Would you say the same if your favourite political party/leaded behaved in the same manner AFTER they get elected?
Religious Assholes
- Thread starter westwoody
- Start date
I used to live in an neighborhood that got frequent visits from these folks, I guess someone had luck there once and they kept coming back.
I printed off some literature from a Secular Humanist organization (very tame stuff about using your brain and asking questions) and kept it by my front door. The next time the family from the JW came knocking I listened politely and when the dad passed me the magazine full of fire and brimstone I promised that I'd read it if they both did the same for my literature. I wouldn't take his magazine until he swore to me that he'd read my stuff and let his daughter read it too. He looked like his head was going to explode, I'm sure he damn well knew what evil thoughts I was trying to inflict upon them.
My address clearly made it to a blacklist of some kind because I didn't see them again for the five more years I lived there.
I printed off some literature from a Secular Humanist organization (very tame stuff about using your brain and asking questions) and kept it by my front door. The next time the family from the JW came knocking I listened politely and when the dad passed me the magazine full of fire and brimstone I promised that I'd read it if they both did the same for my literature. I wouldn't take his magazine until he swore to me that he'd read my stuff and let his daughter read it too. He looked like his head was going to explode, I'm sure he damn well knew what evil thoughts I was trying to inflict upon them.
My address clearly made it to a blacklist of some kind because I didn't see them again for the five more years I lived there.
It's mostly Mormons the last few years. They stopped after I put a sign on my door. Though prior to that I've done things like answer the door in a bath towel, or half naked (as I'm usually unclothed at home). I would make them uncomfortable. I'm not going to call them assholes, cause they aren't, they're usually just friendly people who have been sent by their organizations on "misssions" in temporary housing to proselytize door to door. They're quite polite usually and are otherwise willing to take no for an answer.
I just tell them that I'm not interested. If they persist I tell them that I'm atheist and I see a spark in their eyes that there is a challenge to have...I tell them not to go there. They go on their merry way 99.9% of the time.
The only person who persisted was my uncle with his Jehovah paraphernalia and bible....it turned into a debate that damaged the relationship for a decade....as he didn't like me pointing out inconsistencies and how horrible the omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent God could be if he , she or it existed . ( I don't want to discriminate here .... 😊)
The only person who persisted was my uncle with his Jehovah paraphernalia and bible....it turned into a debate that damaged the relationship for a decade....as he didn't like me pointing out inconsistencies and how horrible the omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent God could be if he , she or it existed . ( I don't want to discriminate here .... 😊)
Although religious assholes never buzz my apartment Enterphone, I sometimes am accosted by them when I'm out and about. At Skytrain stations, for example.
My standard reply is, "No thanks. I'm not superstitious."
When I get a reply denying they are superstitious, I ask them if snakes really can talk.
My standard reply is, "No thanks. I'm not superstitious."
When I get a reply denying they are superstitious, I ask them if snakes really can talk.
Unless they're following you to get in your face with pamphlets, there's no sense in trying to start this unnecessary "dialogue", just say "No thanks" and keep walking. No reason to walk up to their booths and try and be a smart ass.
I find it fascinating that we have the capability to go down the rabbit hole on everything from religion to conspiracy theories. The brain works in mysterious ways connecting dots to form beliefs and thought patterns that are at times wildly outrageous.
A great read to help unpack some of this is a book called "The Righteous Mind" by Jonathan Haidt.
A great read to help unpack some of this is a book called "The Righteous Mind" by Jonathan Haidt.
