How To Repel Mormons?

[driveway]

I invite them in, sit down for a nice long chat beginning with my dissertation on "Why Eve made the Right Choice" follow that up with a serious bong hit, and rarely, if ever, see them again.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Well, to tell you the truth, a curt "not interested" usually works. After that, if they persist, then they're fair game. They were jerks first.

Gotta agree with that.

If they continue even after you tell them you're not interested.....they're fair game.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by driveway

However, if one is of the opinion that organized religions in general and mormonism in particular are a) dangerous b) ridiculous and c) holding back the potential of the human race, then it behooves one to engage them in discussion in order to perhaps alleviate a tiny fraction of the suffering that religion in general and mormonism in particular is responsible for.

Suffering in this case being used in the existential, as opposed to the physical sense.

Engaging in a discussion....friendly and respectful I hope, is a lot different from acting like a prick.

[driveway]

^sometimes the ends justify the means though, don't they?

[Azure]

Originally Posted by driveway

^sometimes the ends justify the means though, don't they?

In a religious discussion? Considering they've literally been raised to that belief system their whole life, and its unlikely to change their viewpoint?

I wouldn't have much patience.

A lot of frustration too.

I guess in a way what I'm saying is that you can have your belief.....heck, you can even talk to me about it, but if I'm not interested....I'm not interested.

I'll respect you if you respect me.

Pretty simple.

[driveway]

Originally Posted by Azure

I'll respect you if you respect me.

Okay, fair enough. But what about those people who hold to beliefs that aren't necessarily deserving of respect? For example the guy from this thread:

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=58282

Why should the sentence "It's my religion" mean we automatically have to respect whatever ridiculous notions subsequently come out of a persons mouth? If I say Zack Stortini is the best player in the NHL people will not only think I'm a complete moron and lack any knowledge of the game, but they will lengthily explain to me why I am a moron.

I understand that spiritual beliefs are slightly different from understanding of a sport, but 'its my religion' doesn't make an idea, or the person who holds that idea, worthy of respect.

[algernon]

Occurrences of the word 'prick' count @ 5!
I wasn't sure if you were allowed to say 'prick' until this thread, but I'm glad you can.
To make up for any ill-karma, I will be nice to 'em next time they come around, and probably will offer them a snack, as others have mentioned.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Dion

Hahaha this guy is Gold!

Australian filmmaker John Safran is so fed up with Mormons ringing his doorbell early in the morning that he flies to Salt Lake City Utah and tries to convert Mormons to atheism. Needless to say, the locals were not pleased.

That is EFFIN brilliant, thanks for posting that Dion

[Rhetts_the_Best]

I usually just crank some some slayer or megadeth, put on a wife beater and walk around in my boxers! Works every time

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Locke

I usually try hiding. Seriously, I try not to even answer the door. Its when they show up at the crack of dawn and refuse to leave because "you've got to be in there" that drives me nuts.

Aside from that, hiding is my #1 strategy.

Just reminded me of a time when we tried to hide. We have a bi-level split. I heard the doorbell, went to see who was there and my wife just looked through the peephole and whispered to me that it was missionaries and not to answer it. I decided to go upstairs and get a snack and I tripped on the top step and fell heavily into the door. Felt like I kinda had to answer the door at that point.

[jammies]

Originally Posted by koop

Come on, I don't like them coming to my door and bothering me, but I don't think they go door to door to "take advantage of vulnerable people" unless I'm missing something. Their ideas may be loony, but I've never got the impression that they are trying to take advantage of people. What do they really have to gain anyways?.

They are trying to make converts - who do you think they are converting, people who are happy in their lives and well-grounded in their beliefs? They may not SEE it as taking advantage of the vulnerable, but that is exactly what it is.

As far as the people who claim it takes only 30-40 seconds of your time, have you never had them come when you were sleeping and wake you up? I have, more than once, and let me tell you I didn't just smile and say, "Oh, sorry, not interested! Bye-bye!"

Maybe I should just go by one of their churches one day, right in the middle of the service, open up the doors and yell, "Hey, morons, you're wasting your time with this idiocy! Let's all go grab a beer!" After all, it's "only a few seconds of their time" I'm taking, and I "sincerely think I'm doing them a favor" in extolling the virtues of a few brews over listening to some hairy-eyed preacher tell them a bunch of fairytales.

Then again, maybe I have better things to do with my time than annoy perfect strangers for no other reason than I think I know better than they do what is the "right" path through life.

