistent in convincing her to return. Finally having enough, she started plotting how she’s going to teach them a lesson and even turned online for some advice.
Scoll down to find the full story and a conversation with professor of psychology and religious studies, Thomas G. Plante, Ph.D., ABPP and therapist specializing in LGBTQIA+ relationships and religious recovery, and owner of Anchored Counseling, Kelly R. Minter, who kindly agreed to talk with us more about losing faith.
RELATED:
The number of people who belong to a religious group is declining
Image credits: Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)
This woman also decided to abandon her faith, but her community didn’t want to let her go
Image credits: Gabrielle Maurer / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Curated Lifestyle / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: SweeperOfChimneys
“Often they feel that they can’t believe the dogma or don’t like many of the rules”
“It is very clear over the last decade or so that people are leaving their religions in higher numbers than we’ve previously seen,” says therapist and owner of Anchored Counseling, Kelly R. Minter.
“But I think a lot of that is because many religious organizations and belief systems refuse to allow for change, progress or evolution of our understanding of ourselves as humans and society as a whole. And so people have to decide not to evolve in order to stay in a religion, which is an unfair expectation.”
Professor of psychology and religious studies, Thomas G. Plante, Ph.D., ABPP, says that it’s not an easy decision for someone to give up their religion. “Often religious affiliation is also tied up with overall idenity, family relationships, and many other factors. Of course there is diversity in experience but as a rule, it is a challenge for many.”
“Typically people follow a religion because it speaks to them. When something resonates with who you are and when you build it into your identity, extracting that from yourself can be a lot of work. People who leave religions often spend time trying to figure out who they are without that huge part of their identity,” adds Minter.
People may choose to abandon their faith for many reasons. “Often they feel that they can’t believe the dogma or don’t like many of the rules. Often they feel disrespected or even abused,” says Plante. “For example, many people who are LGBTQI+ may feel rejected by their faith tradition and not welcomed. And many just don’t feel that they are getting what they want from the faith tradition.”
Minter also mentions disillusionment as a motive for leaving a religion. “Often a lot of the people that I work with leave because they realize something about themselves that can’t coexist with the doctrine of their faith, whether it’s their identity, their sexuality or their philosophy of the world in general,” she notes. “Other times, the people who follow the religion make the religion itself not something people want anything to do with anymore.”
Image credits: Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo)
“I don’t think it’s ever appropriate for anyone to try to persuade someone into a belief system”
Leaving a religion can not only be challenging but it can also have an impact on people, leading them to feel a mix of emotions. “Some feel unmoored, lack a community of engagement and support, or a bit adrift. Of course there is diversity of experience but faith traditions can offer many intangible benefits that people sometimes miss when they leave,” says Plante.
Some might feel happy having removed themselves from their religious community, as they are no longer weighed down by it, says Minter. At the same time, they can experience sadness because they miss the people, the rituals, and the identity that came with being a part of that religion, she says.
“Sometimes people lose their whole friend group or sometimes even their families when they leave religion and it can be really hard to start to trust again that people will still be there because you thought those people were your friends and you did life things with them for maybe years and then, when you decide that a belief system doesn’t fit you anymore, you become no longer acceptable to them…It’s going to make you question your worth to other people. Even outside of that religion,” Minter further explained.
Meanwhile, the religious community should respond to a person leaving their circle with respect, care, and compassion instead of pressuring them to return. However, “how religious communities should respond and how they do respond are two very different things,” says Minter. “If a religious community would respond in a way that cares for the person themselves and doesn’t pressure them to return, I think a lot more people would be open to returning to religion.”
“I don’t think it’s ever appropriate for anyone to try to persuade someone into a belief system,” Minter adds. “Leaving a door open for someone to enter back into a belief system that worked well for them at one time makes sense, but anytime you try to convince someone of something that they have discarded as not working for them anymore, it is usually more about the person doing the convincing and their needs than about the person who they are trying to convince,” she says.
Lastly, she concludes by saying, “As long as religions spend more time shaming the people who leave than they do caring for the people in the world that need caring for, they are going to continue to lose followers.”
Image credits: Rosie Sun / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Readers provided all sorts of hilarious advice for the author
Later, the author posted an update
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Image credits: SweeperOfChimneys
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What do you think ?
Michael Largey 4 days ago
I've never had Mormon missionaries show up at my door, but my first and only question would be "Tell me about your underwear."
Phobrek 4 days ago
Always ask such people for ID and if they show it, whip out your phone to take a picture of it, asking "is this your current address?" If they object, explain that they have YOUR address, it seems only fair you should have theirs. Then do what you like with the information....
Deborah B 3 days ago
I'd suggest donations to scientology in their name....I wonder if you can arrange scientology visitors?
