I usually just take it and put it in my bag, or house, depending on where I am.Today however, for the first time out of many, I put my foot down and said "no thank-you."
I'm talking about religious solicitation. I can not even count on one hand how many times I have been approached walking, or worst of all, waiting at the bus stop. The worst thing about being approached at the bus stop is, you have no excuse to leave or walk away, and are awkwardly forced into accepting a persuasive pamphlet or book.
I have always been a strong believer of, if I want the information regarding religion, I will seek it. Ever since I got wrapped into a 25 minute conversation with an elderly Jehovah Witness woman on my doorstep when I was too young to young to understand it (and too nervous to politely excuse myself), I have been bothered by door-to-door preaching.
So please, religious solicitors, please do not be offended if I do not want to accept your books or pamphlets. I have a religion and am currently happy with it. If I want further information, I will seek it. Amen.
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4 comments:
I feel your pain. It's extremely common where I'm from, religious solicitation that is. I learned from a very young age to deal with it. It's bad but sometimes I even joke with them.
RS: "Have you found Jesus?"
Ryan: "Didn't know he was missing."
Don't know if that's too far, but it seems to do the trick.
You're so polite even in your rejection. :)
I kinda enjoy interacting with these people. But I go on the assumption that if they are actively trying to challenge my beliefs, then they won't mind if I vigorously challenge theirs. I doubt I've changed any minds (and mine certainly hasn't been changed), but if we can learn just a little bit about each others beliefs, it's worth a few minutes of chatting.
Ryan: I'll have to give that line a try next time!
Phronk: I never considered your point of view. You are right in suggesting that maybe I should try talking them to gain some insight into their beliefs. The more knowledge we gain about each other, the better off we will be.
Phronk, you would have loved a scene my wife & I saw when we lived in TO in the mid 90's. Accross the street from us lived a family who were devout Baptists. Anyway, one Saturday morning, the Jehovah's Witness folks came around to spread the word. So, here is the Baptist and the JW each waving their Bibles, arguing loudly over interpretations of the same book. Religious folks are like people who come to your door for charities; their cause may be noble but if you didn't ask them to come, you have the right to say "no" and feel no guilt (that's a Catholic or Jewish thing, right?.
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