Can't tell if it's a scam, Jehovah Witness tactic, or some weird donation tactic.

[45ED]

Ever so often we'll have a knock on the door. We never open it, but we'll look out carefully to see who's knocking.

It's always the same format - two adults with a child in tow. One of the first times it was two women with either a young boy or girl, all in semi-casual (business casual?) clothing. More recently, two guys and one young boy. Again, all in semi-casual clothing. When I watched them a bit while they walked away, I noted the little boy was carrying a flower (well, kind of swinging it around).

So is this a new Jehovah Witness method of "spreading the Word"? Or some scam? Or some way of soliciting money for some cause i.e. uses children to soften up potential people and then deliver the request?

Again, I never open the door when these folks come. But my curiosity is getting the better of me. And I can't find any other mention on the internet about people going through this. I'm interested if anyone has had these folks at their door and/or if they know what their business is.

...oh, for what it's worth, last couple of times, they (the kids, mostly) came with blue tote (?) bags. But not this time. One of the guys was carrying a brief case/business case.

[Hitman21]

Maybe you could open the door and find out?

[Royalsoldier]

These people are incredibly intrusive. A group comes by my house once a week and has the nerve to peek through every window (sides/back of the house). I already told them I am not interested, but they keep showing up. It's low how they use children as tools to aid their religious conversion tactics.

I opened the door once by accident thinking it was someone else and they will stick their hand over the door frame, put one foot in and ask "may we come to speak to you about the Lord Jesus Christ of ladder day saints" (some nonsense like that).

Personally, I have no time for these people and their "Awake" magazines that I treat like junk mail everytime.

[Kunman]

Have fun, troll them

Might turn out badly if you trolld religious extremists though

[cliffclaven]

A group such as this came to my door two weeks ago and I invited them in. I have them in my crawl space right now, but with the summer heat they are starting to smell.

[ssbtech]

These people are incredibly intrusive. A group comes by my house once a week and has the nerve to peek through every window (sides/back of the house). I already told them I am not interested, but they keep showing up. It's low how they use children as tools to aid their religious conversion tactics.

I opened the door once by accident thinking it was someone else and they will stick their hand over the door frame, put one foot in and ask "may we come to speak to you about the Lord Jesus Christ of ladder day saints" (some nonsense like that).

Personally, I have no time for these people and their "Awake" magazines that I treat like junk mail everytime.

Set up a webcam, take a photo, etc... print it out and stick it on a window with a note saying "if you're here, I'm phoning the police"

[45ED]

A group such as this came to my door two weeks ago and I invited them in. I have them in my crawl space right now, but with the summer heat they are starting to smell.

Lol.

[Ottomaddox]

Ever so often we'll have a knock on the door. We never open it, but we'll look out carefully to see who's knocking.

It's always the same format - two adults with a child in tow. One of the first times it was two women with either a young boy or girl, all in semi-casual (business casual?) clothing. More recently, two guys and one young boy. Again, all in semi-casual clothing. When I watched them a bit while they walked away, I noted the little boy was carrying a flower (well, kind of swinging it around).

So is this a new Jehovah Witness method of "spreading the Word"? Or some scam? Or some way of soliciting money for some cause i.e. uses children to soften up potential people and then deliver the request?

Again, I never open the door when these folks come. But my curiosity is getting the better of me. And I can't find any other mention on the internet about people going through this. I'm interested if anyone has had these folks at their door and/or if they know what their business is.

...oh, for what it's worth, last couple of times, they (the kids, mostly) came with blue tote (?) bags. But not this time. One of the guys was carrying a brief case/business case.

Yup, it's probably the JWs. People tend to yell obscenities at them less when they use their children as shields.

[Ottomaddox]

These people are incredibly intrusive. A group comes by my house once a week and has the nerve to peek through every window (sides/back of the house). I already told them I am not interested, but they keep showing up. It's low how they use children as tools to aid their religious conversion tactics.

I opened the door once by accident thinking it was someone else and they will stick their hand over the door frame, put one foot in and ask "may we come to speak to you about the Lord Jesus Christ of ladder day saints" (some nonsense like that).

Personally, I have no time for these people and their "Awake" magazines that I treat like junk mail everytime.

Unfortunately, the only thing that works consistently is being loud and belligerent to them.
If you find them snooping around your house, get a description, and call the police.

[hagbard]

These people are incredibly intrusive. A group comes by my house once a week and has the nerve to peek through every window (sides/back of the house). I already told them I am not interested, but they keep showing up. It's low how they use children as tools to aid their religious conversion tactics.