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Jemima Bauer 4 days ago
I really want a big dog. I’d buy it a big beef bone, stick a shoe on the end, and tell the door-knockers he’s just finishing up the last missionaries that trespassed on my property.
Jo pay me more 4 days ago
Mormon missionaries built my daughter's flat pack bed that had been delivered prior to their arrival. Thank you, Elders Whittaker and Zezulka, that bed remained standing for 10 years! Your church sucks but your labour was greatly appreciated.
Virawiel 4 days ago
When I was a teenager we moved and our new house came with weekly visits from a middle aged woman trying to convert us to her religion. My parents asked her kindly to stop coming but she was determined to save our souls. One time my parents weren’t home and there she came driving up our long driveway in her big old 90s car. I joked to my sister we should tell her we worship Satan and started laughing. My sister walked right out and met her on the front porch and told her sorry we’re Satanists. That lady ran back to her car so fast I thought she was going to lose her sensible heels. My parents have been living at that house for 25 years and there’s never been another religious zealot since.
Yvonne Dauwalder Balsiger 4 days ago
Years ago a friend of mine went to answer the door almost as "God had sent her into this world" and invited the 2 JW guys in for some coffee and a "special cookie". They ran off of course but hours later, ONE OF THEM CAME BACK! HA HA HA, hypocrite!
ॐBoyGanesh 4 days ago
The pride flag & rainbow doormat tend to keep them at bay. I’ve only had to deal with them a couple times & jokingly said I have a gay Mormon missionary fetish & ask if either are down to fück. I tried being as salacious as possible & it really broke their concentration.
Glen Ellyn 4 days ago
The sign I may put up on my door if solicitors become a problem: "If I'm not expecting you, I'm not answering the door."
Kathy Brooke 4 days ago
Dad once answered the door and called in to Mum "Jean, the morons are here!" That stopped them. My problem was with JWs. For context, I'm a Methodist minister: carol services nine nights running in different chapels, interspersed with carols for schools and afternoon groups, three services Christmas Eve, two Christmas day... Boxing day i got to lie in till they rang the bell at 08.45 "we wondered if you'd ever thought about why we celebrate Christmas?" Only time I've ever sworn at callers.
ispeak catanese 4 days ago
I lived in Las Vegas and there are tons of Mormons harassing door to door. The second time two showed up, I flung my door open, pointed to my house number and told them to memorize it and make sure they never returned. I must have sounded like a demon because they stayed away.
Blue Flower 2 days ago
All I can hear is the voice Anna Farris used for remembering the girls names in the movie House Bunny 🤣
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UncleJohn3000 4 days ago
I recognize them as fisherfolks casting wide nets, thank them for their efforts to help the world, and send them on to more lucrative waters. It confuses the hell out of them because a) I'm completely sincere, and b) they don't have a pre-programmed response to that.
Praea Kitten 2 days ago
My ex-BIL got rid of the JWs by inviting them in for coffee, setting them at his table all hospitable-like, then telling them all about his alien abduction and probing experiences. They never came back
Dusty's mom 3 days ago
I have a very specific list typed in enlarged print: NO MISSIONARIES, NO POLITICIANS, NO FUNDRAISERS (INCLUDING SCHOOLS), NO SALESPEOPLE. It is prominently posted on my door, and is replaced as often as necessary so that it doesn't look old. The few people who ignored it were told, through my locked screen door, that I would report them for harassment. A woman who lives alone need not open her door to ANY stranger.
The Other Guest 3 days ago
I'm always polite to the missionaries; being mean, pretending to be a satanist, etc. only enforces the church's message that the outside world is cruel & scary, and the church is the only place that is kind, safe, and accepting of them.
Traveling Lady Railfan 3 days ago
This was interesting to read, especially all the info in the comments....I learned more about the annoying and weird parts of different religions here than I ever did in school!
Vinnie 3 days ago (edited)
Few or no Mormons in my area, but Jehovah's Witnesses have come to my door. I haven't had problems with them. I say, "Thank you, but I already have my own spiritual beliefs." They always leave after that, sometimes looking relieved. I suspect some would really prefer to skip the door-to-door duty.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 4 days ago
Mormon adjacent story: My mom was raise a JW. When she married my dad (Catholic) she was disfellowshipped and disowned. I didn't even know about that half of the family until I was 10yo or 11yo. As an adult I despise religion in ALL its forms and will gladly tell them that. If their god exists, then he's a nasty piece of work and can FO.
Vinnie 3 days ago
The shunning is one of the worst aspects of religions that do it. One of my in-laws joined a very insular branch of Catholicism and has gone low-contact or no-contact with his family of origin. He's married, has a kid and will certainly have more. I have no idea what he and his wife will tell their children about the people he is shunning.
