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Jun 1, 2024 19:37:36 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2014 15:43:37 GMT
Last week my mom posted that she saw some "Bible thumpers" in her neighborhood and they had a young child with them, going door to door. Several of her friends were appalled and said they refuse to answer the door when they see "those kind of people." The "No Solicitors" sign does nothing.
In my previous neighborhood, I would get a couple older ladies from the nearby Jehovah's Witness hall knocking on my door. I believe one of my neighbors was actually JW as I saw her riding in the van with them a couple times. Every time, I said, thanks, but not interested and please respect the "no solicitors" sign. They came back anyways.
I've seen a few young women walking my neighborhood this summer. Today, I saw one of those young women (somewhere between 18 and 30) get out of a car with a young girl (10 tops) and approach my house. I refused to answer the door. Other than my car in the driveway, there was no obvious sign that someone was home. A man and at least two other people stayed in the car. A pamphlet was left in my door. Again, I have a sign on my house, "No Solicitors."
I don't care about JW going door to door. If you have to sell your religion like a salesman, then there's something wrong with your religion (IMO). I think it's disgusting they are now taking young children with them as if that's going to increase their chances? This is a new thing, JW taking young children with them on their door to door "missions"?
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Post by turangaleela on Aug 6, 2014 15:47:10 GMT
My parents lived out in the country (the driveway was half a mile long, for crying out loud) and we used to get this on the weekends. I'm pretty sure it was JW folk, and they always had a kid with them. I remember once it was this little boy (maybe 10 years old) in a 3-piece-suit.
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Deleted
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Jun 1, 2024 19:37:36 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2014 15:54:01 GMT
Yes! Recently we had a few Jehovahs ladies come around and they had two young children with them, I'd guess they were around 5 years old. They were taking a break in front of the house across the street and the kids were playing on the driveway. I thought it was really weird too.
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lesley
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Post by lesley on Aug 6, 2014 16:02:05 GMT
Yes! Just this morning, I had JW at the door. A woman in her early thirties and a girl of 8-10. I just assumed the girl was there because it's the school holidays and her mum didn't want to leave her alone. Imagine going back to school and writing "What I Did On My Holidays - my mum and I knocked on all these people's doors to try to convert them to our wacko religion..." I love that expression 'Bible thumpers'!  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2014 16:02:45 GMT
So funny you mentioned this. The past two sets of solicitors that came to our door both had young children with them. Not sure what the first group was, but they had a girl about 10-11 with them. The man who came yesterday was JW and he had a 6-7 year old boy with him.
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Post by teri on Aug 6, 2014 16:04:43 GMT
yup, last Friday had a young couple come to the door with a baby...
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Post by jmurray on Aug 6, 2014 16:06:45 GMT
Ugh. Anyone pushing anything at me on my front doorstep annoys the hell out of me. When it's someone pushing their religion I always give them a huge smile and politely tell them I'm an atheist, and would love to tell them more about my chosen non-beliefs, so would they be so kind as to leave me their address and I will visit them unannounced one day? That usually does the trick. Can't say we've had anyone come to the door with a child yet, but that won't prevent me from using my standard response.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2014 16:10:26 GMT
I'll say "no, not a new trend" I went door knocking as a child to invite people to church ( conservative non denominational Christian) with my parents back in the 1960s.
They do it for two reasons. First, it exposes the child to evangelistic outreach as a normal activity. And second, most people are less wary of adults with kids and a bit more willing to talk to them.
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Peamac
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Post by Peamac on Aug 6, 2014 16:11:37 GMT
I've had them come around during the summer with a child or two. I just figured the kids were on break from school and didn't have a babysitter so they came with mom.
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basketdiva
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Post by basketdiva on Aug 6, 2014 16:13:26 GMT
Not new- I've had people of all religions knock on my door and many of them have had children with them. It's summer and parents don't want to leave their children home alone.
I don't consider various religions knocking on my door as " If you have to sell your religion like a salesman". People just want to share their religion with others. I politely say I'm not interested and they leave. If I see people knocking on doors in the neighborhood ( be it a salesman, survey taker or a religious group, I just don't answer my door.
I went to a baptist college and many people went into various parts of the city to "witness" to those they encountered. To me this was no different than people going door to door.
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sharlag
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Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Aug 6, 2014 16:13:44 GMT
When I see a child, I think it's a sports fundraiser or club activity. I'm more likely to talk to them.
I'll bet it increases their 'door being opened' success rate to have a child with them.
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IAmUnoriginal
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Jun 25, 2014 23:27:45 GMT
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Post by IAmUnoriginal on Aug 6, 2014 16:14:54 GMT
When I was growing up, the JW's almost always had an older child/young teen with them when they walked our neighborhood. One time, I was up on an extension ladder and painting my parents' house. Trapped. I needed to get it done, as the sun was moving around to that side of the house soon. They kept on talking, the young girl trying to engage me, too. I kept on telling them "Please leave. I have work to do and I'm not interested." They kept on talking. I had to resort to getting sloppy with the paint and flinging that pretty light blue everywhere to get them to back off. They came back a few weeks later and asked for me. My Dad told them to leave and never come back, that he was still cleaning up paint from their last ambush. They tried again a few months later. He literally growled when he opened the door and saw them there and promptly shut it.
