Woken from a sound sleep by JW's

[maize]

I personally apologize for that one; the rules I went by as a former LDS missionary were that nobody knocked on doors after 6PM. The evenings were for meetings and pre-arranged appointments.

I give very short shrift to people who knock on my door that late–or who phone me that late–and yeah, that includes Mormons. Especially the missionaries, who would hear it personally from me, and whose mission president I would absolutely call.

yeah i had the kids in bed, and i said, “its awful late, dont you think” and they said "no, its only 8:00, we do this til 9:00.

 

[NDfan]

That’s ridiculous. I’d give a call to their kingdom hall and tell them, in no uncertain terms, how I did NOT enjoy being blasted out of bed and how I do NOT want it happening again.

The fact that they chose to ignore the results of their intrusion speaks volumes. I had to place a rather terse call to their kingdom hall earlier in the year when they wouldn’t stop coming over, despite my saying no to them. I have zero tolerance for that kind of disrespect.

Instead of having zero tolerance look at it in reverse. Try to help them see they are preaching a false Gospel. Usually they leave you alone if you can refute their teachings. Taking the path you are taking demonstrates a sort of un-Christ like attitude if you will. Placing a terse call only shows to them you need help. In their mind.

Just a suggestion.

PEACE

 

[maryjk]

Instead of having zero tolerance look at it in reverse. Try to help them see they are preaching a false Gospel. Usually they leave you alone if you can refute their teachings. Taking the path you are taking demonstrates a sort of un-Christ like attitude if you will. Placing a terse call only shows to them you need help. In their mind.

Just a suggestion.

PEACE

I wish I had had the time. But I was taking care of my husband.

At our last house, they used to regularly wake the baby. I would open the door with my screaming baby in my arms, saying, yes, the sign to not ring the bell was for YOU. Again, at that time, I really didn’t have time to refute their teachings. I was spending the next 20 minutes trying to get him back to sleep.

What I really don’t understand is why they ignore the signs saying not to ring the bell? Why knock if the sign says, don’t knock? Do they really think they are going to be able to get a word in? When they ignore my signs, it just makes me angry.

 

[twosweetgirls]

Instead of having zero tolerance look at it in reverse. Try to help them see they are preaching a false Gospel. Usually they leave you alone if you can refute their teachings. Taking the path you are taking demonstrates a sort of un-Christ like attitude if you will. Placing a terse call only shows to them you need help. In their mind.

Just a suggestion.

PEACE

I totally understand what you’re saying. However, the poster upthread put it very well–that they don’t care what your circumstances are or how nicely you say “no”, they will keep at it.

When the last two JW women were at my house, and gave the know-it-all sidelong glance at my Rosaries, they kept on and on about how I "didn’t understand Christ’s ‘redemptive sacrifice’ " despite my saying that I was Catholic and would never convert. I even brought up the two blood transfusions that saved my life after the birth of SweetGirlTwo. It hit their deaf ears.

So when it’s obvious that I’m saying NO, however loudly and clearly, and they still don’t get it, I’m most definitely getting terse to get them to stop (hence, my terse call to their kingdom hall to tell them to knock it off). I wasn’t being un-Christlike at all, I simply put my foot down and said in no uncertain terms that I did NOT want them coming over again. Ever.

If they believe whatever eternally nefarious things about me as a result of that call, then that’s between them and whoever/whatever they worship. I’m not worrying about it. Plus, my doorstep is now quiet.

 

[Tim_Kirchoff]

They came by the day my husband came home from the hospital. It was a few years ago, but he had been in for 4 days, after a heart attack.

I put a note on the door. “Do not ring bell. Knock gently, and only if you NEED to see me. Patient is sleeping.”

They KNOCKED. I went to the door, opened it and they started on their spiel. I couldn’t believe it. I stood there in shock. When they paused for a breath, I said something like, you needed to see me about this TODAY?!? And I closed the door.

