Lol I'm not interested in their religious twaddle!

I always tell them that I'm a vicars daughter and they back up the path fairly quickly.

I don't think Tom Cruise worked out so well for Scientology! ?

I haven't had any JWs/Mormons round here. We did have a sweet old lady from the Catholic church who gave me a "miraculous medal" and invited us to a tea party, but that's all. Don't know if there aren't any, or if it's because I live in a block of flats with an intercom so it's harder to get to the actual front door.

I would just tell people I'm not interested rather than trying to rile them by saying I worship Satan or anything.

I'm never at home when they knock.

But they are not as annoying as charity people who come round asking me to pay a direct debit for their charity. I'll choose who my money goes to thanks (Cats Protection, Cancer Research and NACC if anyone is interested)

?

They do do this. I am very grateful to them for transcribing a significant amount of parish records - it makes tracing my family tree easier! I believe they are doing this because they believe globally we are all related & they do baptise, or maybe admit them to their church, after their death.

As long as they are doing me no personal harm, I don't care what they believe.

However, I've seen a different side to them. My great aunt became a Mormon (she certainly wasn't born one). Not only did her health suffer because of it (they refuse medical intervention) her daughter also suffered - she married another member of the church & he was very controlling & became violent towards her & her children. It was all her fault, not his & the church supported him & turned their back on him.

We don't really get the charities around here apart from the coast guards but that's mainly because I live in a coastal town in the middle of the country side with a historic marina that is dangerous. The other is the Air ambulance which once again due to where we live is a godsend.

One day when I'm genuinely not busy (that's always my excuse for door knockers) I would quite like to invite them in for a cuppa and a chat. Just out of interest.

We have a friend who is an ex JW and I reckon everything he has to say is probably a million times more interesting that the spiel he would use door-knocking. He is a much happier man now he has the freedom to do what he wants. He still believes in God, but that's his faith, rather than religion iykwim.

My dad's family are / were Jehovah's Witnesses. He now doesn't hold any religious beliefs. He told me a story about when he was younger; his parents told him with all seriousness and certainty that it was judgement day- the world was going to end, and that he should 'prepare' himself. Imagine being young, and your own PARENTS telling you this. He spent the night locked in his room fearing for his life, terrified beyong belief, thinking that he and all his family, friends, etc. were going to die. The next morning when- obviously- nothing happened, he walked out of the house and went to live with his Gran leaving behind his family and their faith.

This was compounded by the fact that, a few years later, his mum died as she was refused life-saving blood transfusion because of their religious 'beliefs'. I don't know the ins and outs because to this day, he still won't talk about it in detail.

We still used to have visits from his 'friends' who were still JW, obviously trying to tempt him back into the fold. In fairness, they were perfectly pleasant people. But one of the most compelling memories from my childhood is my dad, in floods of tears, screaming in the face of this JW bloke about his mum's death.

The reason they don't allow blood transfusions? A (literal) misinterpretation of the Bible regarding animal sacrifice.

Sorry if this offends anyone, but it's my opinion and I'm absolutely entitled to it; religion is sh*t.

I am extremely offended and upset by some of the language in this thread.

You have every right to be an atheist. You do not have any right to deride or patronise people with faith. Nor insult them by "LOl"ing and calling it "twaddle", "ramming it down throats" etc.

Really. Get a grip on how you might be coming across to people with belief who may be reading this.

Yeah, I really believe in unicorns and it totally offends me when people laugh.

And I could be extremely upset and offended (OK, maybe not offended) by some of the actions of some people with faith. Or indeed, upset by the global actions of entire churches. Who wins? Who has to shut up?

I think it's been made clear that there is a difference between criticising an aspect of religious faith and insulting the person who holds that specific belief. If people hold beliefs (of any kind, religious or not) that others think are nonsense (or worse, harmful), why should the belief be protected from criticism?

And come on, we ARE talking about sects of Christianity who do actively proselytise within the community - how is that not 'ramming it down throats'?

Ok fine, I'll shut up

I would rather you didn't as I agree with you.

I disagree that it's ramming it down people's throats. They make themselves know before talking about anything religious and walk away as soon as someone says they're not interested (JW do anyway).

I would say people in town centres shouting at the top of their voices was more ramming it down people's throats than anything.

Ah, you know that's not the way any of us (yourself included) roll around here...

