Why to religious groups go door to door?

[CEDmom]

So I'm sitting here minding my own business DISing and doing other stuff on the computer while DH and DD are out running errands and the doorbell rings.

Against my better judgement I answered it. Who did it turn out of be but 3 girls from our local Baptist Church. Not wanting to be rude I listened to their introductions and then they asked if we belong to a church and I politely said yes and added we're not interested in changing. I started to close the door and one girl asked if she could ask me a question I said sure. She proceeded to ask if I died today do I know for sure whether I'd go to heaven . I replied that IMHO no one knows that for sure. She then offered some literature which I politely declined.

Does this kind of thing happen in other areas? I am always baffled by groups doing this. Do they honestly think people are sitting home saying "gee I hope some church group comes by today because I'm really in the market to join one".

I hope this post doesn't offend anyone. I believe everyone has the right to practice whatever religion they so choose.

 

[Divamomto3]

Originally posted by CEDmom
So I'm sitting here minding my own business DISing and doing other stuff on the computer while DH and DD are out running errands and the doorbell rings.

Against my better judgement I answered it. Who did it turn out of be but 3 girls from our local Baptist Church. Not wanting to be rude I listened to their introductions and then they asked if we belong to a church and I politely said yes and added we're not interested in changing. I started to close the door and one girl asked if she could ask me a question I said sure. She proceeded to ask if I died today do I know for sure whether I'd go to heaven . I replied that IMHO no one knows that for sure. She then offered some literature which I politely declined.

Does this kind of thing happen in other areas? I am always baffled by groups doing this. Do they honestly think people are sitting home saying "gee I hope some church group comes by today because I'm really in the market to join one".

I hope this post doesn't offend anyone. I believe everyone has the right to practice whatever religion they so choose.

Yes it happens here too. I usually get 2 guys from the Mormon Church. I wonder too if they have ever actually gotten converts that way. And especially here in this area teeming with Italian Catholics.

I'm sooooo offended by the "if you died today would you go to Heaven" thing. As if only one religion is saved and the rest of us are damned. It seems so cult like to me and it makes me crazy.

Putting on my flame retardant clothes.....

 

[doxdogy]

We don't have them in our neighborhood. My ex SIL was asked the same question years ago about going to heaven. She looked them straight in the eye and told them probably not and really didn't care either way. She said after that statement they left her alone and never came to their door again. She did say that she felt bad making that statement, but it was becoming a weekly occurence and was tired of explaining to the group that she had no desire to attend their church.

 

[SpecialK]

Most of the people who go door to door belong to religions that require them to actively witness/prostlytize their faith. I can deal with it as long as they're not pushy.

Had a discussion with a friend who has been saved. (We were both raised Catholic.) She was talking about the whole "getting into heaven" issue. So I asked her who would get into heaven according to her beliefs - a mass murderer who had then accepted Christ as his personal savior or a Jew who had lived an exlemplary life of good deeds. She said the murderer.

That's all I needed to hear. Don't get it. Don't want to.

 

[KristaTX]

I am sorry. I am a Christian who happens to attend a Baptist church. Our church doesn't do it, but I am so embarrassed by behavior like this. Knocking on the doors of strangers is ridiculous, at least here in our country in this day and age. Ramming your religion down the throat of someone with whom you have no relationship does nothing except alienate most people.

And yes, unfortunately, many religious groups still practice door-knocking. On behalf of the Christian religion, I apologize to any of you that have been subjected to this and offended.

Try to remember, though - these people are doing this because they probably really do care. Why else would they use their time to do something so embarrassing? If someone knocks on your door, and it feels like a surprise attack on you, please tell them that their method is having the opposite effect of what they want. Or, as some of my friends have done, gently have some fun with them .

 

[Disney Doll]

I have never understood it either. I have no problem with people practicing their faith. But I do think it's intrusive to bother me with it.

I had a person come to my door one day and when I said I wasn't interested in changing my religion, she very sarcastically asked me "Well, what exactly is it about your religion that's so great?" And I very sarcastically replied "Well, for one thing, I don't have to sell mine door to door."

