NationStates Jolt Archive

Yes. I have figured out what works.

Well, at least what works for me.

Honestly? I was surprised myself.

I was walking home today and I passed two of them. One stopped and addressed me, explaining who they were.

I knew I didn't care to hear it so I politely interupted him and told him flat out that I am an athiest and I don't care for religion.

He accepted it and we partly politely.

Moral? It's better to be polite and upfront and not take outlandish steps to discourage these folks. They know that there are certain types of people who they can't convert and likely will respect that you aren't into it.

I usually mock them and insult them until they walk away.

Darn. I thought you were going to tell me how to stop preaching myself since I'm sure the poeple around me find it irritating.

Darn. I thought you were going to tell me how to stop preaching myself since I'm sure the poeple around me find it irritating.

You could gouge out your eyes.

I ask them quietly to get out of the way, or they may prematurely find out the truth about Hell.

Is it really that shocking that being upfront and honest with people works towards your benefit?

I at least give them the time of day to explain thier religion, then I look them in the eye and say, "Prove it." Before tipping my hat and walking away.

Is it really that shocking that being upfront and honest with people works towards your benefit?

No.

Unfortunately, I have plenty of experience with preachers who won't take "No, thank you," for an answer.

If I see them coming, I just walk past quickly, without giving them a chance to start their spiel.

If they latch onto me and start talking, I interrupt them and say, "I'm not interested, thank you. Good-bye," and turn away.

Sometimes they let me go. Other times, they don't. I've been grabbed by the elbow. I've been followed down the street for half a block. I've been yelled at with supernatural threats about hell.

Once, a particularly irritating Mormon missionary at a train station wouldn't take the "No, thank you," so I told him flat out that I did not want to get into a conversation of any kind with him and went back to reading my newspaper, and he just stood there, not three feet away from me and stared right at my face for five full minutes, until the train pulled in and I boarded and left him there.

Sweet, huh?

I always have fun with them. I try to to find a way to really insult them and just walk away smiling. Btw, they hate it when you tell them jesus was a child molester;)

I always have fun with them. I try to to find a way to really insult them and just walk away smiling. Btw, they hate it when you tell them jesus was a child molester;)
Or that he had two daddies.

Or that he had two daddies.

AND a mom. :confused: :eek:

AND a mom. :confused: :eek:
What a fucked up little kid. No wonder he grew up to be a criminal.

You could gouge out your eyes.

I fail to see how that would help in any way.

Best advice: Know their theology. Argue a point you know they'll disagree with. Prove them wrong. Walk away.

I've done it with Christians, Hari Krishnas, and a couple others I can't remember now.