Trust me, they don’t care about what is going on in your life. Sleeping, sick or whatever. They just need to get their numbers up. At least that is true in this town.

Actually (though I can’t refer you to a source for this), I think they did that on purpose. When people experience a shake-up, someone in the family falls ill- at times like that, people are more open to God. The JWs realize this, and take the opportunity to try to offer what they see as “good news.” They are not deterred by the fact that the last thing you want is proselytizers on your stoop because they are trying to help you- in their own way.

They have- or seem to have- good intentions. Are they frustrating and annoying? Yeah. But at least their heart seems to be in the right place.

Disclaimer: I have never in my 16 years of life had a JW come to my door (maybe my parents have ). My judgment is therefore uninformed by personal experience.

 

[Reuben_J]

…

When the last two JW women were at my house, and gave the know-it-all sidelong glance at my Rosaries, they kept on and on about how I "didn’t understand Christ’s ‘redemptive sacrifice’ " despite my saying that I was Catholic and would never convert. I even brought up the two blood transfusions that saved my life after the birth of SweetGirlTwo. It hit their deaf ears.
…

I can understand that. When they entered my house and as I ushered them into the living, I was observing them whether they would look at the Mother Mary statue which was placed strategically on a Bible showcase, two huge pictures of the scared heart of Jesus and Mother Mary and an imposing crucifix. They made swiping glance but did not comment on anything.

We were sitting on the lounge right under the scrutinizing gaze of these Catholic icons and they pretend as if nothing significant about them. I was expecting they sort of start with an opening salvo that I had idols in the house. They didn’t.

Nevertheless the discussion was as expected. It was a battle between Catholicism and JW. Perhaps a bit childish but I enjoyed it. Eventually they made an excuse to leave and I followed them to the door not missing very second to give them my (name removed by moderator)ut as much as they wanted to give to me theirs.

They came back the following week with another character, must be a more senior person. We had another round but after that I did not hear of them.

Maybe ex-JW can explain what they would do in that situation. Did they make a report on going back to the headquarter or planned a strategy during the comeback?

 

[lindalout49]

I also believe that these JW do have good intentions. I usually invite them in to our home. I like to share my faith with them as they share theres with me. I always pray that a seed may be planted.

 

[adelore]

Advice for people who work 3rds and want to avoid the ringing door bell.

At the end of your drive way, put up orange tape, (you can find it in the hardware store. it’s cheap) if you don’t have two post, you can use just cheap boards, or buy even “family dollar or general dollar” shepard hooks to tie your orange tape on. String this across your driveway. If you get UPS/FedEx packages a lot build them a large box of somekind just past your tape, they will walk around it and put your package in the box. Leave instructions at their office about this.

Another idea is to put a sign that says, I work 3rd shift, I’m a Day Sleeper, if you wake me by knocking on my door, be prepared for me to send my (what ever kind of big dog you want to fill in the blank)…dog out after you!

Just a few thoughts. By the way I did use the first idea when I worked 3rds as I was tired of being woke up by JW’s and the Mormons.

 

[maryjk]

Actually (though I can’t refer you to a source for this), I think they did that on purpose. When people experience a shake-up, someone in the family falls ill- at times like that, people are more open to God. The JWs realize this, and take the opportunity to try to offer what they see as “good news.” They are not deterred by the fact that the last thing you want is proselytizers on your stoop because they are trying to help you- in their own way.

They have- or seem to have- good intentions. Are they frustrating and annoying? Yeah. But at least their heart seems to be in the right place.

Disclaimer: I have never in my 16 years of life had a JW come to my door (maybe my parents have ). My judgment is therefore uninformed by personal experience.

If their heart was really in the right place and they really wanted to help, they should have brought a meal. That was what my Catholic friends did.

But I see your point, yes when people experience a shake-up, most people are more open to God. I prayed more at that time, than I ever had. But having someone bother me, while I was very busy didn’t do anything for their cause.

