A church just dropped about 20 teens in my neighborhood

[Julie Smith]

 

If you live in the US, you'd have to be seriously unobservant to not notice Christmas, for example.  

 

 

I live in Canada. 

 

A few months ago we were visiting my husband's aunt and uncle. They live near a very nice recreation center with the best pools ever. So we stopped in for a swim. When we arrived the place was PACKED. They had: 

 

- Preformers walking around on stilts. 

- Clowns

- Jugglers

- Face Painting

- Balloon Artists

- Life Music

- Free Swim time (65 m Pool, 25 m Pool, Diving Boards, Warm Water Pool, Hydro Therapy Pool, 150' Waterslide, Aquatic Climbing Wall, Sauna, Pool Toys & Slides)

- Free Skating time

- Free photo booth pictures

- Free pancakes with Nutella

- Free Nutella samples

 

I asked 2 different people what was going on, and both looked at me as if I just asked the world's stupidest question and said, "It's Nutella Day!". 

 

[*LC]

Scarlett, you have handled answering questions well.

 

This isn't a big deal to me; I chalk it up to being part of society.

 

Of course, I admit I received the first (maybe second) LDS missionary visit of my life a few months ago. I know the JW visits I have had in my life are less than five. I don't think I have ever received visits from any other religion. So, this is barely on my radar.

 

We do get other visitors though, and we had a weird thing happen that stopped interaction with them for a while. Our front door broke; you could not open it at all. So, when someone came to the door selling something (or whatever), I simply looked through the side window and said, "I'm sorry. Our door doesn't work. It won't open. Good-bye." They all left without a sales pitch or whatever. Not a single person ever asked, "Well, how do you get in?" When a deputy came to the door, I explained the door was broken and invited him to the side of the house. (He was serving a subponea for me to appear as a grand jury witness.)

 

Another thought for anyone who does not like these visits, is to get one of the video doorbells. Some you can answer even if you are not an home.

 

P.S. My church offers a weeklong summer program at an apartment complex that is part of the area's free summer lunch program for kids. It is mainly inhabited by Spanish-speaking immigrants. During the outdoor program, activities and games are led by volunteers on the common space of the apartment complex. The program lasts for a couple of hours and ends when the lunches are delivered that day by other volunteers. In addition, there is a Bible lesson each day that is taught under the pavilion in Spanish by the Spanish-minister at our church. One day during last year's program a fellow volunteer, who is fluent in Spanish, was talking to three tween girls and she mentioned Jesus. The girls had no clue who she was talking about. She repeated her question in Spanish, and they still did not know who she was talking about. She asked about the day's Bible lesson, and they could answer her questions. (It had been an Old Testament lesson, so it was not about Jesus.)

[pinkmint]

This certainly has been a thought provoking thread. 

 

I became a bible believing Christian as an adult and I very clearly remember prior to then how kooky and irritating people who tried to evangelize me/others came off as. It wasn't until a lady who was my co-worker built a relationship with me without ever trying to harass me about her Christian faith that I softened up a bit to hear what she was saying.

 

Whether or not people believe that Jesus is who he says he is, I think it's important to share one's faith with discernment, not having some agenda of putting notches in their belt how many people that they can harass that week. 

 

And IMO as far as everyone being Christian in our culture I really think things have been watered down so that it's hard to even know what a person means when they say they are one. 

 

Chick tracts... I saw those all the time as a teen/ young adult. It's amusing to think about at this point because I would sometimes collect them for the irony and whimsy, and I guess dark humor of it. Proof of how weird and crazy Christians are. I have a collection of them actually for the art value. I do like the comic motif. Chick tracts had a heavy presence in southern California, Orange county anyway in the 1990's. Jack Chick was from Chino I think. I saw those things all the time. 

