Holy rollers

I don't mean this as an anti-religion thread -- I was just curious ...

Do those of you in the UK or Australia have to deal with strangers banging on your door wanting to talk about Jesus on a Saturday afternoon when you're just trying to chill out and watch sports on TV?

So annoying, and I wonder who thinks this is a good idea.

Dunno - I'm usually out on Saturday afternoons.

At one time we hardly had a rest from bibul thumpuz, Jehovahs Witnesses were the worst but they have got the message now I think, we get a brace of them once a year if that.

You don't have to talk to them. Less said, the less opening you give them.

not often but you do get Mormon and JWs every once and a while.

veya_victaous wrote:not often but you do get Mormon and JWs every once and a while.

When I lived in Arizona--a Mormon state--never.  That's like carrying coals to Newcastle.  Mormons usually do missions in a foreign country.  They don't do door-to-door.

Ironically, I ran into two Mormon girls a week ago, and they were actually prosthelytizing.  We struck up a conversation and it was soon evident that I knew the Book of Mormon better than did they.  So we talked about the 3-state region (Idaho, Utah & Arizona) that Mormons occupy.  They were from Idaho.

Quill I live in a Foreign Country 
the Mormons are American more often than not.
but occasionally you get Pacific islanders that have been converted.

veya_victaous wrote:Quill I live in a Foreign Country 
the Mormons are American more often than not.
but occasionally you get Pacific islanders that have been converted.

Mormons do a one-year mission, usually around the sophomore year at university. They tend to opt for mission in a country other than the US.

I don't know what they do on mission. I'm not Mormon myself.

I've chatted with Mormons who were from the US. Nice chaps, but they didn't know everything.

Ben_Reilly wrote:I don't mean this as an anti-religion thread -- I was just curious ...

Do those of you in the UK or Australia have to deal with strangers banging on your door wanting to talk about Jesus on a Saturday afternoon when you're just trying to chill out and watch sports on TV?

So annoying, and I wonder who thinks this is a good idea.

Hi Ben, hope you're well x

About once a year we will get a knock on the door from JW's. I work with a guy who holds these beliefs. He's a lovely bloke, happy to talk to you about his faith if you want to, if you don't he's fine too.

It's takes a lot of dedication as far as I can see, in fact he took a demotion to spend more time with his family and studying his religion.

Raggamuffin wrote:Dunno - I'm usually out on Saturday afternoons.

Out knocking on doors and handing out pamphlets?

Ben_Reilly wrote:

Raggamuffin wrote:Dunno - I'm usually out on Saturday afternoons.

Out knocking on doors and handing out pamphlets?

Yes, so don't settle down to watch the sport next Saturday ...

Raggamuffin wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:

Out knocking on doors and handing out pamphlets?

Yes, so don't settle down to watch the sport next Saturday ...

Evil Raggs

feelthelove wrote:

Raggamuffin wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:

Out knocking on doors and handing out pamphlets?

Yes, so don't settle down to watch the sport next Saturday ...

Evil Raggs

That's an expensive plane ticket to come bother me

Ben_Reilly wrote:

feelthelove wrote:

Evil Raggs

That's an expensive plane ticket to come bother me

I'm sure you're worth it Ben x

feelthelove wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:

feelthelove wrote:

Evil Raggs

That's an expensive plane ticket to come bother me

I'm sure you're worth it Ben x

Well sure, but I can just look at that stuff online too

Ben_Reilly wrote:I don't mean this as an anti-religion thread -- I was just curious ...

Do those of you in the UK or Australia have to deal with strangers banging on your door wanting to talk about Jesus on a Saturday afternoon when you're just trying to chill out and watch sports on TV?

So annoying, and I wonder who thinks this is a good idea.

Easy Ben, Victor made me a Pagan Green Man that is on my front door, bit like this:




They see that and don't knock lol

I live in a foreign country, Englandstan.

Stormee wrote:I live in a foreign country, Englandstan.

I heard that it's only something like 90 percent British white nowadays! You poor little dear.

Original Quill wrote:

veya_victaous wrote:Quill I live in a Foreign Country 
the Mormons are American more often than not.
but occasionally you get Pacific islanders that have been converted.

Mormons do a one-year mission, usually around the sophomore year at university.  They tend to opt for mission in a country other than the US.

I don't know what they do on mission.  I'm not Mormon myself.

door knock, stand in plazas trying to hand out pamphlets and speak to people about their god
standard stuff, almost impossible to tell the difference between them and JWs, until they talk and accent gives them away

Original Quill wrote:

veya_victaous wrote:Quill I live in a Foreign Country 
the Mormons are American more often than not.
but occasionally you get Pacific islanders that have been converted.

Mormons do a one-year mission, usually around the sophomore year at university. They tend to opt for mission in a country other than the US.

