When the Mormans come a'knockin'

Originally Posted by Pamela

Elizabeth- THANK you for the WONDERFUL post about LDS missionaries!

I'll be upfront about this and say I am one of those LDS people and I went on a mission for 18 months (2 years for men and 1 1/2 years for women) and I have LEARNED SO MUCH during my mission. It changed who I was and my outlook on life. It was the TOUGHEST 1 1/2 years of my life but I would not miss one day of it. I still miss being a missionary and that was over 10 years ago!

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I understand your strong feelings toward the faith, I really do. That's why this is a question, not an accusation... can it not be just as effective to reach out to people in public places? Why does it have to be on their private property? It seems to me that those of the faith would want to practice it in such a way that it does not irritate folks or cause the faith itself to be ridiculed for practices like this.

To me, it seems like more of an Army recruiting effort than a gentle guidance to faith. Regardless of the fact that some of those in the faith really enjoy the experience, it really does seem to just majorly irritiate the majority of the rest of us. I'm trying to be honest (not combative) when I say I truly don't understand why the faith has to basically give us an ultimatum: open the door or we'll just keep coming! That practice alone leaves me no interest what-so-ever in even learning about this faith. It's doing the exact opposite of what it's intended to do, so I'm wondering what the answer to that is.

You know, I think in my previous post, I made a mistake, I don't think the people that came to my door were Morman's at all. I think they were Jehovah Witnesses. I would like to say I'm sorry to any Morman's who may have read my post, and taken offense.

Do you know what upsets me more than anything about all of this? Whether it's people knocking at your door that you don't want to talk to, or people on a university campus yelling out stuff that ultimately doesn't help their cause, or whatever... It gives all aspects of organized religion a bad name. Anything that is an infringement -- real or perceived -- on an individual's right not to have anything to do with religion gives religion a black eye -- and there's a lot about organized religion that does NOT deserve that. Sure, there's lots that does, but not everything! -- and it breaks my heart -- YES it does -- that so much that is good gets written off by people who have had bad experiences, because of the very public ways in which some people of religion come into their space.

Katspixiedust- the person you described was totally the type of guy that the morman kids knocked down. I wasn't even a Christian at the time and it felt good to have them correct him.

Pamela- Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. I haven't really had much of a connection with the LDS church, with the exception of a middle school friend who never talked about it. Generally I am confronted by Jehovah's Witnesses, who are often times more persistant. I had a manager whose family was JW and she was a great lady, so I hate to make generalizations there as well. The B'hai can be pretty persistant as well, although they don't generally come to your house- but they do offer tempting food and social events- same with Krishna folks. I always thought it would be funny if I went door to door with oatmeal cookies made from Quaker oats and tried to talk to people about the "inner light". I'd probably get the cops called on me!

One thing that I am interested in is the role of pastoral care in the LDS church. Do they have chaplains? If I were at the hospital and called to a visit with a Morman patient, what would be most beneficial to them? What is general Morman theology about God, Christ, and suffering? I suppose I could invite these young men in and ask about these things, when my house is cleaner and it isn't night time!

I'm not a religious person AT ALL but I do have respect for peoples religions. We don't get any where I live because we only have one door and to get to that door you have to meet my Doggy, and she doesn't really like strangers on her property.

Originally Posted by esrgirl

Katspixiedust- the person you described was totally the type of guy that the morman kids knocked down. I wasn't even a Christian at the time and it felt good to have them correct him.

Pamela- Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. I haven't really had much of a connection with the LDS church, with the exception of a middle school friend who never talked about it. Generally I am confronted by Jehovah's Witnesses, who are often times more persistant. I had a manager whose family was JW and she was a great lady, so I hate to make generalizations there as well. The B'hai can be pretty persistant as well, although they don't generally come to your house- but they do offer tempting food and social events- same with Krishna folks. I always thought it would be funny if I went door to door with oatmeal cookies made from Quaker oats and tried to talk to people about the "inner light". I'd probably get the cops called on me!

