This really upset me

[KendraDZ1902]

Last night my husband and I got a knock on the door. I was speaking to my grandmother so he answered. It was a couple who came to bother us. My husband told them we were Catholic and happy. The guy was like, “Oh I used to be Catholic,” and started his anti-Catholic speech. My husband was confirmed early in the RCIA process and then left for a deployment, so he has never had to deal with people coming to bother us. I don’t know what the deal is with the area I live in, but since we moved here, people knock on our door all the time. I have stopped answering the door. My poor husband is standing at the door with his mouth wide open in total shock that this guy is saying this stuff to him. So, I got off the phone, went to the door, and started defending our faith and they started yelling. I told them that they came to my house. I didn’t come looking for them and not to yell. She yelled again and I slammed the door in their faces.

How do I deal with this? Why do people feel the need to come to people’s houses and yell at them? I was so upset afterwards that I was shaking. This winter I had Mormons who would come by almost weekly, when I did open the door, they never yelled. It was like since we weren’t letting them dog our faith that we were wrong.

 

[coachdennis]

You must not have been raised in the Northeast – we know better than to open our doors to anyone

In all seriousness, not answering the door is the best policy. These “evangelizers” want you to fight with them, in fact they rejoice in this because it just confirms in their minds that they are right because they are being persecuted.

Don’t give in to them! Don’t fall into the trap! Tell your husband not to answer the door.

 

[KendraDZ1902]

You must not have been raised in the Northeast – we know better than to open our doors to anyone

In all seriousness, not answering the door is the best policy. These “evangelizers” want you to fight with them, in fact they rejoice in this because it just confirms in their minds that they are right because they are being persecuted.

Don’t give in to them! Don’t fall into the trap! Tell your husband not to answer the door.

No, we both grew up in the South. lol. I explained to him last night what went on while he was gone. We moved here a week before he left. While he was gone I tried not to tell him anything that would make him worry. He now understands that people are crazy around here. lol.

They think they are the ones persecuted? Wow, they should have been on our end.

 

[NHInsider]

If you want to engage them, it’ll help if you know which version of altered Christianity they’re selling. Different challenges work against different errors.

But if you want to avoid the whole thing, not answering the door is probably your best option.

Or you could keep a crucifix and some holy water by the door, and as soon as they start, sprinkle them and hold the crucifix up and start praying, preferably in Latin. That should scare them away . . .

Sally

 

[anruari]

If you want to engage them, it’ll help if you know which version of altered Christianity they’re selling. Different challenges work against different errors.

But if you want to avoid the whole thing, not answering the door is probably your best option.

Or you could keep a crucifix and some holy water by the door, and as soon as they start, sprinkle them and hold the crucifix up and start praying, preferably in Latin. That should scare them away . . .

Sally

LOL that’s funny. Not sure it’s the most charitable thing to do though…

My sister is a militant Athiest. Frankly shes what I would describe as an Evangelical Athiest: I’m sure you know what I mean even if that is an oxymoron.

In her case she opened the door one day to a couple of young JW’s. so she invited them in for a cup of tea to discuss whatever they wanted…

They left in floods of tears. Later an “elder” came by to complain that my sister had greatly upset them and challenged their faith. She pointed out that she only discussed the topics that they raised, and they came to her door.

For some strange reason the JW’s never knocked on her door again.

I have also had success in this matter in defending the catholic faith to JW’s. I invite them in for a cuppa, and completely turn the tables on them. I invite them to the local RCIA programme. I’ve not been successful in getting any converts yet, but I’ve found I have fewer mornings when I get a knock on the door.

 

[St_Francis]

Ex-Catholics can be the worst! They feel the most need to justify their leaving the Church and so can be very obnoxious!!!

If I had any idea which ecclesial community they came from, I would call and suggest they train their people better before sending them out!

I used to have a JW lady come around every few weeks. I had two small children and was hapoy for some company, so we’d hang out for a bit. I would ask what I hoped were thought-provoking questions, esp when she started bring young people around who were being trained. Don’t know of anything came of my questions, but it was the most I could do!

When we moved here, my daughter and I talked with them. I guess they figured out that we were “totally brainwashed” and they never returned!

Last night my husband and I got a knock on the door. I was speaking to my grandmother so he answered. It was a couple who came to bother us. My husband told them we were Catholic and happy. The guy was like, “Oh I used to be Catholic,” and started his anti-Catholic speech. My husband was confirmed early in the RCIA process and then left for a deployment, so he has never had to deal with people coming to bother us. I don’t know what the deal is with the area I live in, but since we moved here, people knock on our door all the time. I have stopped answering the door. My poor husband is standing at the door with his mouth wide open in total shock that this guy is saying this stuff to him. So, I got off the phone, went to the door, and started defending our faith and they started yelling. I told them that they came to my house. I didn’t come looking for them and not to yell. She yelled again and I slammed the door in their faces.

How do I deal with this? Why do people feel the need to come to people’s houses and yell at them? I was so upset afterwards that I was shaking. This winter I had Mormons who would come by almost weekly, when I did open the door, they never yelled. It was like since we weren’t letting them dog our faith that we were wrong.

