Thursday, November 02, 2006

That knock at the door

There are few times when I know I'm face to face with someone who thinks I'm going straight to hell in a handbasket. I live in Portland, Oregon, and work in a pretty progressive environment. I've referred to it as a bubble. I love my bubble. And I think most people don't care about other people's sexual orientation. Gay? So what.

But when Jehovah's Witnesses come to my door, I know I am face to face with someone who belongs to a religion that believes I'm going to hell and in whose church there is no place for me. I can get mad about this. The young Mormon boys I enjoy smiling at them, their smiling back at me, until their faces twist into very uncomfortable contortions when I tell them they're at a gay household and probably should just move on. They don't really know what to do, lower their heads, and head on back to the sidewalk.

This weekend's Jehovah's Witness schlepped along her daughter with her to spread the word. She didn't back away when I told her she was at a gay household and should move on. She continued smiling and talking. This actually made me more mad. Does she think she's going to convert me or something? When I told her I don't appreciate prostelitizing from my doorstep and they should move on, all the while smiling, I saw her daughter's eyes look down and away. And I shut the door while her mom continued talking.

They have a right to their religion, but I sure don't want to speak with someone who smiles at me on the outside but on the inside believes I'm an abomination. I'd rather face the venom and ugliness instead of the smile and small talk. I really should know better than to even answer the door.

10 comments:

Monogram Queen said...

this is not very christian-like but what I would like is to see them chased down the street by a snarling pack of rottweilers. Not the kids, just the grown ups. Religious zealots and intolerance in general gives me a great big pain in my great big ass.

Zoe said...

I wish I could slam the door in their faces, but I just can't do it, and it pisses me off that I can't do it because they are invaded my house and wasting my time. I do keep them talking until they get frustrated and move on. They seem to like to try the would you agree with me that...approach. I never agree, they get flustered and move on.

They also seem to have a nack for knocking on our door early on weekend mornings, and continue knocking until the door gets answered, so I answer the door in boxers and a tank top, that usually flusters them from the start.

purpletwinkie said...

I used to have the JW's-a-knockin' all the time in CA. Here in Las Vegas I see them, but I live in a gated community and have never had them at my door.

If only the JW's and Mormons would deliver the mail. We wouldn't be paying 40 cents for a stamp.

Lynne said...

You made me think. I haven't had a visit in years. Maybe because I have only been in my house 1 1/2 years. Of course, not that I read your post and posted this message by doorbell will get pushed soon.

Anonymous said...

I have a very nice sign that says "No soliciting and that I have all of the religion that I can handle" but it does not deter.

Maybe you should have asked if you and AdRi could join up???

rodger said...

I live with an ex-Mormon so we've had some fun times at the door. I love it when leave the property and brush the soles of their shoes once they're off the property. God forbid they should carry our disgusting essence to the next doorway.

And don't even get me started on the whole drag-the-child-along bit!

Anonymous said...

I managed to time arriving at my sister's last weekend perfectly with a whole group of them filing past. They even had a baby in a stroller. I got out without making eye contact and quickly went inside.

I'm all for freedom of religion. If that's your calling, good for you. I spent many years struggling with faith and God and the world, and after research, self-study and deep thinking, I am now at peace with what I believe.

If I have questions about your religion, I'll find you - in the meantime, do not wake me up before noon on the weekend, that just annoys me more. Good for you closing the door!

MissKris said...

Do what my Dear Hubby and I have learned to do...just never answer the door. Even if I'm sitting on the couch with the drapes open in full view of who's standing on the porch...if I don't know 'em, I don't answer the door. I didn't invite them. They wouldn't want me showing up uninvited at their doorstep either, is the way I'm thinkin' about it. I AM a Christian but Jesus loved everyone and I try to, too. LIVING it says more than PREACHING it.

WenWhit said...

My strategy: I don't open the door at all, even though the dogs go batshit.

Anonymous said...

LeLo, I do appreciate misskris' approach, but I also think you did the right thing to answer the door. Consider, in particular, the little girls' reaction to your comments. Maybe you will have a lasting impact on that little girl and her life will be different because of it.