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Jihana 3 days ago
In my neighborhood there is a Mormon church, so once in a while I meet missionaries. Once they rang the doorbell, and two times I was just sitting on a bench somewhere, and they started talking to me. Every time they were super friendly. With those at my door I talked for a while, I even gave them proof that evolution is an ongoing process. And the other two times I just told them that I am an atheist, and they will have better luck with someone else. They just laughed, said no problem and wished me a good evening. Extremely nice and respectful.
Vinnie 2 days ago (edited)
Some people can enjoy an intelligent conversation or counter-argument. The missionaries you meet do sound more pleasant than folks who repeat stock phrases like trained parrots. I once chatted with a Muslim who was giving out information about Islam. He knew a lot (such as about Deism). He was genuinely curious about my lack of faith - not judgmental at all, just something that he found hard to imagine for himself.
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Sathe Wesker 4 days ago
I wear a pentacle, I am a pagan, I would definitely use the “sacrifice to the old gods” route. That one legit made me laugh.
Kristal 4 days ago
I was raised in the Mormon church and I always disagreed with proselytizing, even when I was little and didn't even know the word for it. I just never thought we should bother people at their home. Now, I went the legal route of membership removal, changed my name and moved to another country. Granted ... the rest happened for other reasons but hey, keeps them afar lol I think that if you have to force your religion down someone's throat in the hopes they like it ... that it's not anything good to begin with.
Trisec Tebeakesse 4 days ago
"NO TRESPASSING" "NO SOLICITORS" Are you in an open-carry state? Answer the door with a pistol on your hip. Otherwise, carry a machete.
Livingwithcfs 4 days ago
I was in the 'church' and attempted to resign. Even told them at the temple that it's a cult. Still no luck. I now just shut tge door in there face after telling them to buss off.... or words to that effect
Chich 4 days ago
I have had Mormons, JWs, twofers etc drop by in the past. I've had them in and after talking for a bit a few have left questioning their religion and with a list of suggested reading material. I just take the line that if you cannot openly question your beliefs then they don't have much substance.
Greenmantle 4 days ago
My friend hangs a sheep skull and pentagram on the front door. They stay away. Me? Answering the door naked worked.
Zophra 4 days ago
Is there ANY religion that isn't male dominated? I thought perhaps Sikh, but I'm not even sure on this one.
Anxiousguest 4 days ago
Hinduism originally was equal for men and women. But in the past one or two centuries , some sick men made it male dominant. Now it's again getting back to equality, but very slowly
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Lene 1 day ago
I've only ever met mormons out in the public sphere and it was easy (!!!) to get them to go away. I just told them that I have the Book of Mormon at home and when I have read it I will want to talk with them (I studied religion at the uni so I got plenty of sacred books from diff. religions. Also, my "wanting" to talk with them would be very much questioning why this makes sense to them and why not *other religion* instead. I have "converted" a religious person to science before. Didn't mean to do that, I swear!). Whenever I have had JW come to my door I have started by saying that I'm not even a Monotheist. Most JW-groups will stay the f away from you if you are too hard work (as in making a polytheist become a monotheist). If that doesn't help I will politely (but firmly) tell them to put me in their black book. Once, when I did this, the women who had come to me looked SHOCKED! And they said "but we WILL come back when you have moved away!" And yeah.... I don't care about that. Lol
Carilyn Beverly 1 day ago
I was born in the US but raised overseas. Dad was one religion, while my mom had been born and raised Mormon. We had been there (Europe) for quite a few years, then suddenly, like completely out of the blue, my mom was being reached out to, through The Church. (Mormons have "Home Visiting Teachers" that will stop by and check in on you, pray with you, ect.; not to mention the missionaries!) Even now, at 41, I do not understand, nor do I trust, The Mormon Church (not that I trust any Church - I am more spiritual than religious) but I always found the Mormon Faith quite odd and very hypocritical!
zovjraar me 2 days ago
when i have religious people show up, laugh and say (in my best Southern Belle voice), "oh honey, i'm an atheist" and shut the door still chuckling.
Juanita Sullivan 2 days ago
Ex Mormon here. I had a great laugh at the suggestions as to how to get rid of them. I had myself removed from the church membership rolls legally. I moved from the area as I wanted to come back to Nova Scotia anyway. In the 17 years I've been back I've only seen missionaries once at my door. I have a sign on my door that specifically says no sales people of any kind and that includes religion. They knocked anyway. I opened the door and before they could get a word out I asked them what part of sign they don't understand. They just turned and walked away.