 

[adf417]

You can avoid them or you can choose to become more confident in your faith and then you will be seeking them out!

I only wish they would knock on my door now that I know the true teaching and history of the Church. It can be fearful when an outsider, or family member, bashes your faith and you don’t know what to do or say but you can overcome this fear with knowledge.

Peace!!!

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

I
Or you could keep a crucifix and some holy water by the door, and as soon as they start, sprinkle them and hold the crucifix up and start praying, preferably in Latin. That should scare them away . . .

LOL I like this advice. Who knows, holy water could cause some serious change of heart in them.

 

[Ophelia23]

I have a little sign next to my door that says,

“All in this house are glad to be Catholic. Be blessed on our doorstep, be blessed as you enter.”

That gets the message out pretty clearly to whomever that they are welcome to my home for discussion if they so wish, but most people who see that take it as a hint that I’m not interested in their alternate “religion”.

Or, you could do what my cousin used to do. If a Jehova’s Witness knocked on her door, she would say “I’m so sorry, but I’m in the Witness protection program.” …That usually either caused a laugh or it brought the end of the discussion.

No matter how you handle the situation, please remember that whomever it is knocking at your door (or telemarketing the family during dinner time…oye!) that they are a real person, also made in the image of God and worthy of kindness and respect. You can be very firm while also remaining very kind.

EDIT: I somehow missed the part where they were yelling at you. I will reiterate my statement that you can be very firm while remaining kind. I have been in a similar situation to yours. It is quite upsetting to have someone in your home raising their voice at you because of your beliefs. Very upsetting indeed. To use the term they would teach you in a call-center environment, try not to be “hooked” by them. That is, they get you upset and you also begin throwing insults–that’s no good. Simply say, “Thank you. You need to leave now.” This is YOUR house and you are in control of it.

 

[chero23]

You did the right thing, you stood up for the truth. Now slamming the door on them was brilliant. The reason I say this bc as your states, they began to scream. That’s your house, nobody aside from you and your husband has the right to yell in that house.

Yesterday as I was going to work, 3 ladies were knocking on ppls door. I was in a hurry, and 1 says are you going to work, I told her yes and I’m in a hurry to get there. She gives me this booklet and says so you can be friends with Jesus. I told her ma’am were all friends with Jesus. Some ppl just don’t want to accept him. She was shocked at my answer. She turned around and walked away.

As Catholics we cannot be afraid to defend our faith. The bible was put together by the Catholic Church, so theirs no need for us to be scared, we hold the truth.

 

[WhiteLillyMary]

I would tell them that both of your faiths are under the Umbrella of Jesus, in other words, you both believe in slightly different but the same messages about Jesus, you just pray differently. And that if they are truly followers of Jesus, they would love one another as Jesus loves them. And that by being rude and yelling they are breaking the Golden Rule. And not following the Jesus path they have come to defend.

Although I loved the suggestion of holy water and latin prayers. Hilarious. Got visuals. lol

 

[ProdglArchitect]

In her case she opened the door one day to a couple of young JW’s. so she invited them in for a cup of tea to discuss whatever they wanted…

They left in floods of tears. Later an “elder” came by to complain that my sister had greatly upset them and challenged their faith. She pointed out that she only discussed the topics that they raised, and they came to her door.

For some strange reason the JW’s never knocked on her door again.

This happened to my dad as well. Though he’s a militant Catholic, not Atheist. We’re pretty sure he got blacklisted after the third group, because they were showing up semi-frequently, and now he hasn’t seen any in months.

I fervently hope to be able to bring Mormons and JW’s to tears through logic one day

To the OP, if you’re not comfortable engaging with them, just don’t answer the door. It’s pretty easy to spot them since they all tend to dress the same.

 

[Fairwinds]

Him: “Oh I used to be Ca…”
You: “Not interested” [slam].

now, if you kept a large, vicious dog, your options expand.

 

[PaleoConCatlick]

Last night my husband and I got a knock on the door. I was speaking to my grandmother so he answered. It was a couple who came to bother us. My husband told them we were Catholic and happy. The guy was like, “Oh I used to be Catholic,” and started his anti-Catholic speech. My husband was confirmed early in the RCIA process and then left for a deployment, so he has never had to deal with people coming to bother us. I don’t know what the deal is with the area I live in, but since we moved here, people knock on our door all the time. I have stopped answering the door. My poor husband is standing at the door with his mouth wide open in total shock that this guy is saying this stuff to him. So, I got off the phone, went to the door, and started defending our faith and they started yelling. I told them that they came to my house. I didn’t come looking for them and not to yell. She yelled again and I slammed the door in their faces.

How do I deal with this? Why do people feel the need to come to people’s houses and yell at them? I was so upset afterwards that I was shaking. This winter I had Mormons who would come by almost weekly, when I did open the door, they never yelled. It was like since we weren’t letting them dog our faith that we were wrong.

What group were these people in? You’ve left no identification?

 

[KendraDZ1902]

You can avoid them or you can choose to become more confident in your faith and then you will be seeking them out!

