Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on November 28, 2012 at 10:43pm

Well I think you handled that situation nicely. Why give them any of your time? You are busy. Your time is valuable.

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Permalink Reply by Humble Pie on November 29, 2012 at 2:35am

My response: "Does your Christian work include digging holes for these hazelnut trees? Because my soul would exalt in the Lord if I could go inside and watch some football while you ladies finished the landscaping."

Also, your sins are forgiven you my child. Go and sin no more.

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Permalink Reply by Sentient Biped on November 29, 2012 at 7:26am

Thanks for the comments.

There's always "next time".  "Next time" I'll probably do the same thing.  I don't owe them anything.  Not even the time of day.

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Permalink Reply by Pat on November 29, 2012 at 10:32am

You know, saying "Maybe" gave them just enough wiggle room where, to paraphrase the Terminator, "They'll be back."

I've always been tempted to put up a large NO TRESPASSING sign at the entrance to my driveway.

                                                           NO TRESPASSING

This includes Catholic Missionaries, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, other cult members, Tea Party activists, registered sex offenders, pedophiles (see Catholic Missionaries), and vacuum cleaner salesmen. Survivors will be prosecuted!

However, I figured I'd be labeled the neighborhood kook, so I haven't.

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Permalink Reply by Sentient Biped on November 29, 2012 at 10:42am

You are right.  I'm new in the area.  Properties are in the 2 to 5 acre range, so not too close by.  A couple of properties down, there is a family homeschooling their 5 small children.  I'm not wanting to stand out, I just want to be left alone.  If the church ladies come  by again, and I tell them again I'm too busy (which I am), I hope eventually they'll give up and try to plant their seeds on more fertile ground.  It's not a "plan", it's just I want to be left in peace.  If somebody wants to discuss tomatoes, or plums, or grapes, then I'm fine.

The thing here is I thought I would be more assertive.  Must be my age.

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Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on November 29, 2012 at 11:10am

Since we've moved here three years ago, we've had three such visitations from JWs.  On all three occasions, I identified myself as an atheist and proceeded to disabuse my guests of any credibility they might have with their assertions of supposed religious "fact."  I've been tolerant of their intrusion, but after multiple such intrusions, that tolerance is becoming strained.

When and if (and I think the former far more likely) they show up again, I may be tempted to ask them: "Why are you doing this?  I am an atheist, and I am far more certain of my position than I suspect you are in yours.  As Carl Sagan once famously said, 'I don't want to believe; I want to know,' and nothing of what you are promoting has anything near the certainty which science offers us.  Indeed, too much of it is demonstrably WRONG.

"I have no interest in pushing my atheism on you, and you have no chance of converting me ... NONE.  The arguments you put forward are old, and have all been discredited, and I seriously doubt any new arguments in your favor are forthcoming.  That said, is there any reason why your visits should continue?"

Whatcha think?

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Permalink Reply by Regina M on November 29, 2012 at 12:30pm

Ya know, I don't go up to random people and announce to them that I'm an atheist, or try to convert them in any way. The way I see it, it's nobody's bloody business what I do or do not believe in. The fact of the matter is, I just don't want the fight/struggle/antagonism/agony that would result. I just want to be left alone. I've had JW's and Mormons come up to me when I've been working outside and try to engage me (the Mormon dudes actually asked if they could help-I was trying to remove a weed-tree). I was polite and said "no, thank you" and that was that. I think a good old "I'm not interested, thank you," is just fine. Why does everything have to be a fight?

You didn't fail and you don't owe an apology to anyone. Move on, padawan.

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Permalink Reply by Sentient Biped on November 29, 2012 at 9:30pm

Thank you!

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Permalink Reply by Pat on November 29, 2012 at 12:52pm

Allow to express my take on these clowns, as I'm not near as tolerant and understanding as SB and Loren. They will take nothing short of "Get the flying f*ck off my property" as an answer.  Anything less, and it's like swatting flies at a picnic. No matter how hard you swipe, they keep coming back.

"I don't have the time or inclination." "Well, maybe later?" "Yeah, whatever." They'll be back.

"I'm an atheist and your doctrine is batshit superstition. Why would you want to keep coming here?" They'll be back.

I think it was Prince Metternicht, at the Congress of Vienna of 1815, who observed, "No one ever acts,  based on reality. Everyone acts, based on their perception of reality." Unless reality is clearly spelled out to them, such as a friend of mine did by chambering a round in a .12 gauge pump shotgun, they think anything short of "I'll have you arrested if you show up again," is an open invite to return. I'm not recommending the use of firearms (though, admittedly, it did work in his case). However, having one near when you tell them you'll have them arrested for trespassing wouldn't hurt.

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Permalink Reply by Sentient Biped on November 29, 2012 at 9:29pm

How about, "Come on in.  But I will only discuss religion while naked.  I find that leads to the most sincere discussions"

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Permalink Reply by Pat on November 30, 2012 at 6:30am

$5 will get you $10 they'd send a blind member back to convert you.

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Permalink Reply by booklover on November 30, 2012 at 5:00pm

Well hey!  At least you're giving them an option!  What if they say okay though... LOL

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