I don't know what they do on mission. I'm not Mormon myself.

Its a gap year between high school and college, although in exceptional circumstances it can be delayed.

Men are strongly "encouraged " to go, women not so much but they do. Sometimes older couples who have no children and/or are retired go on shorter missions.

They also don't tend to opt - they are told where to go.

Have a look at this. Not 100% accurate but gives good background
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missionary_(LDS_Church)#Mission_call

Ben_Reilly wrote:I don't mean this as an anti-religion thread -- I was just curious ...

Do those of you in the UK or Australia have to deal with strangers banging on your door wanting to talk about Jesus on a Saturday afternoon when you're just trying to chill out and watch sports on TV?

So annoying, and I wonder who thinks this is a good idea.

Got them in the UK and here a lot in spite of a sign saying no solicitors - methinks they don't know what it means.

I want the one that says:

NO SOLICITING
We are too broke to buy anything

We know who we are voting for

We have found Jesus

Seriously, unless you are selling Thin Mints

PLEASE GO AWAY

Cass wrote:

Original Quill wrote:

Mormons do a one-year mission, usually around the sophomore year at university.  They tend to opt for mission in a country other than the US.

I don't know what they do on mission.  I'm not Mormon myself.

Its a gap year between high school and college, although in exceptional circumstances it can be delayed.

Men are strongly "encouraged " to go, women not so much but they do. Sometimes older couples who have no children and/or are retired go on shorter missions.

They also don't tend to opt - they are told where to go.

Have a look at this. Not 100% accurate but gives good background
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missionary_(LDS_Church)#Mission_call

TY Cass, I learned something. Are they always told where to go. Cause some of the missions are pretty sexy...France, Netherlands, Italy....

Original Quill wrote:

Cass wrote:
Its a gap year between high school and college, although in exceptional circumstances it can be delayed.
Men are strongly "encouraged " to go, women not so much but they do. Sometimes older couples who have no children and/or are retired go on shorter missions.

They also don't tend to opt - they are told where to go.
Have a look at this. Not 100% accurate but gives good background
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missionary_(LDS_Church)#Mission_call

TY Cass, I learned something. Are they always told where to go. Cause some of the missions are pretty sexy...France, Netherlands, Italy....

Yes one of my volunteers is one and his brother got lucky and got Spain. Ended up marrying a Spanish girl and stayed. One of juniors best friends is on his currently in Brazil and he knows another in Australia. I get some of the male elders coming into the library to use the computers - they are always very nice.

Cass wrote:

Original Quill wrote:
TY Cass, I learned something.  Are they always told where to go.  Cause some of the missions are pretty sexy...France, Netherlands, Italy....

Yes one of my volunteers is one and his brother got lucky and got Spain. Ended up marrying a Spanish girl and stayed. One of juniors best friends is on his currently in Brazil and he knows another in Australia. I get some of the male elders coming into the library to use the computers - they are always very nice.

Yes, Mormons are always nice. Just like they are always pretty...combed hair, super clean. But they are insular. They are always distant to outsiders.

Am I the only one who isn't rude to them!
I open my door and say the same thing every time:

"Sorry I don't do religion, I like a little bit of each religion so I chose no religion. I have God in my heart though. I hope you have a very lovely day"

They always smile and always say "thank you so much" and they always leave without feeling horrible.

Usually, I'm the same way with other religions.  But I am interested in the doctrines of the LDS religion.  So, when I get the chance I will engage in dialogue.

Problem is, most of the missionaries are not prepared for anything other than a superficial discussion.  I love discussing Book of Mormon, 17.2.4.2.1, but by the time I get that out they are already yawning.

God in Mormonism wrote:Being nontrinitarian, the teachings of the LDS Church differ from other Christian churches' theologies as established, for example, in the First Council of Constantinople. Mormon cosmology teaches the existence of other "gods" such as is exhibited in the concept of the Godhead being three, separate, distinct beings.

Exploring the differences between LDS doctrine and Christian doctrine is fascinating.  Most Mormans do not even realize they are not Christian.  They put "Jesus Christ" in their name (Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints) apparently without realizing that he is not the same person.  I don't know...could this be intentional?

eddie wrote:Am I the only one who isn't rude to them!
I open my door and say the same thing every time:

"Sorry I don't do religion, I like a little bit of each religion so I chose no religion. I have God in my heart though. I hope you have a very lovely day"

They always smile and always say "thank you so much" and they always leave without feeling horrible.

I'm not rude to them at all, and sometimes I chat to them.

eddie wrote:Am I the only one who isn't rude to them!
I open my door and say the same thing every time:

"Sorry I don't do religion, I like a little bit of each religion so I chose no religion. I have God in my heart though. I hope you have a very lovely day"

They always smile and always say "thank you so much" and they always leave without feeling horrible.