 

[sympathy07]

If its too important then we can go to door by door for converts. I think it helps to some people.

 

[kalt]

They came by the day my husband came home from the hospital. It was a few years ago, but he had been in for 4 days, after a heart attack.

I put a note on the door. “Do not ring bell. Knock gently, and only if you NEED to see me. Patient is sleeping.”

They KNOCKED. I went to the door, opened it and they started on their spiel. I couldn’t believe it. I stood there in shock. When they paused for a breath, I said something like, you needed to see me about this TODAY?!? And I closed the door.

Trust me, they don’t care about what is going on in your life. Sleeping, sick or whatever. They just need to get their numbers up. At least that is true in this town.

The day they came to my house was in the first week I was back at work after being in the hospital for 3 days. I needed 4 units of blood, Maybe I should have told them that, too–that I had just received 4 units of blood.

 

[kalt]

Instead of having zero tolerance look at it in reverse. Try to help them see they are preaching a false Gospel. Usually they leave you alone if you can refute their teachings. Taking the path you are taking demonstrates a sort of un-Christ like attitude if you will. Placing a terse call only shows to them you need help. In their mind.

Just a suggestion.

PEACE

But I don’t care what they think of me–or my religion, for that matter. I just want them to quit knocking on my door.

I think I’m going to buy some really authentic Catholic clerical garb. When I see them coming, I’m going to slip it on and answer the door with a plate of unconsecrated communion wafers.

It would be worth the price just to see the looks on their faces.

Maybe I’ll go to the door in a straightjacket and let them in, all the while mumbling something about the government men hiding in the walls with recording equipment. A well placed primal scream now and then might do the trick, if the paranoia doesn’t phase them. And I’ll call one of them Mommy, and ask where she’s been all these years, and why did she leave me.

I don’t care what they think of me. They can think I’m a raving lunatic, just so long as they don’t ever come to my house again.

If I called them and told them never to come again (I would back this up with a certified letter with return receipt), and they came again, I would file a harrassment complaint. Maybe if coming to my house costs them a significant amount of money and time, they’ll rethink their “policies”.

 

[kalt]

You might want to invest in a few big “NO SOLICITING” and “NO RELIGIOUS SOLICITING” signs. I’ve read that JWs and Mormons disregard the “no soliciting” signs because they believe they’re not selling anything, so that’s why I suggested the “no religious soliciting” sign in addition to the other one. Also, can you disable your doorbell?

I could disable the doorbell, but why should I? I do want to hear from normal people. (I don’t consider door-to-door religion salespeople normal, whatever their religion.) Wouldn’t the JW’sjust knock anyway.

Do the JW’s respect the “No Religious Solicitation” signs? I have a feeling they wouldn’t.

Maybe “JW’s will be fed to the pit bulls” is a better sign.

 

[kalt]

My two Pit bulls do a real good job.of keeping JW’s a bay. they’re really very friendly but when it comes to the JW’s they go bonkers! no kidding!Probably feeding off my energy.!

You’ve given me a great idea. If I make a sign that shows 2 pit bulls in full attack mode, and add the words “JW’s will be fed to the pit bulls”, I think I might be left alone.

Edited to add that another poster gave me an idea, too. I’m going to drape the sign in a set of rosary beads. They’ll just have to know that I’m a hopeless “case”–no sale here.

 

[kalt]

Wait! I just remembered that we have a homemade bishop’s costume that my son used for a school project many, many years ago.

It doesn’t look the least bit real, but it looked really cool on the kid back then–everyone was impressed with it. It was huge on him, so it would fit me!

I’m going to go to the door dressed like that, and I’m going to act perfectly polite and normal otherwise.

They’ll know that I’m mentally unstable–and probably dangerous–and they’ll never come again!!

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

The day they came to my house was in the first week I was back at work after being in the hospital for 3 days. I needed 4 units of blood, Maybe I should have told them that, too–that I had just received 4 units of blood.

