Was this the correct and charitable way to answer people who came preaching at my door?

[tvknight415]

I had a nice old lady stop by during the summer. Seems a Baptist group has set up shop in my little rural town (predominantly ELCA Lutheran, with a small minority of Catholics). Normally all I get at my door is a Watchtower distributor, but even then only once or twice a year at most.

Maybe I’ll have to make the front yard more overtly Catholic to draw some more in. Of course, my wife just tells me to tell them “no thanks,” and let them get going.

 

[mexolic]

I just kindly tell those who proselytize at my front door that I’m simply not interested. My understanding of Jehovah’s Witnesses is they’re prohibited from hearing or reading anything religious that is not of the Watch Tower.

 

[StThomasRocks]

In my area, I’m not comfortable letting unknown individuals into our homes. There have been instances in which people will pose as something they are not and proceed to assault you and burglarize your home.

I often simply say “I’m not interested today.” and send them on their way. We receive quite a few individuals simply handing out brochures or inviting us to their church fair, I take these invitations and say “thank you.” I don’t mind mingling with other church goers in our area. I’m Catholic and always will be, but there’s no harm in showing up at the Lutheran picnic down the block or buying some jam at the Methodist bake sale. Building rapport with others is a great way to live life.

And yes, they are looking for easy converts.

 

[kkollwitz]

crenfro, you did fine. That’s exactly what my wife and I do: be hospitable and charitable; and have dialogue as much as possible, and as long as possible. Then we leave the rest to the Holy Spirit.

 

[Iheartcoffee]

I don’t feel super comfortable letting strangers into my home, especially if I am home alone. I would probably come up with a kind white lie like, “The baby just fell asleep - I can’t talk now”. or something. That way I could send them on their way without hurting anyone’s feelings.

My aunt did try to get some missionaries to pray with her. They found out she is Catholic and said something about Catholics not praying to the same God. She went off on them about trying to spread polytheism - because she only believes in ONE God.

Evidently, when a missionary feels a Christian has mistaken them for spreading polytheism they get out of there quickly.

 

[tabycat]

Just yell back to the kitchen: “uh oh, honey is the pitbull inside or outside!?”. Then tell them to tiptoe back down the driveway and they should be okay.

uch:

Or maybe the ‘bully’ (new UKC breed, a larger APBT).

 

[tabycat]

Some of you make me feel downright unhospitable! I usually just tell the missionaries that I am not interested, thank them for their effort, wish them luck, smile and close the door.

Hey, now! No doggie discrimination and perpetuating of stereotypes, please I happen to own two American Pit Bull Terriers, an American Bulldog, and a Basset Hound. Biggest bunch of slobbering, shedding, human adoring canines I have ever known. Bred from healthy and temperamentally stable stock and raised and trained with loving, yet firm, kindness.

However, I will grant that seeing one very large and two medium-large sized dogs staring out the window can make a missionary think two or three times before knocking on my door. If the dogs happen to bark their “Hey, lady, there’s people on the porch” bark, the missionaries will cross the street and never come back. I haven’t seen a Mormon or a Jehovah’s Witness since the dogs reached full growth about 5 years ago, come to think of it…Yet the neighbors were complaining of a group that came around last month.

Know what you mean. The gentlest dog that I have known has been a 130 lb Akita. BTW I love hounds, I had a beagle when I was a kid and my dad had a beagle mix. Great little dogs (but like to roam).

 

[Skyhighblue34]

Just yell back to the kitchen: “uh oh, honey is the pitbull inside or outside!?”. Then tell them to tiptoe back down the driveway and they should be okay.

Hahahaha one of the few jokes I’ve seen on this site so far. Keep it up!