Religious Solicitations and Why I Don't Like ThemPrior to living in Utah for five years with the military, the only time I had ever been exposed to a front-door solicitation by a person representing any type of church was just after we'd moved to south Texas when I was still in High School.
It was 8:30 in the morning.
They were very persistent.
They rang the doorbell three times.
They knocked loudly on the door.
I thought it was a neighbor in trouble.
Even though I had worked until late at night at Hardee's, I went to the door.
And there...
stood...
Two church ladies.
On a Saturday morning.
I....was mad.
Not only because it was early and they had made sure to wake up whomever was in the house, but also because even at that young age I thought it was just plain wrong to show up at someone's door and try and make them question their belief system.
Wrong....wrong....wrong.
Now, I know they'd been told by their church that this was their mission and all they were trying to do was "save" people. I don't think they were trying to be mean or that anything nefarious was going on.
But....I think if someone was of the mindset to question their beliefs then they would voluntarily look for answers. Missionaries don't have to chase them down, for crying out loud!!
So anyway...prior to moving to Utah in my late 20's that was the one and only time someone tried to "save" me from the Catholic church.
Then we moved into a hard-core Mormon neighborhood filled with churches on every other corner. They must have gotten our address from the city and compared it with church lists and found that we had not converted to "The One True Religion". Needless to say every missionary in the area made visits to the house. I told each and every one of them to please take me off the master list and to not come back and that I was Catholic. But they were relentless. I took to not answering the door unless I was expecting a guest. Seriously, it was at least twice a month, and at very inconvenient times these people would come to the door.
On the upside....every house around us kept two years worth of food storage in preparation for the end of the world, so I knew we would be covered there since they were, after all, very kind, giving people. I just didn't happen to agree with their religion.
So here a few days ago a couple young missionaries (boys this time) came to the door. I told them that I was Catholic (as I do) and that I had lived in Utah so I knew what they were up to. Of course, then they asked me where, etc. and we had a short chat. Then they asked me what religion everyone else in the neighborhood was and I told them they were mostly Catholic, Methodist, and non-denominational and that as far as I knew they were all very devout so I didn't think they had any chance of converting anyone. Then of course they asked me if I'd read their "book". I told them no and that I really didn't have any interest in reading it. They thanked me politely and left.
Then a day after that I was on the phone with my mom up in Wisconsin...and guess what? Two missionaries came to her door!! They are everywhere!
But you know what happened before that? When we were in Dublin, Ireland in October there was a Mormon missionary who had strategically placed himself in front of a bridge sign I wanted to take a picture of. Of course, he went right into the banter, asking us where we were from, etc. Again I told him I was Catholic, I had lived in Utah, I knew what his gig was, and that all I really wanted to do was take a picture of the bridge sign. He kind of chuckled and graciously stepped aside. Smart move.
If you have been a missionary or are currently a missionary I do apologize if I have offended you. I know either you have been told you were/are doing the right thing or actually truly believe that. I don't fault you for that. But I do fault the whole premise that just because someone has different beliefs than you they need to be somehow "saved" from themselves.
I believe that if you live your life in a moral way, raise your kids to contribute positively to society, and treat others the way you would like to be treated, then it does not matter what or whom you believe in as long as you believe in something.
To sit in judgment of others and try and lead them to believe they will not be let into whatever your idea of heaven is is just plain wrong. At least...that's what I think.
In closing, I will say that missionaries and church charity workers do a lot of good in the community and they have helped many people do better for themselves in life. However...that help should not come at the price of their personal beliefs.
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Comments
They mean well- certainly no malice.
That said, when they ring my dooebell (and they do, on a pretty regular basis), I invite them in, informing them they have to remove their pants, in addition to to removing their shoes, as that is a house rule (no, I really do not make visitors go shoeless or pantless). They look rather stunned and then they get it.
They laugh and move on. Works every time.
Posted by: sigmund, carl and alfred on April 2, 2006 10:08 AM
I so dislike people who push their beliefs onto me. Makes me want to "play" with their minds a little. Try to throw them off their script. Tease them into the dead-end gorge and then into the crossfire of absurdity that is becoming my life.
Posted by: DrinkJack ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://thepeachpit.net/nav-commenters.gif)
on March 31, 2006 09:52 PM
Ame.... I mean, right on! ;-)
Posted by: G on March 31, 2006 04:29 PM
I think it's rude, insulting and uber-annoying, though I'll concede they should have the right to try. I also think that saying ANY rude thing back to them is totally acceptable, as their whole premise is, "You're wrong!"
P.S. I believe in nothing, though I still think I do your three things, depending on your exact definitions.
Posted by: Paula on March 31, 2006 12:13 PM