No one has the ‘right’ to disturb a free citizen in his or her own home, for WHATEVER REASON.

And when that person is sick, caring for a sick family member, or dealing with fractious infants, the offense is compounded.

Why is that so hard for some people to understand?

 

[NDfan]

I wish I had had the time. But I was taking care of my husband.

At our last house, they used to regularly wake the baby. I would open the door with my screaming baby in my arms, saying, yes, the sign to not ring the bell was for YOU. Again, at that time, I really didn’t have time to refute their teachings. I was spending the next 20 minutes trying to get him back to sleep.

What I really don’t understand is why they ignore the signs saying not to ring the bell? Why knock if the sign says, don’t knock? Do they really think they are going to be able to get a word in? When they ignore my signs, it just makes me angry.

Mary JWs will see the importance of spreading their teachings as superseding anything. To them it’s like Ok is being saved less important than your baby sleeping? I have come across some that are not as aggressive so it sounds like you had the ultra-aggressive.

 

[NDfan]

I totally understand what you’re saying. However, the poster upthread put it very well–that they don’t care what your circumstances are or how nicely you say “no”, they will keep at it.

No doubt that is true. That’s because as mentioned to Mary they view salvation as being more important than anything.

When the last two JW women were at my house, and gave the know-it-all sidelong glance at my Rosaries, they kept on and on about how I "didn’t understand Christ’s ‘redemptive sacrifice’ " despite my saying that I was Catholic and would never convert. I even brought up the two blood transfusions that saved my life after the birth of SweetGirlTwo. It hit their deaf ears.

I’m sure it did. Again it’s because they believe you have to be a JW to be saved. So if you’re not then they would view any resistance as just more of a challenge. I stopped answering the door completely. I can see out my front door so I just wave them off and walk away.

So when it’s obvious that I’m saying NO, however loudly and clearly, and they still don’t get it, I’m most definitely getting terse to get them to stop (hence, my terse call to their kingdom hall to tell them to knock it off). I wasn’t being un-Christlike at all, I simply put my foot down and said in no uncertain terms that I did NOT want them coming over again. Ever.

I understand completely and forgive me for saying un-Christ-like. I meant that more of how they would receive it which demonstrates to them that you need their help. It’s almost like a catch-22

If they believe whatever eternally nefarious things about me as a result of that call, then that’s between them and whoever/whatever they worship. I’m not worrying about it. Plus, my doorstep is now quiet.

Well that’s good. I guess it worked then Whenever I spoke with one I would always say they should focus on folks that are truly lost.

PEACE

 

[kalt]

No one has the ‘right’ to disturb a free citizen in his or her own home, for WHATEVER REASON.

And when that person is sick, caring for a sick family member, or dealing with fractious infants, the offense is compounded.

Why is that so hard for some people to understand?

 

[Appleby]

Daddy used to answer the door in his bathrobe and tell them that we were Nudists and if they would like to come in and take off all their clothing, he would be glad to call his sons too. (He didnt have any sons, but the idea of being faced with a large number of nekkid men sent them fleeing into the night.) Mama said that was mean (she is a Southern lady) but he said if it works, why not.

Mama always invited the Mormons in because (1) she felt sorry for them and (2) she had five daughters and in the Sixties there was a shortage of well dressed, well barbered young men. Daddy loved to discuss religion with them. Someone with a very odd sense of humour sent two Missionaries to contact me at Bible College. I suggested I invite a bunch of my friends to listen to them, and I invited all the guys who were studying for the Presbyterian Ministry and who had a good knowledge of Latin, Greek and Aramaic as well as of the scriptures. They were very polite and friendly but I think those two young guys went away with far more knowledge than they had when they came. At least they were confused!

As for me, I speak through the door and say I never open the door to strangers and if they do not leave immediately I will phone 911. We have home invasions in this area and it does not pay to take chances.