I opened the door once by accident thinking it was someone else and they will stick their hand over the door frame, put one foot in and ask "may we come to speak to you about the Lord Jesus Christ of ladder day saints" (some nonsense like that).

Personally, I have no time for these people and their "Awake" magazines that I treat like junk mail everytime.

You've got your religious fanatics mixed up. That's Mitt's people.

[ronin1701]

You've got your religious fanatics mixed up. That's Mitt's people.

Mormon (Mitt's people) missionaries walk around in white collared shirts and ties and wear nametags identifying themselves as "Elder so-and-so".

Jehovah's Witnesses are the guys who give out copies of "Awake!" (what he's describing above).

[ishfish]

We used to let them in, but stopped as they are all incapable of an intellectual exchange.
Mormons and Jws know surprising little about the development of their religion or the history of Christianity in general.

[hagbard]

Mormon (Mitt's people) missionaries walk around in white collared shirts and ties and wear nametags identifying themselves as "Elder so-and-so".

Jehovah's Witnesses are the guys who give out copies of "Awake!" (what he's describing above).

"I opened the door once by accident thinking it was someone else and they will stick their hand over the door frame, put one foot in and ask "may we come to speak to you about the Lord Jesus Christ of ladder day saints" (some nonsense like that)."

[RolandCouch]

I usually troll people like this for fun and they leave.

[ishfish]

It's latter day saints - not ladder. They are saints of latter days - to distinguish them from earlier saints.

[ronin1701]

These people are incredibly intrusive. A group comes by my house once a week and has the nerve to peek through every window (sides/back of the house). I already told them I am not interested, but they keep showing up. It's low how they use children as tools to aid their religious conversion tactics.

I opened the door once by accident thinking it was someone else and they will stick their hand over the door frame, put one foot in and ask "may we come to speak to you about the Lord Jesus Christ of ladder day saints" (some nonsense like that).

Personally, I have no time for these people and their "Awake" magazines that I treat like junk mail everytime.

:arrowd:


You've got your religious fanatics mixed up. That's Mitt's people.

:arrowd:


Mormon (Mitt's people) missionaries walk around in white collared shirts and ties and wear nametags identifying themselves as "Elder so-and-so".

Jehovah's Witnesses are the guys who give out copies of "Awake!" (what he's describing above).


"I opened the door once by accident thinking it was someone else and they will stick their hand over the door frame, put one foot in and ask "may we come to speak to you about the Lord Jesus Christ of ladder day saints" (some nonsense like that)."

Look, I can cherry-pick quotes just as well as you can! :razz:

[45ED]

Yup, it's probably the JWs. People tend to yell obscenities at them less when they use their children as shields.

It's some kind of sleazy if that's their intent. Sleazy, and manipulative. I mean, it's one thing for adults to go around. But bringing children in on the act (and that boy was young) is a horrible low.

[Agafaba]

It's latter day saints - not ladder. They are saints of latter days - to distinguish them from earlier saints.

Someone should set up a religion for Jesus Christ of the ladder day saints, it would be a wholesome religion dedicated to the morals of those who use or manufacture ladders in hope that we may all one day climb the great ladder into heaven.

[Royalsoldier]

Someone should set up a religion for Jesus Christ of the ladder day saints, it would be a wholesome religion dedicated to the morals of those who use or manufacture ladders in hope that we may all one day climb the great ladder into heaven.

This made me laugh hysterically (almost in tears), haha! :D

I had a mental picture of a family showing up to random houses with a ladder trying to convert people to their religion.

[gouki556]

Opening the door would be the simplest way to answer some of your questions.

[ishfish]

Someone should set up a religion for Jesus Christ of the ladder day saints, it would be a wholesome religion dedicated to the morals of those who use or manufacture ladders in hope that we may all one day climb the great ladder into heaven.

I recently ran into a Christian group that actually does this sort of thing - they put colors on objects which represent their version of the crucifixion story. Beads on necklaces..., stripes on tools, toys... If I see one of them again I'll mention the ladder thing. It is very metaphorical - or is it a literal interpretation?

[wilsonlam97]

These people are incredibly intrusive. A group comes by my house once a week and has the nerve to peek through every window (sides/back of the house). I already told them I am not interested, but they keep showing up. It's low how they use children as tools to aid their religious conversion tactics.