They must tour my current neighborhood during working hours, because I find literature in our door or under our mat, but haven't seen them in a long time. Of course, we did have the door bell disconnected for about 2 years while YDS was little. Who knows who I missed during those times.
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valincal
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Southern Alberta
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Post by valincal on Aug 6, 2014 16:16:11 GMT
Haven't seen this yet. That would piss me off.
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MizIndependent
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Quit your bullpoop.
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Jun 25, 2014 19:43:16 GMT
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Post by MizIndependent on Aug 6, 2014 16:18:40 GMT
Why do churches still use this tactic? It doesn't work.
IT DOESN'T WORK.
You know what does work? Looking around to see who might need your help, not your religion, then going and actually helping them.
CHURCHES! LISTEN UP!
See a neglected yard? Probably an older person who can't keep it up...go do yard work!
Volunteer at the local shelters - they need help, lots of it!
Got graffiti in the neighborhood? Get a crew together and clean it up!
Start a community garden and invite everyone!
The opportunities for meaningful ministry ABOUND, especially in these difficult times. Going door to door is the single most useless enterprise AND it irritates the shit out of people.
Preach the gospel at all times...and if necessary, use words.
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back to *pea*ality
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Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Aug 6, 2014 16:23:29 GMT
It's been quiet in my neighborhood for some time. I remember one lady coming on strong and I told her that I was actively worshipping in my religious community but thanks for stopping by - have a nice day. For some reason she missed the que that it was her time to leave. She just would not stop the hard sell. That's when I asked her if she would like to visit my church because we believe there are unlimited spots in heaven unlike JV so I like my deal better. She left.
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anniebygaslight
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Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Aug 6, 2014 16:24:32 GMT
If any religious 'salesperson' came to my door with a child in tow, I would be straight on the phone to the authorities. Dragging a child around in that manner is disgusting.
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Post by ~KellyAnn~ on Aug 6, 2014 16:29:18 GMT
I had an adorable little guy, around seven, knock on my door while his dad stood below the steps. I thought he was selling something and opened my door. He quietly handed me a WT pamphlet. It was the first time I saw a young child doing this, so I asked his dad about it. I said that a lot of people aren't as polite when opening their doors to JW. I told him I wouldn't want to expose my children to door slamming or cursing or rejection. He told me that's how the world is, and that it's better kids learn that now, and maybe they can change just one person's heart.
I don't agree, but it still sticks with me to this day.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2014 16:30:57 GMT
If any religious 'salesperson' came to my door with a child in tow, I would be straight on the phone to the authorities. Dragging a child around in that manner is disgusting. What good would calling the authorities do? I don't think it's abuse, neglect, or illegal, so the police or CPS wouldn't do anything. And would be unable to do anything, even if they agreed with you. |
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Post by cadoodlebug on Aug 6, 2014 16:32:49 GMT
They've been coming to our door with children for years. Funny story from my childhood. Some people came to the door wanting a donation for religious material. I heard my mom say she didn't have any cash so I piped up that I did. I think it was 25 cents. So my mom gave them my money and made me read the material.
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Post by mztfied on Aug 6, 2014 16:34:03 GMT
Definitely not new. The children are usually "dressed for church". The little girls in pretty dresses and the boys in slacks nice shirts and a tie. I generally do not answer the door when I know it is them. Most of the time when I have answered the door they have been quite nice and left when I said I was not interested. However I have had several times when they just would not go away.
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Post by krazykatlady on Aug 6, 2014 16:38:21 GMT
It's been quiet in my neighborhood for some time. I remember one lady coming on strong and I told her that I was actively worshipping in my religious community but thanks for stopping by - have a nice day. For some reason she missed the que that it was her time to leave. She just would not stop the hard sell. That's when I asked her if she would like to visit my church because we believe there are unlimited spots in heaven unlike JV so I like my deal better. She left. I'll admit I'm not very well informed about JW but that's something I've always wondered ... if there is a limited number who can get into heaven why would they want to try to convert new people? What are they going to do when the converted takes their spot? Back to the OP - I would think they are bringing the children along because they're out of school right now and they're also showing them what's expected of them when they get older. I won't answer the door most of the time but we did have a problem last year locally when thugs were posing as JW and when there was no answer at the door they took it as a sign that the house was free to be broken into. |
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MizIndependent
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Jun 25, 2014 19:43:16 GMT
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Post by MizIndependent on Aug 6, 2014 16:38:47 GMT
I had an adorable little guy, around seven, knock on my door while his dad stood below the steps. I thought he was selling something and opened my door. He quietly handed me a WT pamphlet. It was the first time I saw a young child doing this, so I asked his dad about it. I said that a lot of people aren't as polite when opening their doors to JW. I told him I wouldn't want to expose my children to door slamming or cursing or rejection. He told me that's how the world is, and that it's better kids learn that now, and maybe they can change just one person's heart. I don't agree, but it still sticks with me to this day. THAT is disgusting. Hiding behind an innocent child? If they do this to me, I will dress down that parent on the spot (albeit, very politely - don't want to alarm the child or give these religious people cause to think they're being "persecuted" for their "righteous works"), then call their "church" and tell them exactly what I think of this new practice. |
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Gennifer
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Post by Gennifer on Aug 6, 2014 16:39:51 GMT
To play devil's advocate (ha!) I have to admire parents who are teaching their children from a young age about things that are important to them. Would there be the same uproar if they took their kids to volunteer at a shelter or do yard work for an elderly neighbor?