[stang]

Originally Posted by Buff

They aren't allowed to use gmail

Screw that, im out.

Originally Posted by Rhetts_the_Best

I usually just crank some some slayer or megadeth, put on a wife beater and walk around in my boxers! Works every time

No wonder they never come to my house... Thats how I am whenever I am home..

Originally Posted by Buff

Just reminded me of a time when we tried to hide. We have a bi-level split. I heard the doorbell, went to see who was there and my wife just looked through the peephole and whispered to me that it was missionaries and not to answer it. I decided to go upstairs and get a snack and I tripped on the top step and fell heavily into the door. Felt like I kinda had to answer the door at that point.

This made me laugh...

Hiding Tip #1: Do NOT fall into door.

After falling heavily into the door I would have made my wife answer and you start yealling while she openign the door "Biotch, hurry the eff up and open the door or I will smack you again"

[onetwo_threefour]

Originally Posted by Azure

Talking about the chest-thumping mentioned above.....here is a perfect example.

I wonder if you reply the same way to the girl scout members that come to your door and try to tell you cookies. Maybe the Red Cross when they do door-to-door campaigns during desperate times, or any other volunteer organization that is trying to raise money.

Learn some respect and just say you're not interested. Unless of course you LIKE ruining someones day by being a prick.

What, with "no thanks not interested?" Actually that is usually how I reply to the Girl Guides. The cookies aren't as good as they were when I was younger.

As for being a prick... You should note that I already said I generally tell them I'm not interested. But you feel free to ignore that. I've never been rude to them. Even some JW's that once felt it was appropriate to wake me up while I was taking a nap at MRC between classes to talk to me about their ridiculous religion. I actually had a really good philosophical discussion with them after getting over the sleepiness.

I always just thought that our neighbours' down the street experience represented a good way for both the mormons to satisfy their missionary zeal, while keeping them from knocking on the doors of those of us who would prefer to be left alone. If that makes me a prick.... oh well, most people who know me would disagree. And since you don't know me, I won't be too hurt by your bizarre jumping to that conclusion...

[onetwo_threefour]

By the way.... they do go out of their way to target those that look alone, or vulnerable. Don't kid yourself. I've had it straight form the horse's mouth. "Oh we noticed, you were by yourself today, do you have Jesus in your life?"

[Antithesis]

Originally Posted by driveway

^sometimes the ends justify the means though, don't they?

No ... no, actually they don't. That's a ridiculous thing to say. And your Stortini example is a terrible one, by the way. Someone's belief in Stortini as a viable NHL player is nowhere near as personal as someone's relgious beliefs. It is one thing entirely to mock Oilers fans for thinking Stortini is anything other than the Missing Link but another entirely to insult someone's fundamental beliefs about their existence, whether you think they are absurd or not.

[Ford Prefect]

My Mormon/Jehova repelling method is to ask them if they have any sacrificial virgins they can lend me. This usually yields a look of combined fear, confusion, disbelief and bewilderment, followed by a stammered "nnooo" and a hasty retreat from my front step.

[eddly]

Hey guys.

I imagine Mormons are more in the spotlight now with Romney and now the FLDS fiasco. Understandable.

I was raised as a Mormon as well, and I served a mission for two years. I thought I'd post here and answer any questions that you guys may have. Anything is fair game, although I'm not going to get too personal. I like my web anonymity.

[algernon]

Originally Posted by onetwo_threefour

By the way.... they do go out of their way to target those that look alone, or vulnerable. Don't kid yourself. I've had it straight form the horse's mouth. "Oh we noticed, you were by yourself today, do you have Jesus in your life?"

"Actually, I sorta do. My Boyfriend's name is Jésus... but you're kinda cute"*


*Best said by a big, mean looking dude.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by driveway

Okay, fair enough. But what about those people who hold to beliefs that aren't necessarily deserving of respect? For example the guy from this thread:

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=58282

Tom Cruise? Or the other guy?

Personally, I wouldn't get into discussions with people like that, but more power to you if you have the patience to listen to their shtick, and even challenge them on it.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by onetwo_threefour

By the way.... they do go out of their way to target those that look alone, or vulnerable. Don't kid yourself. I've had it straight form the horse's mouth. "Oh we noticed, you were by yourself today, do you have Jesus in your life?"

"I'm fine...thanks...have a nice day."

Close the door.

Really isn't hard.