How to respond to aggressive evangelizing

“Not interested.” Is a complete sentence.

The typical F*** off has a nice ring to it.

That's outrageous...is it any of his business? I know, I know...he's a pastor but I would have a hard time being polite a second time. I would reply with something like "I think that's my business don't you?" Followed by an unflinching look in the eye.

Or go the provocative route and say "No." and walk away but that would probably meant he haunted you for the rest of the event.

My responses are probably coloured by the fact that I'm an atheist and live in England where religion isn't in your face on a daily basis, thank goodness!

I would have a very hard time staying polite. On the instances I have met people who try to push religion on me (Norway is very secular, but we have a bible belt along the South coast, and not being the right kind of Christian in that area can be difficult. And I’m Norse pagan, not even Christian 😂), they usually start with something along the «these are the end of times». Oh, that is a true gift for someone obsessed with history🤣 I hit them with all the times their people have believed that before, then I move on to all the horrible things christians have done to polytheists over the centuries. They usually leave pale faced before I even get so far as to start dissecting their holy book. Religion and politics should not be discussed in polite company, and if they choose to go down that road, the gloves come off.

I'd say "nope" or "not interested"

If he hounded me, I would probably leave. If I stayed I'd probably become rude and confrontational

GAR, in the Southern portion of the US. It is not uncommon for a new person in a town to be bombarded with invitations to church in grocery stores and when banking. The common question is "Have you found a church home yet" Next popular attempt to snag you is "I'm a member of xxx church and we would love to have you visit". These offers are all made by people you've never met before.

I personally think there might be prizes for whoever gets the new people. Like whoever ropes in the most new people in a year gets a trip to Myrtle Beach. It

This. Lather, rinse and repeat. There is nothing wrong or rude about shutting down proselytizing.

Years ago, I had moved to a new city and was making friends. We had visited a particular church, perhaps twice.
I had invited a friend over for the afternoon. The minister showed up, I invited him in with "I have a friend over, but you can come in for a minute." He came in and proceeded (IMO) to be very rude to my new friend. He began to challenge her on "Where do you go to church?" "What do you believe?" "The 10 Commandments never saved anyone."
I don't remember what happened next but he eventually left. I apologized to her and mentally thought, "I want no part of him and his style of religion." We never returned to that church. A month or so later, he showed up one afternoon. I opened the door but did not invite him in. He made his greetings etc. I ended up telling him he was not welcome and we would not be returning to the church. I was blunt. He was stunned and asked why. I let him have it. Of course, he didn't get it. I am sure he left thinking he had just met an infidel and I was damned to Hell. I was happy to tell him off. I still think he was a big jerk.

It seems your friend didn’t care how rudely you were treated in her home so I wouldn’t feel bad telling the pastor to fuck off.

I love this response! 

Personally, I’m just snarky enough to probably poke that bear. I’ve been known to get into a few rounds with my overly religious sibling who belongs to a church just like that.

I went to high school in NC and spent a lot of my adult life living in the south or visits family in the south (NC, TN, GA, TX). I am a lapsed Catholic. I’ve never had anyone be more than welcoming when inviting me to church or asking where I went to church. I’ve never received any pushback when declining. That’s not to say there are not more pushy/aggressive members, but in almost 40 years I’ve not run across them. As a guest in someone else’s home I would have replied to “that’s not an answer” with “that’s the only answer I have for you.” Then if it persisted I would tell him I was not interested in a discussion my relationship with God/Jesus/deity of choice and change the subject. I am snarky by nature, but as a guest at a dinner, I would not be inflaming the discussion with snark. This is where manners (especially in the south) can be useful.

While it is none of his business, I find the easiest way to get someone like this to stop trying to "save me" is to answer, "I sure do." and change the subject quickly.

And just for the record - when is yes not a correct answer to that question? Yes, I have a relationship, and it is that we don't speak/I don't believe he exists. Yes, I have a more traditional Catholic relationship...which, for the record, formed the foundation of your denomination, so don't go dissing it. Yes, I have exactly the type of relationship you are thinking about.

I can't imagine what someone would have said to him in this country fi he had said that.

I can understand that you wouldn't have wanted to upset your friend but if it happens again or religion comes up I would ( for the sake of the friendship) gracefully say - 2I'm a catholic and my beliefs are a private matter to me, I don't discuss them with others". In my mind I'd say what business is it of yours while I smiled pleasantly