Anne Nyheim 2 days ago
Mom was a hobby viking, she did the entire thing with the clothes and travelling to markeds in a tent and knew everything about our ancestors (we live in Norway). Every time she got missionaries on the door she invited them in to tell her about Jesus, but only if she could tell them about Odin in return. Also, as a well-read atheist, she knew her bible better than most people, especially those parts that most christians skip, like the story of the prophet who was bullied by children and made god send lots of bears to eat all the children in the village he was visiting. And if you have clothing made from mixed fabrics you must give it to your priest
Ann Deluty 2 days ago
Last time some AH rang my doorbell is was a younger woman and an older woman. Younger flipped open an Old Testiment, read it out and asked me if I thought it was relevant to today. I said, "I'm sorry. I don't run my life according to Jewish Fairy Tales." End of discussion.
Heras buddy 2 days ago
My friend hasn't seen one since he wore the " Burn your local churh" t-shirt.
Cecilie Hammershøy 2 days ago
I got JW to stop coming by answering the door naked. My religions teacher at high school got put on the non visit list of JW, because she asked them to many questions they couldn't answer.
Heather Menard 3 days ago
I would have answered the door and said my prayers are answered. I finally get my threesome.
Doodles1983 3 days ago
Testicle or Pentagram door knocker. Or a bell that recites curses/spells or sounds like people doing it
Tonyah Mcanelly 3 days ago
I get them all the time from Jeahovas witness. I can look out the window with out them seeing me so i just go about my day. However i did grow up mormon. I am christian but i dont agree with their teachings. I founch a church I like that is literally no pressure. If you dont show up for a few sundays they check in on you to see if you are doing ok . The pastor has bible studies that involve drinking an occasional beer and smoking cigars. They are really good people who dont push their beliefs on you
Tommer Peterson 4 days ago
I got rid of Jehovahs Witness missionaries pestering me in my yard by going to the chicken coop, grabbing a hen that was destined for the pot, taking it to the chopping block and beheading it with my hatchet,
sweet emotion 4 days ago
I used to get monthly visits from the "other" sect (the one that sent out two clean-cut young men in white shirts and black pants, carrying pamphlets). Thank goodness for the peephole in my door - I could either ignore the knocking or prepare a story before opening the door. My favorite was "Sorry, I'm running late for my coven meeting, but you're welcome to come along. We always encourage converts."
Guess Undheit 4 days ago
If the same religious cultists repeatedly showed up at my door, they would get vegetable oil in the summer, or water in the winter. And I'd be filing harassment charges against them.
Rick Seiden 4 days ago
I just say, "I'm an atheist. Have a nice day," and close the door. I've thought about saying, "I'll listen to why you think I should believe in God if you listen to why I think you shouldn't, first." Or maybe, "If I told you why you shouldn't believe in God, would it change your mind?" and when they say, "No," reply, "Then you understand why you telling me why I should believe in God won't change my mind." (My son found a relationship with God in college, and I support him in that. He tried to convert me over breakfast. We ended with a list of questions I would need answers to if I were to consider believing in God again. I never got a response to any of those questions. My son is not the type of person to just let things go.)
n75mk9nk2n 4 days ago
I have a surprisingly effective way of getting rid of missionaries, but it's not for the faint-hearted and can occasionally require some time. But it's also polite and friendly rather than violent, so here goes. If someone of any faith shows up to evangelize/proselytize at my door, I will invite them in and offer them a bargain; they can talk about their faith as long as they want, but they have to agree to listen to me talk about mine afterwards, for equal time and with equal respect. Then I inform them that I am a Pastafarian and follow The Flying Spaghetti Monster (which happens to be true-ish). This has worked every time but once, and that 'once' actually turned into a pretty cool hour of chatting over tea. So, win/win.
Son of Philosoraptor 4 days ago
I've had a lot of problems with missionaries door knocking. I settled on either "we're a Buddhist house, have a great day" or "oh you're Mormon! Must be tough with the founder being crazy and talking to lizards and all that. I feel bad for you! Have a great day!"
T'Mar of Vulcan 4 days ago
In South Africa most people who live in the suburbs have motor gates and walls/palisades/electric fences/barbed wire. So when the JWs ring the bell at our motor gate, we look to see who it is and then ignore them.
Stacy Bender 4 days ago
We had a sign on the door that they had to pay us $20 to listen to them. When our friend had issues, he met them at the door with a leather pup play mask. He apparently keeps it just for situations like this.
Janelle Collard 4 days ago
The "How would you approach..." question needs a 5th choice: Don't answer the f'ing door! That's what I did when the missionaries used to show up at my house!
RM 4 days ago
I was maybe 10 or 11, we used to get a lot of Jehovah's Witnesses who could not understand that we were not interested. I had a recording of a rottweiler furiously barking that I would play when I saw them approaching the door, then open it a tiny crack to ask what they wanted. They always left pretty quickly once they heard it. After I moved into my current house I had them nearly every Sunday for about a year - those ones were got rid of when they were told, not too politely that the next time they appeared I would be reporting them to the police for harassment and would they kindly f-off and leave me alone. No more knocks at my door since.