Now, I just don't open the door.

 

[auntpolly]

I try to remember that they either have to do it or that they really believe they are doing the right thing. But I don't answer my door if I have any advance warning! What is it that makes me feel like they think they are better than me? They probably don't, but I always get that uncomfortable feeling.

 

[ennazus]

Most of the people who go door to door belong to religions that require them to actively witness/prostlytize their faith. I can deal with it as long as they're not pushy.

Ditto

We only have Jehovah Witnesses who go door to door in our area. Although I do see a Baptist church members standing on corners with signs & handing out brochures.

I'm Episcopalian and one of our priests was telling a story of when the JW knocked on his door. They asked him if he'd like to sit down with them for a Bible study. (of course they had no idea he was a priest.)

He said he would LOVE to sit down and discuss the Bible with them. He said he's study the Bible in Hebrew, Latin, English... this way & that way, and he'd LOVE to talk with them.

LOL!!!!!

 

[binny]

My dad ( a minister) LOVED it when people came to his door
He would always invite them in and then debate till the cows came home odd.... we didnt get many of those visitors


My mom said that m neighbour had a debate with some people came to the door while we were gone and started quoting the Bible at them, he knew more about it than they did

Lesson? If your going door to door make sure you know your stuff

 

[CEDmom]

Originally posted by KristaTX
I am sorry. I am a Christian who happens to attend a Baptist church. Our church doesn't do it, but I am so embarrassed by behavior like this. Knocking on the doors of strangers is ridiculous, at least here in our country in this day and age. Ramming your religion down the throat of somone with whom you have no relationship does nothing except alienate most people.

And yes, unfortunately, many religious groups still practice door-knocking. On behalf of the Christian religion, I apologize to any of you that have been subjected to this and offended.

Try to remember, though - these people are doing this because they probably really do care. Why else would they use their time to do something so embarrassing? If someone knocks on your door, and it feels like a surprise attack on you, please tell them that their method is having the opposite effect of what they want. Or, as some of my friends have done, gently have some fun with them .

I don't want anyone to feel badly that people representing their faith are doing this. It doesn't bother me more than any other type of solicitation. I just find it odd and inaffective if the goal is to "recruit" members.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I agree that the pushy style and questions about my faith are a turn-off. If I say I have a church and I'm happy, that should be enough to end the conversation.

I an an Episcopalian, too. My old church used to go door-to-door on occassion, but just to give people a loaf of bread and invite them to services. It was more of a "we want you to know we are in the neighborhood and if you don't have a church come see us sometime" kind of visit. Most people seemed to like getting the loaf of bread. If anyone didn't want to talk to us, we just smiled and told them to have a nice day.

 

[Divamomto3]

Originally posted by SpecialK
Most of the people who go door to door belong to religions that require them to actively witness/prostlytize their faith. I can deal with it as long as they're not pushy.

Had a discussion with a friend who has been saved. (We were both raised Catholic.) She was talking about the whole "getting into heaven" issue. So I asked her who would get into heaven according to her beliefs - a mass murderer who had then accepted Christ as his personal savior or a Jew who had lived an exlemplary life of good deeds. She said the murderer.

That's all I needed to hear. Don't get it. Don't want to.

Ugh, I'm with you!
Heaven is for the people who live the good life, not the ones who go into the "right" brick building on Sunday.

 

[auntpolly]

Originally posted by MerryPoppins
I agree that the pushy style and questions about my faith are a turn-off. If I say I have a church and I'm happy, that should be enough to end the conversation.

I an an Episcopalian, too. My old church used to go door-to-door on occassion, but just to give people a loaf of bread and invite them to services. It was more of a "we want you to know we are in the neighborhood and if you don't have a church come see us sometime" kind of visit. Most people seemed to like getting the loaf of bread. If anyone didn't want to talk to us, we just smiled and told them to have a nice day.

It's kind of a shame we don't do more stuff like this anymore. In the old days when you moved to a new community the priest would stop by and welcome you to the parish and bless your house. I haven't seen that done in awhile. A loaf of bread and a "welcome" -- that sounds nice!