[dirty ethel rackham]

I understand why people go door to door and try to be kind but firm if I don't share their beliefs. That being said, I prefer friendship evangelism. I think it's better to have a genuine interest in getting to know someone first, and then any sharing of faith beliefs would or would not naturally come up in conversation. I generally don't like to ambush people or cram something down their throats which they have no desire to hear. Getting to know someone first lets you know what doors are open. I still maintain friendships regardless.

When I hear "friendship evangelism" I think of those people who befriended me, earned my trust, then went on to try to convert me to their religion, using all sorts of sneaky techniques.  I was shocked and saddened and humiliated to learn that our friendship was a sham, only to convert me.  She was Evangelical, I was Catholic and, apparently, not "Christian."  Here, I thought I had a friendship based upon mutual respect and it was a lie. 

 

 

A minister in my area who serves people experiencing homelessness has commented on this... in seminary he was taught to address people's "felt needs" and then bring them around to talking about Jesus, as a caring friend. Except he has found that nearly everybody he talks to is already Christian. He's still happy to talk about his faith, but serving people needs to be about serving people. Being a friend has to be about being a friend. Not winning souls.

:iagree:

 

I do not know that the majority of peopl are annoyed. And no I do not think I am being selfish.

I can assure that you that most people are annoyed.  They are just too polite to show how annoyed they are.  I used to try to be kind when I was bothered by anyone uninvited ringing my doorbell.  And I am sure they all thought I as not annoyed.  But, I was. 

 

What about a 'No Solicitation' sign?

Unfortunately, many people ignore that sign because they don't consider what they are doing "soliciting."  Some communities have a more precise legal definition of "soliciting," having to do with selling.  I had someone tell me that they weren't soliciting, they were peddling. 

 

Anyway, I just hate having people ring my doorbell.  I have a big window into my living room not far from my front door.  There is no way I can hide.  Like other posters mentioned, the doorbell ringing is anxiety producing.  I even experience a certain level of fight or flight response that takes precious energy ... some days in very short supply. 

[Arcadia]

When I was a kid, we would answer the door with the latch on and a cordless phone which speed dial to the non-emergency police line. My dad had to call the police once over religious harassment because the people refused to leave despite my dad saying he is a Taoist and not interested and they continue to loiter in front of our main door within the doormat area.

 

I have stayed in different gated complexes for the past 14 years which do not allow outsiders so no knocking on doors or loitering at corridors. Anyone can call the complex's security to escort the outsider out. If a guest is lost, the security can escort the guest to the correct unit and verify. We had neighbors (college kids) who went door to door selling newspapers subscriptions and they were given a warning after complaints. The nearby church would spam mail everyone now and then with invites but that is not as harassing as door to door.

 

My husband had bad experiences with evangelizing classmates in middle and high school. I have always been less diplomatic and would give my tired and very annoyed look.

[HS Mom in NC]

Never heard of Chick Tracts before now.  Not a fan of tracts.

For the sake of disclosure I'm in the evangelical wing of Christianity myself, but I'm of the "Be prepared to give answer for the hope that you have" type.  If you aren't showing any interest in my faith as it naturally comes up in conversation, and it does sometimes, and aren't asking me any questions, then I assume you aren't interested.  The churches I've been to over the years have done occasional cold call door knocking. I'm not aware of it resulting in anyone attending church. I don't participate.

 

I think the only time 15 year olds should be involved in that is if they're observing a mature believer responding to the person who showed an interest in some way before the door knock.  Plenty of churches follow up with visitors that way, but here in the big city SW US it's generally expected that someone call before coming over.  I wouldn't go to a close relative's house without calling first. I think it should apply to evangelists and solicitors too.

I'm categorically bothered by opt outs.  I resent being added to groups on FB without being asked permission beforehand.  I resent cold call solicitations in general.  I resent door to door sales and charity collecting. 

I'm a big advocate of service oriented evangelism where a need is met and afterward the option of listening to someone talk about our faith is available and genuine relationship evangelism where you meet the needs of those around me because of my genuine love for them like Jesus's genuine love for me.  When the recipient asks about it, I give an answer for the hope that I have.