Nitka Tsar 4 days ago
Thank Goodness they don‘t come around here. I have seen a Mormon only once, when our religion teacher in…. Around 11 grade invited them to speak with us. No, he didn‘t want to convert us. It was about seeing other religions. We asked them questions and talked about them and their religion later on. I think there is one of their churches in Hamburg… not sure though. We have rules that not even churches can disregard here. Scientology for example isn‘t recognized as a church here, as far as I know.
Heather W 4 days ago
I actually used to talk to the Mormons that came to my house. They would give long winded explanations of things, I would give them simplified examples. The last time 1 was taking notes. Then my daughter, then 4 years old, decided to strip down to her underwear and run around like a heathen. They excused themselves and never came back lol
quentariel 4 days ago
We don't get Mormon missionaries, but Jehovah's witnesses are wilding. In my previous apartment complex they realised that people just ignore them and don't open the door. So they often stood in the stairwell to wait people getting in or out. Once I almost got a freaking heart attack when I came from work and they waited silently in a dim hall to ambush me. Their go to question was "is God dead?" I was pissed, said no without thinking and rushed past them. Later I realised that their question was annoyingly clever, whether you answered yes or no, you acknowledged the existence of God and thus gave them permission to disturb you in the future.
Annik Perrot 4 days ago
I laughed when one of the commenters said "next time, open the door nude". My brother did do that in the 70s, to Jehovah Witnesses. Very effective, they never bothered him again.
Lynchamigsakta 4 days ago
I had jehovas ringing my door constantly for a while. Finally got annoyed enough to start opening the door semi nude, only took 2 times and they never rang my bell again
Scott Rackley 4 days ago
I got rid of JWs one time by smearing GFs lipstick on my lips, and answered the door buck naked holding one of her "toys" Then I asked them "Is baby pretty?" in a creepy voice.
Tamra 4 days ago
I'm at the point where I believe that traveling proselytizers should be illegal. I couldn't be more sick and tired of bible thumpers trying to push their beliefs onto every person they see. Enough already. Leave people the f**k alone.
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Michael Largey 4 days ago
I've never had Mormon missionaries show up at my door, but my first and only question would be "Tell me about your underwear."
Phobrek 4 days ago
Always ask such people for ID and if they show it, whip out your phone to take a picture of it, asking "is this your current address?" If they object, explain that they have YOUR address, it seems only fair you should have theirs. Then do what you like with the information....
Deborah B 3 days ago
I'd suggest donations to scientology in their name....I wonder if you can arrange scientology visitors?
Load More Replies... Jemima Bauer 4 days ago
I really want a big dog. I’d buy it a big beef bone, stick a shoe on the end, and tell the door-knockers he’s just finishing up the last missionaries that trespassed on my property.
Jo pay me more 4 days ago
Mormon missionaries built my daughter's flat pack bed that had been delivered prior to their arrival. Thank you, Elders Whittaker and Zezulka, that bed remained standing for 10 years! Your church sucks but your labour was greatly appreciated.
Virawiel 4 days ago
When I was a teenager we moved and our new house came with weekly visits from a middle aged woman trying to convert us to her religion. My parents asked her kindly to stop coming but she was determined to save our souls. One time my parents weren’t home and there she came driving up our long driveway in her big old 90s car. I joked to my sister we should tell her we worship Satan and started laughing. My sister walked right out and met her on the front porch and told her sorry we’re Satanists. That lady ran back to her car so fast I thought she was going to lose her sensible heels. My parents have been living at that house for 25 years and there’s never been another religious zealot since.
Yvonne Dauwalder Balsiger 4 days ago
Years ago a friend of mine went to answer the door almost as "God had sent her into this world" and invited the 2 JW guys in for some coffee and a "special cookie". They ran off of course but hours later, ONE OF THEM CAME BACK! HA HA HA, hypocrite!
ॐBoyGanesh 4 days ago
The pride flag & rainbow doormat tend to keep them at bay. I’ve only had to deal with them a couple times & jokingly said I have a gay Mormon missionary fetish & ask if either are down to fück. I tried being as salacious as possible & it really broke their concentration.
Glen Ellyn 4 days ago
The sign I may put up on my door if solicitors become a problem: "If I'm not expecting you, I'm not answering the door."
Kathy Brooke 4 days ago
Dad once answered the door and called in to Mum "Jean, the morons are here!" That stopped them. My problem was with JWs. For context, I'm a Methodist minister: carol services nine nights running in different chapels, interspersed with carols for schools and afternoon groups, three services Christmas Eve, two Christmas day... Boxing day i got to lie in till they rang the bell at 08.45 "we wondered if you'd ever thought about why we celebrate Christmas?" Only time I've ever sworn at callers.
ispeak catanese 4 days ago
I lived in Las Vegas and there are tons of Mormons harassing door to door. The second time two showed up, I flung my door open, pointed to my house number and told them to memorize it and make sure they never returned. I must have sounded like a demon because they stayed away.
