How can I keep religious witnesses away?

Gas prices must be getting to our JWs. I've been getting phone calls from the Kingdom Hall.

At my last house I actually enjoyed them coming to visit. They were always polite, would preach a little bit and we would always get into some discussion about some TEOTWAWKI event. For several weeks we talked about peak oil and things we could do to prepare. But when I was obviously busy they would drop off their pamphlets and leave. Maybe they just weren't agressive?

We used to live in the city and during elections, we got someone everyday wanting us to vote for thier person. I got tired of being interupted while making dinner and having to dry my hands, walk to the door for yet another politicial. Finally I told them we are communist and don't vote. It did the trick!

[QUOTE=suburbanite]Ask the nearest wiccan to scribe some kind of conspicuous wiccan protection sign on your driveway (the kind of thing that is supposed to repel evil spirits).
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Darn, you took my idea...Actually, what got them to stop coming to my house was me answering the door in full ritual garb (they were the silly ones to stop by on Candlemas, Feb. 2nd). They never came back, but now that I've moved, I guess I'll have to do it again...

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"Be the change you wish to see in the world." ~ Gandhi

"A mind once stretched by imagination, never regains its former dimensions." ~ Anonymous

If I see a sign that says no trespassing, I won't.

If I see a pentagram, I get excited, not "scared". At least this person isn't Mr. So and So Important Church Person Who Hasn't Set Foot In Church in 40 years and they are usually kind people.

Just put up the keep out signs, you'll be much further ahead...

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When I was going through my "religious studies" phase, I often invited these types in to chat. But what turned me off to them was that although I let them talk for hours about their religion, they would interrupt me if I started talking about my religion or asking theological questions about theirs. It was discouraging to me that they weren't as open minded or knowledgeable about their religion as I thought they would be...

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"Be the change you wish to see in the world." ~ Gandhi

"A mind once stretched by imagination, never regains its former dimensions." ~ Anonymous

I actually think their numbers have been shrinking quite a bit. I just don't see them as much as I used to.

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-Paul

"If women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." -Red Green

I used to have that problem, even with no trespassing signs they still came. Then one day they came I opened the door with an assault rifle in one hand, a beer in the other and dressed in camo. Before they could even open their mouth I told them to leave and never come back. Did the trick.

Hm, I have a Runestone at the end of my driveway, complete with Nordic Runes. We also live on a dead end road. I told my DH that the next time any religious solicitors show up, I'm going to tell them that I'm a pagan and the Runestone is my protection portal. If that doesn't work, I did have a 'Did you give blood today' sign at town that definitely worked. I try to respect everyone's religious beliefs but when you have to ask more than once for them not to visit, I have a problem with that.

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His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. ~Gene Hill~

I have a sign that says ''Day sleeper...please do not disturb''. It almost always works. My dogs & a double-barrel 12ga backs that up! I really don't care for uninvited visitors of any kind. I do sleep during the day.

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Freedom isn't Free

We don't get any witnesses anymore. It's the Baptists around here that are giving folks trouble. They sent teenagers to my elderly mother's house and she made the mistake of letting them come in for a few minutes. Now they keep coming back with the minister, even though she told them she's not interested. They built a new huge church, so I guess they're trying to drum up more business.

Since they are showing up when you are not at home, I would place a No Trespassing sign in a very visible spot.
Try contacting the local halls and letting them know that you are upset. They will generally be very respectful of your wishes and they appreciate the feedback.

Here it is JW and Mormons that canvas neighborhoods. I have never met anyone from either group who was not polite or respectful of my wish for privacy.
I've actually had very delightful conversations with both groups.

Been there, done this, Triana.

In fact, in the past, I welcomed the JW as long as they agreed t hat we would exchange information on our faiths and beliefs. Only had one gal take me up on it (come to find out, she'd gone to the same school as my mother). We talked about other things, too - child raising, politics, etc. When she took the time to listen, she discovered that my beliefs (as a non-Wiccan pagan) had a lot in common with her belief system...... the basic 'rules' are the same, it's the practice of the rules that differ. For about six months, we had a lively, equal share of ideas that was most refreshing. Didn't change either of our minds, but I'd like to think that at least one person understands pagans a little better now.