I opened the door once by accident thinking it was someone else and they will stick their hand over the door frame, put one foot in and ask "may we come to speak to you about the Lord Jesus Christ of ladder day saints" (some nonsense like that).

Personally, I have no time for these people and their "Awake" magazines that I treat like junk mail everytime.

If you live in a "troubled" area these people would never knock you door in fear of getting shot or beat.

[random pattern]

I'm too lazy to answer the door these days (the phone too for that matter), but in the past when I've answered the door to them they've been pretty polite.

[easylistener]

On a semi-related note, I did have this kid knock on my door once. He looked about 11 or 12, and was intent on convincing me to participate in the trial run of this newspaper that's being syndicated around the city. He was real sweet about it too, told me all about his dream of becoming an electrical engineer and attending the same school that I go to. Nevermind the relevance of that conversation, I took him up on his offer, only to be presented with a $40 fee for this supposedly "trial run". I politely declined since I don't have $40 to spare for something that'll just end up in my trash can anyways. I never liked reading newspapers. Had it not been for his schoolboy appearance, and my initial notion of this being a "free" trial run and all, I wouldn't have said yes in a million years.

Oh, and while we're on the subject of JWs, I can tell you that I've been approached by them more than once. One time, it was at a bus stop. A middle aged lady came out of her car and headed in our direction. I thought she was catching the bus, but no, we were greeted with pamphlets. Then, it was the door-to-door salesperson tactic that found its way to my home. Thankfully, the lady that came to our was polite and left as soon as I accepted her pamphlets. They haven't knocked on my door since then.

[kaws]

Two ladies came by my place last year, but I had to leave for work so I just the pamphlet and left it in the recycling bin. They told me they'll try to catch me another time.
A couple days later, they ran my doorbell again.. I didn't answer. They haven't been back since..

[boonjaca]

Back in university,I remember waiting for the bus one day and one guy approached me and made small talk. He then introduced himself and asked if I knew where a phone was.

I told him it was across the street and he asked if he could come use the one at my place. He insisted and I told him to get lost. As soon as we got onto the bus, he started busting out the mandarin and chatted with 2 girls.

[wilsonlam97]

Back in university,I remember waiting for the bus one day and one guy approached me and made small talk. He then introduced himself and asked if I knew where a phone was.

I told him it was across the street and he asked if he could come use the one at my place. He insisted and I told him to get lost. As soon as we got onto the bus, he started busting out the mandarin and chatted with 2 girls.

lol he "busted out the mandarin"

[kamilio]

I think their religion is spreading. Just last week we had these two Chinese guys at our door trying to converts us. Before that it was a Latin "couple" and their kid. I remember back in the day they were all Caucasian. Their method must be working in the GTA.

[cOmAtOaSt]

Just keep a picture of Tom Cruise by the door, and when these people show up, try to convert them to Scientology.

[mbg]

A group such as this came to my door two weeks ago and I invited them in. I have them in my crawl space right now, but with the summer heat they are starting to smell.

Thanks for providing this public service.

[ronin1701]

I think their religion is spreading. Just last week we had these two Chinese guys at our door trying to converts us. Before that it was a Latin "couple" and their kid. I remember back in the day they were all Caucasian. Their method must be working in the GTA.

Probably pre-GTA.

There's a reason why missionaries are so successful in the developing world - the masses are largely poor and uneducated so the missionaries are often providing education and other services which helps them gain influence with the target audience, and they don't have the same well-developed defence mechanisms (i.e. cynicism) that we do.

The lucky few that do manage to immigrate here bring their newfound beliefs with them. There's nothing quite like the zeal of the newly converted.

[boonjaca]

lol he "busted out the mandarin"

Yeah, I'm sure those girls were as shocked as I was when he started talking lol

[spike1128]

To answer your questions. The reasons I heard they try to knock from door to door, it's because these JW/Mormons are required to knock on doors and converting is part of their quota. If they don't meet their quota, they don't get into heaven.

I thought in Christianity, one does not have to do anything to fullfil a quota. God is all loving, so if you believe in him (some small requirements, no quota system, this ain't the police ticketing sorta thing), you are forgiven for your sins thus going to heaven.

[stealth]

Yup its JW's they come to my area frequently a lot as well. And I suspect they bring their kids with them to 1)appeal to families 2)diffuse hostilities.

But lately, they've had a different approach. They've been sending 2 mid twenties women instead, normal to attractive looking. They aren't going door to door.. They seem to single out particular houses like mine....I see them park right outside my house, knock on the door, and when I don't answer it, they go back and driveway, as opposed to going to my neighbors...they do this at least once a month on weekdays. I guess I should have been more abrupt with them the first time they came.