Blue Flower 2 days ago
All I can hear is the voice Anna Farris used for remembering the girls names in the movie House Bunny 🤣
Load More Replies... UncleJohn3000 4 days ago
I recognize them as fisherfolks casting wide nets, thank them for their efforts to help the world, and send them on to more lucrative waters. It confuses the hell out of them because a) I'm completely sincere, and b) they don't have a pre-programmed response to that.
Praea Kitten 2 days ago
My ex-BIL got rid of the JWs by inviting them in for coffee, setting them at his table all hospitable-like, then telling them all about his alien abduction and probing experiences. They never came back
Dusty's mom 3 days ago
I have a very specific list typed in enlarged print: NO MISSIONARIES, NO POLITICIANS, NO FUNDRAISERS (INCLUDING SCHOOLS), NO SALESPEOPLE. It is prominently posted on my door, and is replaced as often as necessary so that it doesn't look old. The few people who ignored it were told, through my locked screen door, that I would report them for harassment. A woman who lives alone need not open her door to ANY stranger.
The Other Guest 3 days ago
I'm always polite to the missionaries; being mean, pretending to be a satanist, etc. only enforces the church's message that the outside world is cruel & scary, and the church is the only place that is kind, safe, and accepting of them.
Traveling Lady Railfan 3 days ago
This was interesting to read, especially all the info in the comments....I learned more about the annoying and weird parts of different religions here than I ever did in school!
Vinnie 3 days ago (edited)
Few or no Mormons in my area, but Jehovah's Witnesses have come to my door. I haven't had problems with them. I say, "Thank you, but I already have my own spiritual beliefs." They always leave after that, sometimes looking relieved. I suspect some would really prefer to skip the door-to-door duty.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 4 days ago
Mormon adjacent story: My mom was raise a JW. When she married my dad (Catholic) she was disfellowshipped and disowned. I didn't even know about that half of the family until I was 10yo or 11yo. As an adult I despise religion in ALL its forms and will gladly tell them that. If their god exists, then he's a nasty piece of work and can FO.
Vinnie 3 days ago
The shunning is one of the worst aspects of religions that do it. One of my in-laws joined a very insular branch of Catholicism and has gone low-contact or no-contact with his family of origin. He's married, has a kid and will certainly have more. I have no idea what he and his wife will tell their children about the people he is shunning.
Load More Replies... Jihana 3 days ago
In my neighborhood there is a Mormon church, so once in a while I meet missionaries. Once they rang the doorbell, and two times I was just sitting on a bench somewhere, and they started talking to me. Every time they were super friendly. With those at my door I talked for a while, I even gave them proof that evolution is an ongoing process. And the other two times I just told them that I am an atheist, and they will have better luck with someone else. They just laughed, said no problem and wished me a good evening. Extremely nice and respectful.
Vinnie 2 days ago (edited)
Some people can enjoy an intelligent conversation or counter-argument. The missionaries you meet do sound more pleasant than folks who repeat stock phrases like trained parrots. I once chatted with a Muslim who was giving out information about Islam. He knew a lot (such as about Deism). He was genuinely curious about my lack of faith - not judgmental at all, just something that he found hard to imagine for himself.
Load More Replies... Sathe Wesker 4 days ago
I wear a pentacle, I am a pagan, I would definitely use the “sacrifice to the old gods” route. That one legit made me laugh.
Kristal 4 days ago
I was raised in the Mormon church and I always disagreed with proselytizing, even when I was little and didn't even know the word for it. I just never thought we should bother people at their home. Now, I went the legal route of membership removal, changed my name and moved to another country. Granted ... the rest happened for other reasons but hey, keeps them afar lol I think that if you have to force your religion down someone's throat in the hopes they like it ... that it's not anything good to begin with.
Trisec Tebeakesse 4 days ago
"NO TRESPASSING" "NO SOLICITORS" Are you in an open-carry state? Answer the door with a pistol on your hip. Otherwise, carry a machete.
Livingwithcfs 4 days ago
I was in the 'church' and attempted to resign. Even told them at the temple that it's a cult. Still no luck. I now just shut tge door in there face after telling them to buss off.... or words to that effect
Chich 4 days ago
I have had Mormons, JWs, twofers etc drop by in the past. I've had them in and after talking for a bit a few have left questioning their religion and with a list of suggested reading material. I just take the line that if you cannot openly question your beliefs then they don't have much substance.
Greenmantle 4 days ago
My friend hangs a sheep skull and pentagram on the front door. They stay away. Me? Answering the door naked worked.