But you're right, a lot of people swallow whatever their preacher tells them whole and never bother to educate themselves about their own religion - and they loathe anyone who knows more (and can prove it!) than they about it!

~Falcon

I have friends who are JW and I finally asked; why do you insist on going door to door when it is obvious that people resent the intrusion.
She was shocked - it was her firm belief that people needed and Welcomed their visits. That is what she had always been told.

The best neighbours I've ever had were JW. One Christmas morn, we were snowed in and I phoned over to say that we weren't traveling and they didn't need to come over and feed my critters. I hadn't shopped and I mentioned that I was sorry to be missing my MIL's turkey dinner. I was planning on having spaghetti (sigh). A little while later, there was a knock on the door. It was my JW neighbour, holding a frozen turkey and a can of cranberry sauce. She said, "Just beccause we don't celebrate, we don't think anyone should go without." She couldn't quite go so far as to wish me Merry Christmas but that gesture meant so much.
Thye don't come around here much, but I always take a few minutes to listen.

The way I feel about this:

If I want to learn about something I will seek out the info I want.

When I want to learn about bees I took a class to get info- I did not need the bee-thumpers to come save me

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Mickey
Small town redneck in NC

just stick a nudist camp sign out front .
Or raise a pig and let her run around the place we havent had any trying to convert us since "breakfast" a 600 pound sow fell in love with one witness stuck her nose in his case then grabbed his pant leg and headed for the barn .
Big dogs work as do pentagrams

The last time JWs came to the house I was cleaning out the commercial rabbitry. I was in a back corner where the wheelbarrow didn't fit. When they pulled in I was dirty, walked out with two five gallon buckets of rabbit manure, and greeted them. If they wanted to talk to me they'd have to come in to work with me. Their message wasn't important enough to get their clothes dirty, I guess, because they left and haven't been back. That must have been five years ago.

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Robin

I'm a bit disappointed at the number of "meet them at the door with a gun" comments. As a gun owner myself, I would never consider such a thing. Yes, I keep the gun nearby in the even of an intrusion, but not in hand for a Witness. You wonder why people fight for Gun Controls? Look at the images you are putting out there. Didn't mean it that way? Go back and read what was posted... Think about how that sounds to someone who doesn't know any better.

I am a Baptist and have never had anyone "meet me at the door with a gun". If they did, I may be inclined to talks guns with them and admire their gun.

If someone don't want me there, that's fine, I'll leave, but a lot of people are gracious and thankful and actually like to be visited.

Don't be too discouraged stacy, this is a board with a lot of different people with different views, heck over in General Chat we had a discussion about if hard times came whether you would kill people over their cheerio's to steal them to feed your own family. Thankfully, that line of thought, along with the "meet 'em at the door with a gun" is the minority.

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I kinda like Moopups suggestion, 'cept I might add a big loud dog and maybe put a little shaving cream around his muzzle . Put a leash on him and make like your straining for all your worth to hold him back. Tell the visitors you don't know how long you'll be able to hold him. This'll give you a chuckle, make their day more interesting, and give 'em something to talk about. Everybody wins.

I guess the problem is that these are not our neighbors coming over to visit and get to know each other. This is important for country living. If you are anti-social you should POST this abnormality...and NORMAL people wont try to come make friends with you. The religious organizations that force or push people to go door to door and just vomit thier religious views are not getting much bang for their buck. I would say it was more counter productive actually. More people are turned off permenantly to a particular group due to a bad experience like this...the only way to talk religion and learn something is to have a personal relationship with the other and in this context you both can grow spiritually.
I went around collecting money door to door as a kid for missionaries to go spread the gospel around the world. People used to be very nice....got alot of juice and cookies....didnt collect alot of money!!! I'm glad I didnt meet some of these people writing here! (I'm sure they are glad they didnt see my smiling young face coming to their driveway either)---but if it was posted we never went in. Period.

OF