Having said that, I hate religious proselytizers with the fire of a burning sun.
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Post by hop2 on Aug 6, 2014 16:42:53 GMT
When I was a kid we lived very close to a large watchtower settlement. We had JW people come once or twice a month, usually pretty nice. I went to school with their kids and for the most part they are a nice but persistent group. Sometimes they brought children, sometimes not. It was always different.
However, I could tell you a few horror stories of completely inappropriate, rude, way over the line behavior. One such story is when I was 12 and they came in the dead of winter on a below freezing January day with a small child wearing NO COAT! They wanted to come in out of the cold to speak to me since their car was far down the road and the child was cold. This was before cel phones and it was a very rural area so 1/2 mile between houses. Unfortunately for them I was home alone and not allowed to let people in. I told them I wasn't allowed to let people in but they could wait in the barn if they needed to. No they just kept going down the street with the child with no coat.
It's been over 30 years since that happened so it's not totally a new thing maybe just back in 'fashion'
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gloryjoy
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Post by gloryjoy on Aug 6, 2014 16:46:30 GMT
Haven't seen this yet. That would piss me off. I haven't seen it yet either, and it would annoy me if they were using it as a ploy to get me to talk to them.
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oldcrow
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Posts: 3,828
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Post by oldcrow on Aug 6, 2014 16:51:26 GMT
Last week my mom posted that she saw some "Bible thumpers" in her neighborhood and they had a young child with them, going door to door. Several of her friends were appalled and said they refuse to answer the door when they see "those kind of people." The "No Solicitors" sign does nothing. In my previous neighborhood, I would get a couple older ladies from the nearby Jehovah's Witness hall knocking on my door. I believe one of my neighbors was actually JW as I saw her riding in the van with them a couple times. Every time, I said, thanks, but not interested and please respect the "no solicitors" sign. They came back anyways. I've seen a few young women walking my neighborhood this summer. Today, I saw one of those young women (somewhere between 18 and 30) get out of a car with a young girl (10 tops) and approach my house. I refused to answer the door. Other than my car in the driveway, there was no obvious sign that someone was home. A man and at least two other people stayed in the car. A pamphlet was left in my door. Again, I have a sign on my house, "No Solicitors." I don't care about JW going door to door. If you have to sell your religion like a salesman, then there's something wrong with your religion (IMO). I think it's disgusting they are now taking young children with them as if that's going to increase their chances? This is a new thing, JW taking young children with them on their door to door "missions"? No, it is not new. When my children were small back 30-40 years ago the ones knocking on my door had little kids with them. My children were disappointed I didn't invite them in so they would have someone knew to play with. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2014 16:52:15 GMT
To play devil's advocate (ha!) I have to admire parents who are teaching their children from a young age about things that are important to them. Would there be the same uproar if they took their kids to volunteer at a shelter or do yard work for an elderly neighbor? Having said that, I hate religious proselytizers with the fire of a burning sun. I don't admire teaching children to judge others' beliefs and try to tell them that there's a better way. Helping others and volunteering doesn't fall into the same type of action that proselytizing does. |
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Aug 6, 2014 17:02:13 GMT
I haven't seen kids evangelizing door to door with their parents, but it does irritate the crap out of me to see kids picketing our local planned parenthood with their parents.
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Post by colleen on Aug 6, 2014 17:06:09 GMT
My neighbors are JW and they are the nicest people and seem to have a really caring, supportive church community. We have kids the same age and it used to make my "every holiday is an excuse for a party" ds bananas that they couldn't come celebrate with us. I asked about the "witnessing" and she said they see it more like teaching -- those who haven't chosen their religion just don't know any better. That gave me pause. But they always treat us like friends and don't try to convert us.
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anniebygaslight
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Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Aug 6, 2014 17:19:00 GMT
If any religious 'salesperson' came to my door with a child in tow, I would be straight on the phone to the authorities. Dragging a child around in that manner is disgusting. What good would calling the authorities do? I don't think it's abuse, neglect, or illegal, so the police or CPS wouldn't do anything. And would be unable to do anything, even if they agreed with you. Maybe in the US, but in the UK they would be having a close look at it. |
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