Zophra 4 days ago
Is there ANY religion that isn't male dominated? I thought perhaps Sikh, but I'm not even sure on this one.
Anxiousguest 4 days ago
Hinduism originally was equal for men and women. But in the past one or two centuries , some sick men made it male dominant. Now it's again getting back to equality, but very slowly
Load More Replies... Lene 1 day ago
I've only ever met mormons out in the public sphere and it was easy (!!!) to get them to go away. I just told them that I have the Book of Mormon at home and when I have read it I will want to talk with them (I studied religion at the uni so I got plenty of sacred books from diff. religions. Also, my "wanting" to talk with them would be very much questioning why this makes sense to them and why not *other religion* instead. I have "converted" a religious person to science before. Didn't mean to do that, I swear!). Whenever I have had JW come to my door I have started by saying that I'm not even a Monotheist. Most JW-groups will stay the f away from you if you are too hard work (as in making a polytheist become a monotheist). If that doesn't help I will politely (but firmly) tell them to put me in their black book. Once, when I did this, the women who had come to me looked SHOCKED! And they said "but we WILL come back when you have moved away!" And yeah.... I don't care about that. Lol
Carilyn Beverly 1 day ago
I was born in the US but raised overseas. Dad was one religion, while my mom had been born and raised Mormon. We had been there (Europe) for quite a few years, then suddenly, like completely out of the blue, my mom was being reached out to, through The Church. (Mormons have "Home Visiting Teachers" that will stop by and check in on you, pray with you, ect.; not to mention the missionaries!) Even now, at 41, I do not understand, nor do I trust, The Mormon Church (not that I trust any Church - I am more spiritual than religious) but I always found the Mormon Faith quite odd and very hypocritical!
zovjraar me 2 days ago
when i have religious people show up, laugh and say (in my best Southern Belle voice), "oh honey, i'm an atheist" and shut the door still chuckling.
Juanita Sullivan 2 days ago
Ex Mormon here. I had a great laugh at the suggestions as to how to get rid of them. I had myself removed from the church membership rolls legally. I moved from the area as I wanted to come back to Nova Scotia anyway. In the 17 years I've been back I've only seen missionaries once at my door. I have a sign on my door that specifically says no sales people of any kind and that includes religion. They knocked anyway. I opened the door and before they could get a word out I asked them what part of sign they don't understand. They just turned and walked away.
Anne Nyheim 2 days ago
Mom was a hobby viking, she did the entire thing with the clothes and travelling to markeds in a tent and knew everything about our ancestors (we live in Norway). Every time she got missionaries on the door she invited them in to tell her about Jesus, but only if she could tell them about Odin in return. Also, as a well-read atheist, she knew her bible better than most people, especially those parts that most christians skip, like the story of the prophet who was bullied by children and made god send lots of bears to eat all the children in the village he was visiting. And if you have clothing made from mixed fabrics you must give it to your priest
Ann Deluty 2 days ago
Last time some AH rang my doorbell is was a younger woman and an older woman. Younger flipped open an Old Testiment, read it out and asked me if I thought it was relevant to today. I said, "I'm sorry. I don't run my life according to Jewish Fairy Tales." End of discussion.
Heras buddy 2 days ago
My friend hasn't seen one since he wore the " Burn your local churh" t-shirt.
Cecilie Hammershøy 2 days ago
I got JW to stop coming by answering the door naked. My religions teacher at high school got put on the non visit list of JW, because she asked them to many questions they couldn't answer.
Heather Menard 3 days ago
I would have answered the door and said my prayers are answered. I finally get my threesome.
Doodles1983 3 days ago
Testicle or Pentagram door knocker. Or a bell that recites curses/spells or sounds like people doing it
Tonyah Mcanelly 3 days ago
I get them all the time from Jeahovas witness. I can look out the window with out them seeing me so i just go about my day. However i did grow up mormon. I am christian but i dont agree with their teachings. I founch a church I like that is literally no pressure. If you dont show up for a few sundays they check in on you to see if you are doing ok . The pastor has bible studies that involve drinking an occasional beer and smoking cigars. They are really good people who dont push their beliefs on you
Tommer Peterson 4 days ago
I got rid of Jehovahs Witness missionaries pestering me in my yard by going to the chicken coop, grabbing a hen that was destined for the pot, taking it to the chopping block and beheading it with my hatchet,
sweet emotion 4 days ago
I used to get monthly visits from the "other" sect (the one that sent out two clean-cut young men in white shirts and black pants, carrying pamphlets). Thank goodness for the peephole in my door - I could either ignore the knocking or prepare a story before opening the door. My favorite was "Sorry, I'm running late for my coven meeting, but you're welcome to come along. We always encourage converts."