[HS Mom in NC]

Also, I'm outraged that I can't get Thin Mints year round.  This conveys my thoughts on everything wrong with their annual door to door sales: 

[KarenC]

When I hear "friendship evangelism" I think of those people who befriended me, earned my trust, then went on to try to convert me to their religion, using all sorts of sneaky techniques.  I was shocked and saddened and humiliated to learn that our friendship was a sham, only to convert me.  She was Evangelical, I was Catholic and, apparently, not "Christian."  Here, I thought I had a friendship based upon mutual respect and it was a lie. 

 

 

This happened to my daughter when she was a young teen.  She's always had a hard time making friends and was thrilled when this girl started hanging out with her and inviting her places.  Later, she found out she was being recruited for the girl's church.  Whoever brought in the most new members got a prize.  My dd was devastated.  It was a very bad experience.

[Cindy in FL.]

I'm sorry that this happened to you. It's screwed up, in my opinion. When I use the term "friendship evangelism" I am referring to sharing or not sharing about your faith (as there is interest) within naturally occurring relationships. I would never target someone, and I would not continue to talk about faith issues if the person did not want to. So, my friendships don't hinge on their willingness to listen or accept my evangelism attempts because that's not what the relationship was based on to begin with.

 

 

When I hear "friendship evangelism" I think of those people who befriended me, earned my trust, then went on to try to convert me to their religion, using all sorts of sneaky techniques. I was shocked and saddened and humiliated to learn that our friendship was a sham, only to convert me. She was Evangelical, I was Catholic and, apparently, not "Christian." Here, I thought I had a friendship based upon mutual respect and it was a lie.

[Guest]

This happened to my daughter when she was a young teen. She's always had a hard time making friends and was thrilled when this girl started hanging out with her and inviting her places. Later, she found out she was being recruited for the girl's church. Whoever brought in the most new members got a prize. My dd was devastated. It was a very bad experience.

Much like Awanas "bring a friend" night. I finally started saying no to all our Protestant HS "friends". Seriously, if we're the only non-Protestant you know, expand your circle!

[DawnM]

Also, I'm outraged that I can't get Thin Mints year round.  This conveys my thoughts on everything wrong with their annual door to door sales: 

 

 

Keebler Mint and Fudge cookies are good alternative during non-GS times of the year.

[Murphy101]

This is funny to me because just this weekend my van was covered in chick tracts. I took a picture as proof. Lol

 

We were driving along looking for the best parking spot to go to a fair and this guy comes out of his house which is really close and flags us down saying something like, "hey are you going to the fair, because if so you can park in my driveway." Really? How much? "Oh free, we were hoping to bless a young family today."

 

Awesome sauce! I get called young and get free parking less than a block away.

 

So we park with profuse thanks and go our merry way.

 

We came back at lunch to go eat real food before returning for more rides. And every door handle, windshield wiper, and because I never lock the van, the inside of the van seats, were covered in dozens and dozens of chick tracts. Seriously they filled an entire plastic grocery store bag.

 

I posted to FB that the guy must have thought my van was a metaphor for hell's handbasket and he was trying to weigh it down.

 

Which didn't bother me bc nothing is ever really free I suppose, but what did bother me is that no one in my van was surprised someone claiming to want to bless another would use such tactics. Alas, there's a lot of what I refer to as "Christian done wrong".

 

It rates right up there with walking up to someone with a disability to presuming this person has a miserable life they need to pray over because they must be struggling with their relationship with Jesus.

 

Or approaching people who are by themselves and presuming it's because they have lonely despondent lives devoid of Christ.

 

Or praying over homeless/poor people and their obviously deprived of Jesus children.

 

This is not how my faith approaches evangelization. Mostly bc it doesn't work to do much more than insult people.

 

The works of mercy, people. They.... well... they work. Go figure.