One thing that I am interested in is the role of pastoral care in the LDS church. Do they have chaplains? If I were at the hospital and called to a visit with a Morman patient, what would be most beneficial to them? What is general Morman theology about God, Christ, and suffering? I suppose I could invite these young men in and ask about these things, when my house is cleaner and it isn't night time!

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If you go to www.lds.org it will answer those questions you asked.

I am a newbie so sorry if I step on some toes.....

I am LDS technically. I have not been active in the church for about 7 years now. I do have them check in on me once in a while and I politely tell them thank you for your concern but I do not wish to go to Church right now it's not the path I am on. They usually leave with no problem

For some reason this thread has become a debate about religion. I think it's supposed to be helping a person who is not comfortable with people knocking on her door and how to politely tell them no thank you.

Here is what I do: I politely say, thank you I have my own religion. If they start to try and engage you or ask you questions.....Politely say, I appreciate the privacy you must know I am going to ask as this is a private matter.

If they still presist: Leave what you need to leave on the porch, I have a house to tend to. Thank you. Then shut the door.

Although this is NOT my way of getting away from them. I usually say nope sorry I was baptised mormon but I'm a pagan now because I believe in UNITY. If you would like to come in your more than welcome to but I must warn you, I have a very large dog and he doesn't care for men.

I had the benefit of living with a BAC (Born Again Christian) and a JW. The BAC would preach to me almost all the time. Thank God I only lived with him for about a month. After our family lost our house to bankruptcy, I rented a room in an apartment that also had a JW living there. I just told him I was catholic (at that time) and he left me alone. However, he started using my kitchen stuff so I had to put a lock on the cupboards. When I caught him and his friends smoking crack in the living room, that is when I started looking for another place to live.

I have a very low tolerance for people forcing their beliefs on other people. That is why I don't discuss politics. I have a NO SOLICITING sign on my door and that has detered them. And Yes, they are soliciting. They are soliciting their beliefs.

I will either answer the door nude or not at all. And believe me, no one wants to see me naked. Maybe that's why I'm still single....

Originally Posted by Whisky'sDad

I will either answer the door nude or not at all.

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That's just too funny!!

I don't know about Mormans but we do get quiet a lot of JW's Normally, I am polite and say I am "not interested" but I remember one time I pretended that the bath was running so I made a quick dash before they had the chance to say anything

I am a Christian but Travis is not. He is an atheist and if he answers the door when they come, he tells them that. I don't know what they're response has been but I know I just wouldn't answer the door. I have my beliefs that I was raised with through my church and I know Jehovah's won't change my beliefs either way.
One time though, they came to my parents and our dog, Max, was outside. A van full of Jehovah's came up and the guy GOT OUT OF THE CAR WITH THE DOG BEING THERE! Max has never bitten or tried to bite anyone. He is the most gentle dog. But when this guy started to approach the door, Max lunged at him and bite his pantleg. My mom called him and Max ran in and mom shut the door. I don't understand why the guy got out not knowing whether Max bit or not. It puzzles me

It is "invasive" for these people to come to your door. Just like it is invasive for the telemarketers to phone. But I still try to respect them as human beings, doing a job that they have signed up for according to their own belief system.

If it is not convenient, I just don't answer. If I do go to the door, I just say, politely, thanks, but I am not interested. And then close the door.

And please keep in mind, it is not the LDS church, or JW in general that is the issue. It is the way in which certain individuals choose to approach you. I have relatives who are LDS, and I have a very close friend who is JW. In the 5 years I have known her, she has only "proselytized" three times, and each time, I was able to just say, that is interesting, thank you for explaining that. And one time it was a issue that she really needed to explain her perspective about (we play together in a music group, and were planning a concert at a local church, and she was prohibited by her beliefs from entering the church. She explained her reasons, and then, felt satisfied that she had told us what she thought, and decided that the needs of our music group were more important, and now she happily plays in churches).