Guess Undheit 4 days ago
If the same religious cultists repeatedly showed up at my door, they would get vegetable oil in the summer, or water in the winter. And I'd be filing harassment charges against them.
Rick Seiden 4 days ago
I just say, "I'm an atheist. Have a nice day," and close the door. I've thought about saying, "I'll listen to why you think I should believe in God if you listen to why I think you shouldn't, first." Or maybe, "If I told you why you shouldn't believe in God, would it change your mind?" and when they say, "No," reply, "Then you understand why you telling me why I should believe in God won't change my mind." (My son found a relationship with God in college, and I support him in that. He tried to convert me over breakfast. We ended with a list of questions I would need answers to if I were to consider believing in God again. I never got a response to any of those questions. My son is not the type of person to just let things go.)
n75mk9nk2n 4 days ago
I have a surprisingly effective way of getting rid of missionaries, but it's not for the faint-hearted and can occasionally require some time. But it's also polite and friendly rather than violent, so here goes. If someone of any faith shows up to evangelize/proselytize at my door, I will invite them in and offer them a bargain; they can talk about their faith as long as they want, but they have to agree to listen to me talk about mine afterwards, for equal time and with equal respect. Then I inform them that I am a Pastafarian and follow The Flying Spaghetti Monster (which happens to be true-ish). This has worked every time but once, and that 'once' actually turned into a pretty cool hour of chatting over tea. So, win/win.
Son of Philosoraptor 4 days ago
I've had a lot of problems with missionaries door knocking. I settled on either "we're a Buddhist house, have a great day" or "oh you're Mormon! Must be tough with the founder being crazy and talking to lizards and all that. I feel bad for you! Have a great day!"
T'Mar of Vulcan 4 days ago
In South Africa most people who live in the suburbs have motor gates and walls/palisades/electric fences/barbed wire. So when the JWs ring the bell at our motor gate, we look to see who it is and then ignore them.
Stacy Bender 4 days ago
We had a sign on the door that they had to pay us $20 to listen to them. When our friend had issues, he met them at the door with a leather pup play mask. He apparently keeps it just for situations like this.
Janelle Collard 4 days ago
The "How would you approach..." question needs a 5th choice: Don't answer the f'ing door! That's what I did when the missionaries used to show up at my house!
RM 4 days ago
I was maybe 10 or 11, we used to get a lot of Jehovah's Witnesses who could not understand that we were not interested. I had a recording of a rottweiler furiously barking that I would play when I saw them approaching the door, then open it a tiny crack to ask what they wanted. They always left pretty quickly once they heard it. After I moved into my current house I had them nearly every Sunday for about a year - those ones were got rid of when they were told, not too politely that the next time they appeared I would be reporting them to the police for harassment and would they kindly f-off and leave me alone. No more knocks at my door since.
Nitka Tsar 4 days ago
Thank Goodness they don‘t come around here. I have seen a Mormon only once, when our religion teacher in…. Around 11 grade invited them to speak with us. No, he didn‘t want to convert us. It was about seeing other religions. We asked them questions and talked about them and their religion later on. I think there is one of their churches in Hamburg… not sure though. We have rules that not even churches can disregard here. Scientology for example isn‘t recognized as a church here, as far as I know.
Heather W 4 days ago
I actually used to talk to the Mormons that came to my house. They would give long winded explanations of things, I would give them simplified examples. The last time 1 was taking notes. Then my daughter, then 4 years old, decided to strip down to her underwear and run around like a heathen. They excused themselves and never came back lol
quentariel 4 days ago
We don't get Mormon missionaries, but Jehovah's witnesses are wilding. In my previous apartment complex they realised that people just ignore them and don't open the door. So they often stood in the stairwell to wait people getting in or out. Once I almost got a freaking heart attack when I came from work and they waited silently in a dim hall to ambush me. Their go to question was "is God dead?" I was pissed, said no without thinking and rushed past them. Later I realised that their question was annoyingly clever, whether you answered yes or no, you acknowledged the existence of God and thus gave them permission to disturb you in the future.
Annik Perrot 4 days ago
I laughed when one of the commenters said "next time, open the door nude". My brother did do that in the 70s, to Jehovah Witnesses. Very effective, they never bothered him again.
Lynchamigsakta 4 days ago
I had jehovas ringing my door constantly for a while. Finally got annoyed enough to start opening the door semi nude, only took 2 times and they never rang my bell again
Scott Rackley 4 days ago
I got rid of JWs one time by smearing GFs lipstick on my lips, and answered the door buck naked holding one of her "toys" Then I asked them "Is baby pretty?" in a creepy voice.
Tamra 4 days ago
I'm at the point where I believe that traveling proselytizers should be illegal. I couldn't be more sick and tired of bible thumpers trying to push their beliefs onto every person they see. Enough already. Leave people the f**k alone.
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