[MissyChrissy]

We're supposed to have it, but sometimes I feel like we don't. I really have to vent about this woman's nerve this morning. I was parked along with my other park-and-riders, waiting for our bus together, but each of us sitting in our own cars ('cause it was chilly out) and I noticed a lady standing at the window of the van behind me. I thought she knew Donna (the other woman I ride with) and didn't pay much attention to it...but when we got on the bus I discovered she was there passing out religious literature!! I'm all for believing whatever you want, and I'd never try to talk someone out of their beliefs, but jeepers creepers don't freaking bother me with that stuff while I go about my life!! I don't know how I can explain how it made me feel...but it's almost like my civil liberty, my freedom to live FROM religion, doesn't exist. Because there are no "No Soliciting" signs on the tree we park near, I may well get cornered and I just think that's unfair. I know darned well if I told her I was an agnostic, it would have triggered a need in her to 'pray for me' and all heck would have broken loose. I don't ask for that crap-I don't want it...I wish those people would only answer questions that are asked of them. Not accost innocent people on their way to work. It really made me angry because I don't want to enter into debates with people about my beliefs, but I'm not going to pretend and smile and nod and sit through an un-asked-for sermon either.

[purelegance]

s: we get people like that all the time, only they normally come to the door and want to have hour long conversations. personally, i don't mind if somebody hands me a piece of literature, but i like to learn about other religions (christianity, paganism, buddhism, etc) and i can always throw it away. it's when they tell me I am wrong for being christian-united methodist instead of catholic/buddhist/pagan that i get upset.

is there anyone you can submit a complaint to?

[Samual]

We get it a lot here, where I live people sit in their cars so that when you get home they can pounce on you before you even get in your house. The people that do this just wont leave you alone, but if I even mention my religion to them they threaten to have me done for religious hatred, as obviously me being a part of a different religion means I am suppressing them.

[jkl123]

I am not sure if you realize it, but a lot of religions 'require' these practices (going out to try to "reach" others and "preach the word"), so really all she was doing was practicing HER religion- also protected by our constitution. Now, had you said she was solicitating, and that was what bothers you, that would be one thing, but because you threw 'religion' into it, that becomes a grey area (like, why is your right for freedomFROM religion more important than her right to practice HER religion).

I actually am just playing devil's advocate here - I don't personally like those approaches either, espec. when they come to the door talking to my children - but under the constitution, it is their right.

And on the same subject, but not to start an uproar here - that is why marriage should not be labeled "between a man and a woman" if you use the Bible as your reference point. "Freedom from religion" should be in respect to all.

[MissyChrissy]

Originally Posted by jkl123

I am not sure if you realize it, but a lot of religions 'require' these practices (going out to try to "reach" others and "preach the word"), so really all she was doing was practicing HER religion- also protected by our constitution. Now, had you said she was solicitating, and that was what bothers you, that would be one thing, but because you threw 'religion' into it, that becomes a grey area (like, why is your right for freedomFROM religion more important than her right to practice HER religion).

I actually am just playing devil's advocate here - I don't personally like those approaches either, espec. when they come to the door talking to my children - but under the constitution, it is their right.

And on the same subject, but not to start an uproar here - that is why marriage should not be labeled "between a man and a woman" if you use the Bible as your reference point. "Freedom from religion" should be in respect to all.

I totally agree that freedom from religion should be in respect to all--I 100% support gay rights and feel they should be able to marry each other. Marriage should be between two people who love each other. I wish people would stop trying to use the bible to win any argument. It doesn't fly with me.

imo, having someone walk up to me while I'm minding my own business with the intent of 'converting' me, they're soliciting. I joked about putting a 'no solicitation' sign on my car....maybe I'll do just that.

[Samual]

A lot of people have the wrong approach, we get quite a lot of JW's and Mormons handing out leaflets and knocking on your door (even though we live more than half an hour from the nearest house!). If they actually speak about their religion, why they believe certain things etc, then it makes for a really good interesting discussion, but when they stand there and give you a lecture about how evil you are, it isn't exactly going to encourage people to explore different beliefs!

Joe, a friend of mine teaches people all about the Qur'an but he will also tell everyone similarities with different religions and talk about current topics positively and negatively influencing religion. This in my opinion, is good 'advertisement' of religion. I can happily talk to him about my own religion and I know he isn't going to throw anything in my face, instead he takes interest and quite often will pick a passage from the Qur'an and show me the message as it relates to my own belief and I do the same for him.

Chris however (who has just been sacked from his job for being aggressive to people outside his religion) knocks on peoples doors or corners them in the street telling them how horrible they are and he and his people are above them and all sorts of rubbish, he practices CofE then goes around doing that! He can't expect people to listen to him or respect him when he is plain rude and cannot practice what he preaches.

[DK615617]

I wouldn't be offended by people that are doing what their religion requires them to do...as long as they are respectful about it. I know people can be annoying sometimes, but if you think about it, in their eyes they are trying to do you a favor. (You may not want it)
Is there a reason that you are so against religion? I am sure that most people are not trying to be offensive.
The funny thing is we had some Jehovas Witness's (spelled wrong I am sure) come through today....I felt bad cuz I did not open the door.(But I do not open the door to ANYONE that I didn not invite......call me paranoid but if I didn't invite you I am not opening the door, man woman, child, NO ONE.) I didn't feel offended that they came though.....they have the right to talk to people, just like we have the right not to listen.

(Also sorry if I have ever told you I would pray for you in one of your posts....I sometimes do that thinking that if someone is having a bad day or something that they would appreciate a pray or two.....I never thought that it might be offensive. Oops.)

Maybe the no soliciting sticker on your bumper would be a good idea.

[Samual]

I don't like it when people pray for those who don't ask for such an act, in my religion we don't call it prayer normally, but I would never pray for someone that wasn't part of my religion and if they were part of my religion a prayer should only be carried out when requested.

[DK615617]

Samual,
I guess I see your point.
I never thought about it being offensive. In my opinion...if there is something cr@ppy going on in my life I will take all the prayers I can get!! Doesn't matter what religion.
But, I guess I see where you are coming from.

[oweirdo]

i think saying a prayer for someone, whether or not they asked for it, is always a helpful thing. it does not matter to me what you believe, the thought that you will say a word to your god in hopes to help me, is a help. I have often thought, when I say I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts, if it offended the person. but I think that most people find some comfort in the fact that someone cares enough to think of them. Its just another form of love, no matter what you believe.

as for going door to door, or car to car, I don't really enjoy it. We have had people show up saying that what I believe is wrong, and their way is right. That is no way to approach it! Our church does not do things like that, we try to be a community help, show love and kindness. that goes much farther than knocking and pushing papers on people.