[Murphy101]

Keebler Mint and Fudge cookies are good alternative during non-GS times of the year.

All his skits are hilarious!

[DawnM]

All his skits are hilarious!

 

I will watch in a bit.  I am in class while the students are doing a project and can't turn on sound.

[Zinnia]

John Crist is hilarious

[Guest]

This is funny to me because just this weekend my van was covered in chick tracts. I took a picture as proof. Lol

 

We were driving along looking for the best parking spot to go to a fair and this guy comes out of his house which is really close and flags us down saying something like, "hey are you going to the fair, because if so you can park in my driveway." Really? How much? "Oh free, we were hoping to bless a young family today."

 

Awesome sauce! I get called young and get free parking less than a block away.

 

So we park with profuse thanks and go our merry way.

 

We came back at lunch to go eat real food before returning for more rides. And every door handle, windshield wiper, and because I never lock the van, the inside of the van seats, were covered in dozens and dozens of chick tracts. Seriously they filled an entire plastic grocery store bag.

 

I posted to FB that the guy must have thought my van was a metaphor for hell's handbasket and he was trying to weigh it down.

 

Which didn't bother me bc nothing is ever really free I suppose, but what did bother me is that no one in my van was surprised someone claiming to want to bless another would use such tactics. Alas, there's a lot of what I refer to as "Christian done wrong".

 

It rates right up there with walking up to someone with a disability to presuming this person has a miserable life they need to pray over because they must be struggling with their relationship with Jesus.

 

Or approaching people who are by themselves and presuming it's because they have lonely despondent lives devoid of Christ.

 

Or praying over homeless/poor people and their obviously deprived of Jesus children.

 

This is not how my faith approaches evangelization. Mostly bc it doesn't work to do much more than insult people.

 

The works of mercy, people. They.... well... they work. Go figure.

Wow, that is a special kind of crazy. I wish people like that had a clue what they really liked like to the children that see this.

[Lang Syne Boardie]

This is funny to me because just this weekend my van was covered in chick tracts. I took a picture as proof. Lol

 

We were driving along looking for the best parking spot to go to a fair and this guy comes out of his house which is really close and flags us down saying something like, "hey are you going to the fair, because if so you can park in my driveway." Really? How much? "Oh free, we were hoping to bless a young family today."

 

Awesome sauce! I get called young and get free parking less than a block away.

 

So we park with profuse thanks and go our merry way.

 

We came back at lunch to go eat real food before returning for more rides. And every door handle, windshield wiper, and because I never lock the van, the inside of the van seats, were covered in dozens and dozens of chick tracts. Seriously they filled an entire plastic grocery store bag.

 

I posted to FB that the guy must have thought my van was a metaphor for hell's handbasket and he was trying to weigh it down.

 

Which didn't bother me bc nothing is ever really free I suppose, but what did bother me is that no one in my van was surprised someone claiming to want to bless another would use such tactics. Alas, there's a lot of what I refer to as "Christian done wrong".

 

It rates right up there with walking up to someone with a disability to presuming this person has a miserable life they need to pray over because they must be struggling with their relationship with Jesus.

 

Or approaching people who are by themselves and presuming it's because they have lonely despondent lives devoid of Christ.

 

Or praying over homeless/poor people and their obviously deprived of Jesus children.

 

This is not how my faith approaches evangelization. Mostly bc it doesn't work to do much more than insult people.

 

The works of mercy, people. They.... well... they work. Go figure.

 

I'm sorry, I'd be calling the local news from this guy's driveway. And posting pics of the van all over social media. Run a little shame in the other direction.

 

Beyond. The. Pale.

[Murphy101]

I'm sorry, I'd be calling the local news from this guy's driveway. And posting pics of the van all over social media. Run a little shame in the other direction.

 

Beyond. The. Pale.

Well I own a 16 yr old 12 passenger van that paint and rust flies off when I go over 30mph and two of the doors don't open and have a bunch of kids so obviously I need Jesus, so of course, he was just a sweet old man doing his Christian duty. Or not.