I thought I was polite; I heard them out, nodded and uh-huhed, and told them I already have a church.

one of lifes great, comical and once in a life time coincidences happened to me vis some Mormons

theres me, dressed in a proper old )celtic era) travelling cloak, staff in hand, sat outside the shopping center in Stoke on trent.
the weather is thundery and its dark and drizzling

up comes said small paty of mormons and say to me

"do you have god in your life"

well now...me bing in a FOUL mood and not exactly full of the milk of human kindness stands up and streches to my full height and thunders ...

YES...BUT NOT YOUR GOD
at the same time slamming the butt of my staff onto the ground

now THAT in itself probably gave them pause to think

but...just at the same time there is an almighty flash of lightening and almost upon the same instant the thunder...(the strike hit the shopping center lightening conductor)


do you know...I have never seen such a panic stricken bunch of "beleivers" in my life...

for some reason they lost all interest in conversing with me

I can only assume they went back to their lodgings/whatever to get a change of underwear....

as I said pure theatrical coincidence...but what comedy value....

i was still in hysterics of laughter when the missus and daughter came out from their shopping...


mind the look on the faces of various passers by was quite priceless too....


one of those moments you wish you had a video recorder running full time.......

Great story.  Talk about perfect emphasis.  Don't you wish you had included your three wishes in your answer?  

Like: "....not your god...an', an', I want a bicycle an' a million pounds and a, a..."

eddie wrote:Am I the only one who isn't rude to them!
I open my door and say the same thing every time:

"Sorry I don't do religion, I like a little bit of each religion so I chose no religion. I have God in my heart though. I hope you have a very lovely day"

They always smile and always say "thank you so much" and they always leave without feeling horrible.

No I'm never rude to them either at home or at work. Same with people trying to sell stuff or phone surveys. I politely tell them no thank you and have a good day.

Original Quill wrote:

Great story.  Talk about perfect emphasis.  Don't you wish you had included your three wishes in your answer?  

Like: "....not your god...an', an', I want a bicycle an' a million pounds and a, a..."

I tell you quill....I had tears of laughter running down my face....I'm quite sure i twisted something laughing

like i said coincidence I hope....if it WASNT coincidence there are questions that need asking...and I dont think we would like the answers...

Cass wrote:

eddie wrote:Am I the only one who isn't rude to them!
I open my door and say the same thing every time:

"Sorry I don't do religion, I like a little bit of each religion so I chose no religion. I have God in my heart though. I hope you have a very lovely day"

They always smile and always say "thank you so much" and they always leave without feeling horrible.

No I'm never rude to them either at home or at work. Same with people trying to sell stuff or phone surveys. I politely tell them no thank you and have a good day.

I try to be really polite to people who ring trying to sell something or do surveys, but it's getting to me. I don't answer the phone most of the time now. I'm on that list thing where they're not supposed to ring as well.

Ben_Reilly wrote:I don't mean this as an anti-religion thread -- I was just curious ...

Do those of you in the UK or Australia have to deal with strangers banging on your door wanting to talk about Jesus on a Saturday afternoon when you're just trying to chill out and watch sports on TV?

So annoying, and I wonder who thinks this is a good idea.

called bible thumper s over hear
personally i love them unfortunately my wife doesn`t and made me ask the Mormons i had invited in "for a we chat" to leave when they knocked on the door .
"get them the fuck out of my house"
was as i recall her exact words

..i was so disappointed :-(

my brother always invites them in with the words "please come in i worship the devil" reinforced because on his walls are AC/DC ,RAINBOW ect memrobilia they generally don`t come in

Raggamuffin wrote:

Cass wrote:
No I'm never rude to them either at home or at work. Same with people trying to sell stuff or phone surveys. I politely tell them no thank you and have a good day.

I try to be really polite to people who ring trying to sell something or do surveys, but it's getting to me. I don't answer the phone most of the time now. I'm on that list thing where they're not supposed to ring as well.

I feel the same. We've had 2 just tonight as well as 1 today when I was sleeping. Its terribly annoying when I'm in the middle of cooking or a program.

We're on the list too but governmental robocalls and charities are exempt. We're getting more and more from service Providers like satellite Tv or Internet tryingbto get us to "upgrade " or buy bigger packages.

Sadly there are also a lot of phone scams going on and people keep falling for them. We also just found out that both of our details were in a big hack of government workers including our fingerprints. They have given us free credit reporting coverage but FFS!

Back to the religion thing - we are getting more and more junk mail from churches or religious organizations. I alwayscwant to write back and say use the money you have just spent mailing me junk that I didn't ask for!

The list doesn't work.  I had a class action suit over it.

The list was well intended, but as soon as the Republicans came into Congress during the Bush years, they passed an addendum that carved out an exception that if you had a 'prior relationship' with the party, you were exempt from the list.  And the 'prior relationship' was established when you called to say don't call. Neat huh?

