How can I keep religious witnesses away?

FreightTrain · #21 04/30/07, 08:33 PM

break out the guns!!!... my 71 year old neighbor was being harassed by Mormons, over n over they kept showing up and were pushy and wouldn't leave... she got out her 38 and swears they literally dove off her deck to run away!! never came back either!

Spinner · #22 04/30/07, 08:36 PM

2 BIG dogs. Works for me.

morrowsmowers · #23 04/30/07, 08:49 PM

If a church is really doing its job and meeting peoples needs word will spread and people will be drawn to it.

If you have to advertise your church all the time ask yourself whats wrong that people want to avoid it -- be honest .....

People sought out the Lord all the time in the Bible, He didn't need to advertise because He met the needs of people where they were.

I have no need for people to come to my door for any reason and get rid of them as quickly as possible. Our area has no solicitation ordinances yet they come. We have a posted sign, still they come. We have 2 loud dogs, some still come. I witness to a few of the zealots that come and its funny, the truth scares them off!!!

Ken in Glassboro, NJ

pcdreams · #24 04/30/07, 09:00 PM

I just tell them I'm Wiccan (I am).. If they choose to come in then they see what they see.

#25 04/30/07, 09:14 PM

Ask them if you join their Church if you can still have sexual relations with your sister.

KimE · #26 04/30/07, 09:20 PM

Around here the JW's have started showing up with the entire family so we feel guilty about being rude in front of their little ones. What really irks me is they show up at 8:00 a.m. when I'm feeding the critters and the kids always run to the pasture to pet the horses. While I don't mind people petting them, the nipping foals make me nervous and I have to continually ask them not to without me being there. Last time of the kids climbed in the stallion lot; even though our boy is very well behaved, he's still a stallion and its breeding season. I was not too happy.

Oh, and unfortunately a long driveway doesn't discourage them; ours is over 800 ft, full of BIG holes that you can lose a car in and often has poo on it from riding down it to get the mail.

NJ Rich · #27 04/30/07, 09:25 PM

I put up a small sign next to the door bell. I just says, "No Witnesses". They know not to "ring". I respect everyones beliefs but they need to respect mine also. I have two friends that are "Witnesses". It is amazing that they all seem to know the person I name.

They know that whatever they say they have no chance of changing my beliefs. All of them respect my beliefs and leave. If they want to leave some literature for "free" that's OK. No, I don't pay for it.

Life goes on ............. Live and let ...........

seedspreader · #28 04/30/07, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CGUARDSMAN

don't know about the laws in Ohio but in MO "distributing pamphlets most certainly is solicitation under our statutes and if the property is posted against it a complaint and charge can be brought against the distributor. i am firmly southern baptist and the JW were coming by my place during the day when my wife was sleeping(works nights) we posted our property and now don't hear from them of course a couple times being met at the door by our bull mastiff helped

umm, actually it's federally been declared unconstitutional to have ordinances against such... Ohio had such laws also.

http://www.ohiocitizen.org/about/can.../religious.htm

Quote:

WASHINGTON, Jun 18, 2002 (The Christian Science Monitor via COMTEX) -- Door-to-door solicitors advocating religious or political views have a right to spread their ideas anonymously without having to consult beforehand with government officials.

In a significant First Amendment decision announced Monday, the US Supreme Court struck down an ordinance enacted by a small Ohio town that required the prior registration of traveling salesmen, religious proselytizers, political activists, and anyone else seeking to go door to door.

The 8-to-1 decision supporting a challenge to the ordinance by the Jehovah's Witnesses is important because it establishes that the Constitution's free-speech guarantees include the right to speak to one's neighbors or solicit in a community without first obtaining government permission.

"It is offensive - not only to the values protected by the First Amendment, but to the very notion of a free society - that in the context of everyday public discourse a citizen must first inform the government of her desire to speak to her neighbors and then obtain a permit to do so," writes Justice John Paul Stevens for the majority.

thequeensblessing · #29 04/30/07, 09:59 PM

I often invite the JW's in for a doctrinal discussion when they come knocking. The last time they came by, they stayed and we discussed for over an hour. They haven't been back since.

And I was so enjoying our discussion too!

I invited them to come back anytime too.

**Cabin Fever** · #30 04/30/07, 10:01 PM

You could make a sign that says something like:

Solicitors are welcome here
except for religious witnesses.

chamoisee · #31 04/30/07, 10:30 PM

You could just hang a sign that says, "No religious solicitors please, I have my own beliefs, thank you for respecting them."

JW's tend to be pretty respectful. They spend their own money on the magazines, and aren't inclined to waste them if they know that there is absolutely no hope whatsoever of winning you over.

seedspreader · #32 04/30/07, 10:41 PM

I agree, just a sign saying something along those lines and I think MOST people would follow your wishes.

Christiaan · #33 04/30/07, 11:38 PM

A simple "No Soliciting" sign posted at the end of your drive is all you need. Anyone who ignores the sign can then be prosecuted for trespassing. Governments can't infringe free speech, you however can control it on your own property.

Dec429 · #34 04/30/07, 11:50 PM

When they ask to speak to you about their beliefs, simply tell them they will have their say after you do the same.

If that does not work, tell them if they stick around (well, this works in my case) your husband will cook breakfast!

Don and Dennis

paulaswolfpack · #35 05/01/07, 12:20 AM

Yes maybe a big sign saying you are cathiolic or that you are a wician post 3-4 of them up the drive and on the door for me I have 2 big wolf dogs so that works as noone can get up to my door and before they turn into the drive my babies have already told me someones on thier way up I also come to the door half nekid and this big women can scare them away with just that,paula

Jan Sears · #36 05/01/07, 01:16 AM

I saw a sign once that said:
NO TRESPASSING - TRESPASSERS WILL BE SHOT.
SURVIVORS WILL BE SHOT TWICE!!!

Junkmanme · #37 05/01/07, 01:39 AM

Sound Familiar?

Leviticus chapters 8-10 inclusive.

worth the time to read...........

LOVE to real good folks........
HELL to the others.........

just a bid of theological and life reality.....

I don't know, either........
Bruce

moldy · #38 05/01/07, 03:17 AM

I'm not sure, but I think it is illegal to leave any matherial other than mail in or on a mailbox. check with your postmaster and that may get rid of that bit. If they are coming to your door, I don't know. Maybe a sign inviting them back (so you can see who it is), then tell them you never want to see evidence of them on your property again or you will prosecute to the extent of the law.

oz in SC · #39 05/01/07, 06:12 AM

I just talk to them,I even give them money for their magazines....it isn't really THAT big of a deal.

Perhaps if people weren't so ready to be offended this wouldn't actally be an 'issue'...

I even complimented them on their new church,over the Easter weekend people came from all over to rebuild it.

I found that to be very neighborly and thoughtful.

lunagardens · #40 05/01/07, 06:52 AM

We live on a dead end road and receive the "flyers" all the time. I spray painted in gold, a Wiccan pentagram on the shed side towards the road- for a totally different reason. One morning I saw their van pull in & park at the roads beginning as I headed out to feed the animals. I was standing in the pen with the goats when the group was on their way back towards their van. One of the children they had with them said "what about this house?" The woman said "no not that one. We do not go to those houses".
I also have a grapevine wreath which I placed on the front door. It has a 5 point star made into it with sticks- makes it look like a pentagram.
I no longer get visits or flyers.
I wonder why?