 

I'm not interested in shaming him for this. Him doing Christian wrong is not a reason for me to follow his poor example.

 

Plus, I'd never go willingly be in the media. He could have burnt my van to the ground and I'd probably still decide it wasn't worth the publicity. I don't even like my husband taking pictures of me, but I tolerate it bc I love him and he never shares them. LOL

[Greta]

When I hear "friendship evangelism" I think of those people who befriended me, earned my trust, then went on to try to convert me to their religion, using all sorts of sneaky techniques.  I was shocked and saddened and humiliated to learn that our friendship was a sham, only to convert me.  She was Evangelical, I was Catholic and, apparently, not "Christian."  Here, I thought I had a friendship based upon mutual respect and it was a lie. 

 

 

 

I just can't even understand the thought process that goes into something like this.  Do people really think Jesus would want them to lie and manipulate this way?  I don't remember "by any means necessary" being part of his instructions to make disciples!!!!  Not to mention the fact that trying to convert people who are already Christian is fraught with problems and offensive implications.  

 

I am so sorry you were subjected to this.

[Cinder]

Much like Awanas "bring a friend" night.

 

My dc were in Awana and I hated this part too. We did have a couple friends of the same religious persuasion who were actually interested in visiting, but otherwise we just didn't do the "bring a friend". Thankfully the club we were with didn't require this section to be done in order for the book to be considered completed.

[Murphy101]

I am married to a person not of my faith. I converted and he didn't. That shouldn't make our relationship a sham.

 

Love thy neighbor should not be construed as BS thy neighbor into a false relationship. And then blame Jesus when it doesn't work out.

 

Like I said. Christian done wrong is a common problem.

[mommaduck]

JW's have been a mixed bag, from accepting our off the bat "not interested" to rude to downright angry and condemning me.

 

LDS, I let them park their bikes under our carport. They are always polite. They have never tried to convert us beyond trying to give us literature and we've had friendly conversations about what we do have in common, places we've lived, and large family quirks.

 

Eldest texted me today to let me know that "Bible Tract Man" came by the house today to try to save my children's souls. He's an annoying IFB guy that haunts the laundromat and the restaurants. He's even tried sneaking tracts to my kids, literally behind my back in a store. He and I have gotten into a verbal dispute at the laundromat. He's ignorant of history and theology and didn't even understand basic words I used. He condemned myself and most of the people in the laundromat to hell (a lot of Catholic Mexicans were there that day, and I have attended Mass with them, so I knew). He insisted that wasn't what he said. Yes, sir, here were your words. FTR, son and I remove any of his literature we find laying around...

 

91yr old SBC neighbour lady has slipped religious literature into snacks and gifts she's given my littles. Thankfully, they bring it to me and the most it's been is the 10 Commandments. Still, IMO, children are OFF LIMITS. 

Edited May 17, 2017 by mommaduck

[Guest]

Also, I'm outraged that I can't get Thin Mints year round. This conveys my thoughts on everything wrong with their annual door to door sales:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlRaCNqSQ4E

I am laughing so hard right now, it's almost embarrassing.

[Carrie12345]

 

Still, IMO, children are OFF LIMITS. 

 

Funny enough (not), most of my first-hand experience with door to door religion comes from when I was a child.  Now that I stop to think about it, I suspect that was intentional.  I lived in a neighborhood of latchkey kids, and my family went away practically every weekend that had decent weather, so they must have been coming during typical after school/before parents hours.

[Rosie_0801]

Eldest texted me today to let me know that "Bible Tract Man" came by the house today to try to save my children's souls. He's an annoying IFB guy that haunts the laundromat and the restaurants. He's even tried sneaking tracts to my kids, literally behind my back in a store. He and I have gotten into a verbal dispute at the laundromat. He's ignorant of history and theology and didn't even understand basic words I used. He condemned myself and most of the people in the laundromat to hell (a lot of Catholic Mexicans were there that day, and I have attended Mass with them, so I knew). He insisted that wasn't what he said. Yes, sir, here were your words. FTR, son and I remove any of his literature we find laying around...

