Religious Question

[Zundfolge]

For Christians, its basically the one job we're given by a guy that created an infinite and expanding universe from nothingness.

Matthew 28:16-20

Furthermore, if you honestly believed you'd found the answer to life's questions (in addition to a way to avoid an eternity of torment) wouldn't you want to share it? Frankly if religious people DON'T share their faith, that seems like a bit of a dick move to me ... they get to go to paradise, but because they're lazy or whatever they let me go to hell?

Don't let it bother you ... if you're not interested simply stop them and say "Thanks, but I'm not interested" and shut the door.

For the record I'm one of those dicks that is too lazy to share my faith and try to save your sorry butt

[Irving]

If there isn't a sign on your door stating that you don't want to talk to them, then you have nothing to complain about. I notice that people tend to act like they are the only ones whose door has ever been knocked on. How much of an inconvenience is it really?
I'd rather politely tell someone that I'm not interested in speaking with them, than say...wait on the cable guy to show up at my house within a 3-5 hour window.

[roberth]

I politely turn them away, except one time I told the two guys that I was the devil. They left quickly.

Some people like religion and that's ok with me. I don't like religion and that's ok with most of them.

[theGinsue]

It's funny but the pastor at my church actually hates the term religion. His outlook is we need to be spiritual with our lives and that's what makes us Christians in the real sense of the word.

I had the same situation at the church I used to attend. According to that pastor, if someone was "religious", they had a loyalty to a specific denomination - not to God. The problem was, according to him, that a Satanist, Pagan, Wiccan, etc. person could ALSO be classified as "spiritual", so that term was out. Kinda made it difficult to discuss things.

[theGinsue]

Some people live hard lives and find "religion" and they want to share it.
Some people have a traumatic experience where "faith" got them through.
Some people had "miracles" and it changed their life for the better.
Some people....

I believe in God. I believe that there is ONE God and His name is Jesus Christ, who came to this earth in human form to take our sins to teh cross once and for all. But I do not go out and knock on peoples doors and force feed 'em my personal beliefs... If people have questions, they can ask. I might throw some stuff out there now and then when I'm with a good friend and they are desperate or serisouly looking, but I don't force anything.

It's my personal beliefs. Some people think my beliefs are cultish, I think some others beliefs are cultish...

I don't know what I'm trying to say, just thought I'd post something.

If you don't take offense, great. If you do take offense, then keep on scrolling down and ignore me. Nothing to fight about.

God Bless All. People can and do change.

+1 (Me too)

[iamhunter]

If there isn't a sign on your door stating that you don't want to talk to them, then you have nothing to complain about. I notice that people tend to act like they are the only ones whose door has ever been knocked on. How much of an inconvenience is it really?
I'd rather politely tell someone that I'm not interested in speaking with them, than say...wait on the cable guy to show up at my house within a 3-5 hour window.

Good for you Stu.

I've never gone door to door, nor do I plan to.

But I've had mormons, Jehovahs, etc. come up to my door on more than one occassion.

I usually say I'm not interested, see if they'd like a water bottle or something, and send them on there way.

I'm not interested in what they have to say, but I respect the fact that we live in a nation where they have the right to say it, and I acknowledge the fact that they usually do believe they have the path to salvation, and -- atleast in their minds -- are sincerely trying to help people.

[theGinsue]

We had some Jehovah's witnesses going around the neighborhood stopping at every door, I was in the garage cleaning guns with the door open... they saw me in there racking slides and walked right by.

Growing up, I lived in rural MO. We used to have the Witnesses show up @ 1000 Sunday mornings - about once a month.

Now, I don't know if this is JW wide or not but back in MO, the JW's didn't like women to wear pants, didn't believe in drinking alcohol, smoking, or firearms.

One day they show up andmy mom met them at hte door wearing blue jeans, 38 tucked into her waistband, smoking a cigarette and swigging a beer.

That was the shortest (and last) visit they ever made to our home.

[theGinsue]

Good for you Stu.

I've never gone door to door, nor do I plan to.

But I've had mormons, Jehovahs, etc. come up to my door on more than one occassion.

I usually say I'm not interested, see if they'd like a water bottle or something, and send them on there way.

I'm not interested in what they have to say, but I respect the fact that we live in a nation where they have the right to say it, and I acknowledge the fact that they usually do believe they have the path to salvation, and -- atleast in their minds -- are sincerely trying to help people.

+1

I've gone door-to-door for my former church. I've had everything from a warm reception to outright threats. A simple "not interested" would have sufficed.

[Tim K]

For Christians, its basically the one job we're given by a guy that created an infinite and expanding universe from nothingness.

Matthew 28:16-20

Furthermore, if you honestly believed you'd found the answer to life's questions (in addition to a way to avoid an eternity of torment) wouldn't you want to share it? Frankly if religious people DON'T share their faith, that seems like a bit of a dick move to me ... they get to go to paradise, but because they're lazy or whatever they let me go to hell?

Don't let it bother you ... if you're not interested simply stop them and say "Thanks, but I'm not interested" and shut the door.

For the record I'm one of those dicks that is too lazy to share my faith and try to save your sorry butt

That was well said. I'll add this: most of the folks who knock on my door are there because it's a formal requirement of their belief system. I generally invite them in, confuse the crap out of them, and send them on their way. It's fun in a spiteful mean spirited sort of way and I usually feel guilty for it. Around here, it's mostly Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons who come to the door, and both of those systems are generally regarded as cults. Most mainstream Christian denominations recognize the futility and ineffectiveness of that approach and don't encourage it.

Occasionally, I'll get approached by some right hearted Christian who wants to tell me about the great thing that they have that they'd like to offer me too. Since I already have it, I give them an "attaboy" and send them on their way as well.

Honestly, if it's not the JW's or Mormons, you ought to feel flattered. If it is one of them, you might consider how hard it is to get the door slammed in your face a hundred times a day. They're not evil people, they're just misguided.

[jim02]

I would like to ask, is this the same way you feel when some kid knocks to sell cookies/junk or the guy knocks to sell you steaks out of his truck and all the others that knock to sell stuff?

Is this a pefect example of a free Republic, I have the right to come to your house and ask you a question and you have the right to answer no if you so choose.
As long as there is no trespassing or harassment I see nothing wrong with those who wish to sell you faith, cookies, magazines or any thing else they want.