Republicans...pro business.

Cass wrote:

Raggamuffin wrote:

I try to be really polite to people who ring trying to sell something or do surveys, but it's getting to me. I don't answer the phone most of the time now. I'm on that list thing where they're not supposed to ring as well.

I feel the same. We've had 2 just tonight as well as 1 today when I was sleeping.  Its terribly annoying when I'm in the middle of cooking or a program.

We're on the list too but governmental robocalls and charities are exempt. We're getting more and more from service Providers like satellite Tv or Internet tryingbto get us to "upgrade " or buy bigger packages.

Sadly there are also a lot of phone scams going on and people keep falling for them. We also just found out that both of our details were in a big hack of government workers including our fingerprints. They have given us free credit reporting coverage but FFS!

Back to the religion thing - we are getting more and more junk mail from churches or religious organizations. I alwayscwant to write back and say use the money you have just spent mailing me junk that I didn't ask for!

I find it all quite tiresome. I'm not the sort of person who just puts the phone down or tells them to go away because I think they're just doing their job and I don't want to be rude, but if you don't do that you can't get a word in, and you end up listening for ages and wondering what to say.

I get a lot of mail from charities, so I don't give money to any of them any more - they'll only pass on my name and I'll be even more swamped.

Original Quill wrote:The list doesn't work.  I had a class action suit over it.

The list was well intended, but as soon as the Republicans came into Congress during the Bush years, they passed an addendum that carved out an exception that if you had a 'prior relationship' with the party, you were exempt from the list.  And the 'prior relationship' was established when you called to say don't call.  Neat huh?

Republicans...pro business.

I thought the TPS worked for a while, and then the calls started creeping up again.

Raggamuffin wrote:

Original Quill wrote:The list doesn't work.  I had a class action suit over it.

The list was well intended, but as soon as the Republicans came into Congress during the Bush years, they passed an addendum that carved out an exception that if you had a 'prior relationship' with the party, you were exempt from the list.  And the 'prior relationship' was established when you called to say don't call.  Neat huh?

Republicans...pro business.

I thought the TPS worked for a while, and then the calls started creeping up again.

TPS?  That means temporary protected status, and refers to...

US Citizenship & Immigration Service wrote:What is TPS
The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country's nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately.  USCIS may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries), who are already in the United States.  Eligible individuals without nationality who last resided in the designated country may also be granted TPS.

I was talking about phone solicitations.  A Republican Congress vitiated the law by creating a loophole larger than the protection: anyone with prior contact could go around a blocked phone.  And prior contact meant contact to invoke the block.

Original Quill wrote:

Raggamuffin wrote:

I thought the TPS worked for a while, and then the calls started creeping up again.

TPS?  That means temporary protected status, and refers to...

US Citizenship & Immigration Service wrote:What is TPS
The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country's nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately.  USCIS may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries), who are already in the United States.  Eligible individuals without nationality who last resided in the designated country may also be granted TPS.

I was talking about phone solicitations.  A Republican Congress vitiated the law by creating a loophole larger than the blockage.

It means Telephone Preference Service over here. You can sign up to it to stop unsolicited calls.

http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/index.html

Raggamuffin wrote:

Original Quill wrote:

TPS?  That means temporary protected status, and refers to...



I was talking about phone solicitations.  A Republican Congress vitiated the law by creating a loophole larger than the blockage.

It means Telephone Preference Service over here. You can sign up to it to stop unsolicited calls.

http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/index.html

I'm only speaking about what happened to the law in the US.

Original Quill wrote:

Raggamuffin wrote:

It means Telephone Preference Service over here. You can sign up to it to stop unsolicited calls.

http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/index.html

I'm only speaking about what happened to the law in the US.

Eh? I was talking about the TPS before you started talking about that.

You asked what TPS meant because I referred to it, and I told you.

Apparently, our law in the US was similar. That's what happened to our law.

Well anyway, you can sign up to the TPS here, but still get calls. If you tell them you're on the TPS they often just hang up or say they won't call again. It all puts me off answering the phone at all though.

Raggamuffin wrote:Well anyway, you can sign up to the TPS here, but still get calls. If you tell them you're on the TPS they often just hang up or say they won't call again. It all puts me off answering the phone at all though.

It would me too. The whole point is not to be bothered.

Original Quill wrote:

Raggamuffin wrote:Well anyway, you can sign up to the TPS here, but still get calls. If you tell them you're on the TPS they often just hang up or say they won't call again. It all puts me off answering the phone at all though.

It would me too.  The whole point is not to be bothered.

Yes, but it might be someone I know. They can leave a message of course, but it's a bit annoying to feel reluctant to answer your own phone.