 

I'm glad we don't have these chick tracts here. I'd collect them to shred and use in the chooks nesting boxes.

[ILiveInFlipFlops]

Also, I'm outraged that I can't get Thin Mints year round.  

 

https://www.hersheys.com/en_us/products/product/bars/hersheys-cookie-layer-crunch-mint-with-chocolate-cookie-bits-stand-up-pouch.html

 

You are welcome. (Or my apologies, depending on which is appropriate.) 

Edited May 17, 2017 by ILiveInFlipFlops

[Arcadia]

I'm glad we don't have these chick tracts here. I'd collect them to shred and use in the chooks nesting boxes.

Do you have Our Daily Bread (catholic) there? Even my nuns teachers use the very old ones as my convent school classroom pets liners.

[Cinder]

https://www.hersheys.com/en_us/products/product/bars/hersheys-cookie-layer-crunch-mint-with-chocolate-cookie-bits-stand-up-pouch.html

 

You are welcome. (Or my apologies, depending on which is appropriate.) 

 

So these are better than the Keebler version? I'm not a thin mint person myself but my dc love them. My sons think the Keebler version is actually better than the GS version--though perhaps some of that is knowing they cost half of what the GS charge :tongue_smilie:--but dd disagrees. I might get some of these and see what they say.

[FaithManor]

I'm glad we don't have these chick tracts here. I'd collect them to shred and use in the chooks nesting boxes.

Best use of them evah!!

[ILiveInFlipFlops]

So these are better than the Keebler version? I'm not a thin mint person myself but my dc love them. My sons think the Keebler version is actually better than the GS version--though perhaps some of that is knowing they cost half of what the GS charge :tongue_smilie:--but dd disagrees. I might get some of these and see what they say.

 

Hm, I've never had the Keebler version. I just know that the Hershey's things are to. die. for. You can buy single ones too--I've seen them at CVS and the like. So maybe don't buy a whole bag right away?

[katilac]

For anyone who would like to both fascinated and appalled, you can read Chick tracts online! 

 

http://www.chick.com/

 

 

So these are better than the Keebler version? I'm not a thin mint person myself but my dc love them. My sons think the Keebler version is actually better than the GS version--though perhaps some of that is knowing they cost half of what the GS charge :tongue_smilie:--but dd disagrees. I might get some of these and see what they say.

 

We love the Keebler version! They are much cheaper, but we also have a preference for them. The Thin Mint ice cream is pretty amazing, though. 

[Guest]

Our church does an extra offering each week. Everything collected for it goes to a family or individual whose needs have been brought to the attention of the church.

 

Sometimes it's to help a family that lost the father and are struggling. Sometimes it goes to help a family who is struggling to pay rent because of a job loss. It usually brings in 1200-1500 dollars each week. A check is written and delivered to the family, with a simple, "We love you and are praying that things get better." Of course they know where it comes from, but the person delivering it doesn't badger them, or question their pasts, or tell them that they have to come to our church.

 

The genuine sincerity in that gesture, and the offer to keep in touch has resulted in many of them attending our church. They see the kindness without strings attached, and it changes their preconceived ideas about Christians. I would much rather SHOW someone my faith instead of badger them with it.

[Tangerine]

A check is written and delivered to the family, with a simple, "We love you and are praying that things get better."

As a former poor kid, and recipient of church charity, I want to recognize the simple, respectful, person-affirming practice of simply giving poor people money. There's no assumption that you know better how to meet their needs than they do themselves. Poor people need money (when their needs exceed their income), and your church very simply meets that need.

[zoobie]

Also, I'm outraged that I can't get Thin Mints year round.  

 

 

Aldi has a mint chocolate cookie that tastes almost exactly the same.