 

[KimR]

This doesn't happen nearly as much as it used to around here. Maybe they are getting the message that people find it intrustive and it is not a very good way to represent their faith. I used to have people (strangers) approach me at the mall, grocery store, at school...even one time on my way into a club. I find it very intrusive and I'm not about to talk to a complete stranger about my religious beliefs any more than I would talk to them about any other personal aspect of my life. I mean, really, how many people would consider walking up to a stranger and asking them how happy they are in their marriage...same thing, IMO.

 

[ZachnElli]

I just moved to a new area that has a large Mormon population. I learned that the Mormons have to spend a year right after high school doing missions, which is the door to door visits. I don't mind as long as they are polite and will accept that I am not interested in changing religions. I haven't experienced it yet, but we will see.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

I actually met some of these people outside a movie theater of all places.It was right after Passion of the Christ opened but I had made plans to see something else.They were trying to talk people into seeing Passion but I just told them I was meeting people elsewhere and they left me alone(good thing they did not ask what movie,it was Hellboy)

 

[*Fantasia*]

This is how I see it. When they knock on my door, it is GOD saying "Just reminding you that I am still here for you, keep in touch." This is when I know I have missed some Sunday Mass and I have been slacking on my prayings.

Now that I have stumbled over this thread, to me this is again another way of God probably reminding me that HE is still here with me and I need to keep in touch with HIM. That is just my thinking.

 

[goofy4tink]

Originally posted by *Fantasia*
This is how I see it. When they knock on my door, it is GOD saying "Just reminding you that I am still here for you, keep in touch." This is when I know I have missed some Sunday Mass and I have been slacking on my prayings.

Now that I have stumbled over this thread, to me this is again another way of God probably reminding me that HE is still here with me and I need to keep in touch with HIM. That is just my thinking.

What a nice sentiment. I like that. We lived across the street from a woman who is active in the JW church. Her 'people' would meet at her house on Sat. mornings to start their 'missionary' work. Never once came to our house. Seems she didn't want to alienate her neighbors.

I would have told that person that I sure am going to heaven, no doubt in my mind...lots of family waiting for me. In our church, also Episcopalian, we loaf those who have attended church for the first time. We ask that they sign the visitors book and then someone takes them a fresh homemade loaf of bread to welcome them. No talk, no evangelizing. Just a loaf of bread and good-bye..thanks for visiting our church. I figure that most people can find a church if they want. And it seems there is a lot of 'church shopping' going on. No need for door to door evangelizing.

 

[MelessaG]

Originally posted by *Fantasia*
This is how I see it. When they knock on my door, it is GOD saying "Just reminding you that I am still here for you, keep in touch."

Thank you for that sweet thought. I am a Latter-Day Saint and spent 18 mos. on a mission. I hated knoocking on people's doors as I am normally a painfully shy person, but volunteering to be a missionary meant stepping out of my comfort zone. Going door-to-door was kind of a 'last resort' activity when other opportunities for teaching weren't available to us. As missionaries, we were required to do at least 40 hours of teaching per week. This was best done through appointments with people who were sincerely interested in learning more about our church. However, these appointments don't happen without work on our part and the part of members in our area. So, when we don't have appointments, we have to go looking for them. Fortunately, in Europe people still tend to congregate in "center" of the city, and much of my time was spent at a display board there where people had a choice as to whether or not they wanted to stop and talk to us. You would be surprised at how many lost and lonely people there are in the world who were happy to have us come to their door and share a little of God's love with them. I can honestly say no one joined the church simply because I knocked on the door, but I have many fond memories of people whose burdens I was able to lighten-even if only for a half-hour or so, just by being in the right place at the right time. Having said that, I NEVER walked into someone's house and told them they were "wrong" and though I am always kind to those going door to door in my neighborhood, I will cut-short my visits with anyone who starts taking our conversation in that direction.

 

[Talking Hands]

We usually get the Mormons and Jehovah's Witness around here. I am So Bapt and we are not encouraged to go door to door to witness. Instead it is actually discouraged unless a person has actually visited the church and then a member will visit to bring more information about our church and leave them some cookies as a gift.