Genuine questions - Do you think people have a right not to be offended? Do you think offence regarding religious belief (or lack of) is easier to invoke than that regarding, say, vegetarianism? Do you therefore think discussion of religion (or lack of) should be conducted with extra sensitivity, more than would be afforded to a discussion of vegetarianism?

Each to their own. Some people believe one thing and others believe another. Its what makes us human.

Yes I would say discussion about religion is more likely to offend than a discussion about vegetarianism. Though having said that I suppose it depends how passionate the vegetarian is!

My issue is this. Time and time again threads pop up bashing religion, be that JW, Mormons, or just in general by people who aren't religious and view religion as 'twaddle'. When has a religion person ever started a thread bashing atheists and calling their beliefs (or lack of) twaddle? It just doesn't happen. Why is that? (Genuine question).

I disagree with that actually OB, when I'm in my own home I don't appreciate people ringing my doorbell and disturbing me. Regardless of whether they leave when I say I'm not interested.

I'm not kidding as I was writing this my doorbell rang and it was some JWs!

Last word.

Maybe it is because I am not in a good place but the deliberately offensive language used to express views on this thread has reduced me to tears today.

Oh love xxx

I think it may be cos many atheists believe that religion has the burden of proof, ie. if God exists, prove it. If you can't then I won't believe you.

I'm not sure you understood me.

Scathing threads about religion by non religious people pop up quite regularly (not just here).

I have never once seen a religious person start a thread to discuss how ridiculous they find atheism.

Despite my original post about my disagreement with the JW faith and religion in general, I am never rude to people who call. I just tell them thank you, but I'm not interested and to have a nice day. They are always very polite and just move on. I could bawl them out about the hypocrisies of their faith, but it would fall on deaf ears anyway.

Just because I don't agree with their beliefs, they are still human beings and I was raised better than to be rude to strangers.

Go on then! I'd personally like to read that discussion between people of faith! It would be fascinating (and, like your genuine question, that's a genuine statement!) ?

But that's the whole point, I would have no desire to.

Why the harshness one way but not the other?

I'm all for open debate about religion but I also don't like the language used and general derision expressed by some on this thread.

Disregarding the inconvenience of someone coming to your door, to laugh at someone's life choices or beliefs isn't a very kind way to live your life.

No, I don't agree with the minority of Mormons and JWs that put their foot in your door etc but I can't fathom why anyone would be offended by someone saying they will pray for their souls. If you don't believe in praying, why would it matter a jot? Would you get offended if someone said they were going to ask the Easter Bunny to pop round and say hello? No.

As an aside, most of the Mormons and JWs that I have met have been extremely polite and well mannered.

Exactly this! This is ramming it down my throat. For me it is so annoying people knocking on my door disturbing me.

Genuinely, I don't see how that thread would take off.

Opening premise: Atheism is ridiculous* because it's clear that god exists.

Response: Prove it.

*End of thread*

Genuine question: Do you find atheism ridiculous*? Why?

*where 'ridiculous' is being used as a catch-all term for nonsensical/untenable/unimaginable/illogical.

I can't comment on others, but mine is based on the personal experiences of myself and my family, as are all of my judgements about things. I think that's how most people make up their mind about stuff.

Although I have no religious beliefs myself I don't certainly don't berate or demonatrate hostility toward others for doing so!

I do take issue with some of the Catholic church's views on things (for example the obvious stuff like abortion, contraception and homosexuality) because from my point of view as a non-religious person they seem groundless, but I am all for their right to believe in this stuff, just as I'd like to think they'd respect my right not to.

But, sometimes they don't. They tell us that if we don't 'believe' or 'repent' we will be 'damned for all eternity', etc. I find that a bit harsh. You can't really blame us for going on the defensive a teeny bit!

I mean, from your perspective as a person of faith, what happens to us non-believers / 'sinners' when we die?

That's not really the point though is it. The point is why does non religious think its acceptable to mock religious yet religious doesn't say anything about non religious. (I'm talking about in a social context).

I'm not actively religious, and I don't feel strongly enough to call anything ridiculous. Each to their own is my opinion.

Religious looks funny now. I've typed it too many times!

This really bothers me as well. A girl l work with is very religious and a few weeks ago said it was a shame person X (a member of the team) is gay he will burn ? This really upset a lot of people. X is a lovely guy without a bad bone in his body. Why say such a horrible and cruel thing? Plus besides it isn't true...