I only wish they would knock on my door now that I know the true teaching and history of the Church. It can be fearful when an outsider, or family member, bashes your faith and you don’t know what to do or say but you can overcome this fear with knowledge.

Peace!!!

They wouldn’t let you finish a sentence. It wasn’t that I couldn’t they wouldn’t let you. lol. When I didn’t let her interrupt, she started yelling that we don’t follow Christ. Like, screaming. It was insane.

 

[KendraDZ1902]

What group were these people in? You’ve left no identification?

I think they said Church of God. Which was weird because I don’t think I have ever heard of that group coming to people’s houses.

It wasn’t hard to defend our faith. They threw around the same thing everyone does.

That we added books.
How did we know that the Catholic Church was the true church.
He wanted to know who the bride of Christ was. He kept saying that His bride was coming back with Him. He said that we will meet His bride. I’ve never heard that one before.

When we answered his questions he came back to us adding books. Our answers were half answered becuase they wouldn’t let you finish. It was on to the next thing. Then the lady started yelling. I guess they weren’t used to people actually answering.

 

[mountee]

Opening the door to strangers is a very dangerous idea in our world today, I admire your kindness. Learning to be assertive but charitable is a good thing to do in your current circumstances and in all challenging situations. My first response is always, I am Catholic and always will be! Then, I wish them well and tell them I will pray for them. Finally, I shut the door without any further discussion. Having known several people who tried to evangelize people this way I understand that their church expects them to do this and they truly believe we are gong to hell for not being saved. Even though I understand what I believe and why I believe it, entering into conversations with these types of people never end well for me, so I avoid it at all cost.

 

[SaintRita]

You must not have been raised in the Northeast – we know better than to open our doors to anyone

In all seriousness, not answering the door is the best policy. These “evangelizers” want you to fight with them, in fact they rejoice in this because it just confirms in their minds that they are right because they are being persecuted.

Don’t give in to them! Don’t fall into the trap! Tell your husband not to answer the door.

This absolutely! I am not strong enough in the knowledge of my faith to waste my time arguing with these people. My feeling is that I’m not about to invite Satan into my home for a cup of coffee, why would I open the door to people who would make me doubt my faith? The Mormons that have come have been very kind… the JW’s are not so pleasant to deal with and honestly I have no problems being rude if that’s what it takes.

 

[losh14]

Hi Kendra, are you upset that you got upset when someone accused your faith of all types of terrible things and told your husband grievous lies? Actually, I commend you for just slamming the door in their faces. I’ve actually punched people in the face.

What you believe is something of a very personal nature. This is true for everyone. That doesn’t mean to keep it to yourself - quite the contrary, most of us are happy to share it. But none of us likes being condescended - especially to our faces, in our homes by total strangers who have offered nothing to us but derision. Did this couple bring over a housewarming gift? Did they talk up how great their church is and invite you to worship with them? Did they greet you warmly and tell you about their town?

No? They just came over and started chewing your husband out? Good for you that you only slammed the door on them. If they come back, stand at the door with a pitchfork, tell them you’re gonna remove some manure from the lawn.

 

[losh14]

I should share that I used to be a magnet for these folks. Partly cause I’d read a Catholic bible on the commuter train to grad school every day. One man came up to me and asked if I knew who wrote the Bible. I told him all Scripture was God-breathed. He shook his head and said “Sodom!” “Sodom?” I replied. “Yes, Sodom!” he affirmed. I paused. “I didn’t know they wrote in aramaic. Does that mean the Gospel is a lie, too?” He left.

I think they said Church of God. Which was weird because I don’t think I have ever heard of that group coming to people’s houses.

It could be their own thing. I knew a nun who actually would go to houses in a Jewish neighborhood, ask if the person living there was a Jew, and thank them for the Blessed Virgin Mary. And then leave. People have their own thing. Shame these two decided to be so aggressive about it.

It wasn’t hard to defend our faith. They threw around the same thing everyone does.

And yet they came back, which means they didn’t listen or didn’t believe your response.

He wanted to know who the bride of Christ was. He kept saying that His bride was coming back with Him. He said that we will meet His bride. I’ve never heard that one before.

Some people take “personal faith” to go beyond “Jesus knows each and every one of us personally and seeks an intimate friendship with us eternally” to “Jesus is gonna marry me, and me alone.”

When we answered his questions he came back to us adding books. Our answers were half answered becuase they wouldn’t let you finish. It was on to the next thing. Then the lady started yelling. I guess they weren’t used to people actually answering.

I’m surprised you opened the door again. Tell them to buzz off. Your husband is in the Navy, I’d assume he’s rather fit. Is he strong enough to physically lift the man and carry him off property?

Seriously, we’re called to evangelize, we’re cautioned not to engage in vain or divisive talk. Yes, the sin is on these folks for throwing barbs at you, but there’s no reason to perpetuate it. Deny them the pleasure of arguing at you and they may rethink it. Simply tell them to leave. If they won’t, tell them they’re trespassing and harassing you and you’ll call the police.

Consider the most effective evangelization you’ve seen and avoid other forms (including shouting at walls, which is, unfortunately, what your well-informed responses are doing). You’re not going to reach these people, at least not until they stop shouting long enough to listen.