It really does no harm.

I agree that its inconvenient when these people knock at my door, BUT, they aren't doing it for fun. They are doing it because they truly believe that that is what God wants them to do. I do respect that, but I really don't want to listen to them either.
The last time JW's came to my door, I tried to give them a book from another Christian denomination. I said, I'll take your booklet if you take mine. They wouldn't even TOUCH the book and never came back.
For the last 4 years, I've lived over a bar - haven't seen them at all!

That's odd. When the missionaries go out trying to share information, they usually go out in pairs, and they certainly don't go out with young children in tow! I don't think they were there to proselytize. I think they were just passing by and the kids need to use the restroom.

The LDS church doesn't have chaplains (and everything I say refers ONLY to the LDS church, NOT the Reformed Church. Remember, there are two different groups out there calling themselves Mormons who believe, in a lot of cases, in VASTLY different ways. That is why members of the original church who recognize Brigham Young as a prophet are starting to refer to themselves more and more as LDS and not Mormon. We're trying to get away from that nickname), but if a LDS member were in the hospital and was in need of comfort, I'm sure they wouldn't mind a few kinds words and companionship from anyone, whatever religion they are.

We're fortunate in that every male member of our church from the age of twelve onward has the priesthood (except in extenuating circumstances). If we are sick or injured, our own fathers and brothers can bless us, or any pair of men from the church can come and do the same.

Comfort is comfort, love is love, mercy is mercy, no matter who it's coming from.

Ravyn...who's best friend is Bhuddist, who's other best friend is Agnostic, and who's sister is Jehovah's Witness. A proud LDS member since 1975, and still truckin'

I feel it is unfair to compare LDS missionaries to the JW people that come to your door. All the LDS people I have ever met in my life have been very worthy people that have "walked the walk and talked the talk". And they (the LDS missionaries) aren't out there in cars Starlie. The are on bicycles. They come to your door to share the gospel because they care about their fellow man.

Originally Posted by Gilly

I don't know about Mormans but we do get quiet a lot of JW's

Normally, I am polite and say I am "not interested" but I remember one time I pretended that the bath was running so I made a quick dash before they had the chance to say anything

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my cousin is a mormon and on a mission in east london. keep an eye out... lol

Originally Posted by maverick_kitten

my cousin is a mormon and on a mission in east london. keep an eye out... lol

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And what would that mission actually be Knocking on doors

Originally Posted by Oscarsmommy

I am a Christian but Travis is not. He is an atheist and if he answers the door when they come, he tells them that. I don't know what they're response has been but I know I just wouldn't answer the door. I have my beliefs that I was raised with through my church and I know Jehovah's won't change my beliefs either way.
One time though, they came to my parents and our dog, Max, was outside. A van full of Jehovah's came up and the guy GOT OUT OF THE CAR WITH THE DOG BEING THERE! Max has never bitten or tried to bite anyone. He is the most gentle dog. But when this guy started to approach the door, Max lunged at him and bite his pantleg. My mom called him and Max ran in and mom shut the door. I don't understand why the guy got out not knowing whether Max bit or not. It puzzles me

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My first hubby would be working outside in the yard, and the JW would pull all the way up the driveway in there Van and I mean way up we have almost 6 acres
We had a VERY small wiredhaired terrier named shorty and everytime they would go to get out of that van , my hubby would yell "Shorty don't bite those people" ,and they would just close the van door and go right back down that driveway, now does shorty sound all to mean to begin with, go figure

Originally Posted by ckblv

I feel it is unfair to compare LDS missionaries to the JW people that come to your door. All the LDS people I have ever met in my life have been very worthy people that have "walked the walk and talked the talk". And they (the LDS missionaries) aren't out there in cars Starlie. The are on bicycles. They come to your door to share the gospel because they care about their fellow man.

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Meaning the JW people don't?