I think they have a church a couple Kms away.

[Ottomaddox]

But lately, they've had a different approach. They've been sending 2 mid twenties women instead, normal to attractive looking, scantily clothed. They aren't going door to door.. They seem to single out particular houses like mine....I see them park right outside my house, knock on the door, and when I don't answer it, they go back in the driveway, and start washing my car, and "accidentally" spraying water on each other. I think this is some new recruiting technique.


Fixed.

[ishfish]

But lately, they've had a different approach. They've been sending 2 mid twenties women instead, normal to attractive looking. They aren't going door to door..


Once they have scouted you out they send out individuals who will most appeal to you - age, gender etc. It used to be same gender...:lol:

[stealth]

Fixed.

In my dreams, lol..that's a religion even I could get on board with!

[Ottomaddox]

In my dreams, lol..that's a religion even I could get on board with!

I believe it's called 'the church of lather day babes'.

[john widow]

One time when I was a kid, I got a knock on the door. It was pouring outside, and there was a mom with 2 kids in baseball-like uniforms. She was going around asking for donations I'm guessing from memory. I didn't have any money to give. The lady kinda was mad that I couldn't give money. I actually just felt bad for the kids that they had to be dragged into it. Hard to explain with words.

Church people used to come to our home when we first moved in....one time they gave us a basket of candy n treats etc....why would they do that?

[Ottomaddox]

Church people used to come to our home when we first moved in....one time they gave us a basket of candy n treats etc....why would they do that?

Getting a gift makes you (consciously or unconsciously) feel like you have to give something back to them, like you're in their debt.

[wilsonlam97]

To answer your questions. The reasons I heard they try to knock from door to door, it's because these JW/Mormons are required to knock on doors and converting is part of their quota. If they don't meet their quota, they don't get into heaven.

I thought in Christianity, one does not have to do anything to fullfil a quota. God is all loving, so if you believe in him (some small requirements, no quota system, this ain't the police ticketing sorta thing), you are forgiven for your sins thus going to heaven.

I wish we could illegalize religion. Too bad there are too many stupid people unwilling to let go.

There's a difference between a group of people and a group of people that have hidden intentions that assimilate other people's opinions.

[CanadianCowbell]

Always going to remember when I was 22yrs old and living with a group of friends. When the JWs came knocking one of my roommates poured fake blood all over himself, stripped down to his boxers and when he opened the door he started screaming like a banshee and took off running down the street. Oddly enough they never came by again.

As far as JWs I just contact the local Kingdom Hall and explain that I do know want them pioneering at my door. Growing up I just needed tell them "if I have any questions I would be more comfortable talking to "name of JW buddy"".

[kindred_99]

Getting a gift makes you (consciously or unconsciously) feel like you have to give something back to them, like you're in their debt.

Exactly. There was something about this in the movie Religulous which I remember mentioning religious groups, mainly Christians that would go to war-torn or poor/ravaged areas and help the people, feed them, etc and while they were there indoctrinate them with religious beliefs. If someone is hungry and desperate enough they will take help from anyone, and if they are vulnerable at the same time it is easy for religious people to take advantage of them. It is likely why you will find random pockets of Christianity where you wouldn't otherwise expect them.

[mysticalinfluence]

To answer your questions. The reasons I heard they try to knock from door to door, it's because these JW/Mormons are required to knock on doors and converting is part of their quota. If they don't meet their quota, they don't get into heaven.

I thought in Christianity, one does not have to do anything to fullfil a quota. God is all loving, so if you believe in him (some small requirements, no quota system, this ain't the police ticketing sorta thing), you are forgiven for your sins thus going to heaven.

I got news for you Jehovah Witness aren't Christians they don't believe in Jesus nor heaven. They don't celebrate Christmas,Easter etc. becasue they are pagan holidays that the greeks integrated in Christianity. I'm well aware of the whole Jehovah Witness thing as my grandmother and mother where ones before she married my father an atheist, whom like me doesn't believe in such things .

[willdacanucker]

It's some kind of sleazy if that's their intent. Sleazy, and manipulative. I mean, it's one thing for adults to go around. But bringing children in on the act (and that boy was young) is a horrible low.

I was born, raised, and bred in the JW cult. I started door to door preaching almost by force by the time I was 7 or 8 years old.

[Ziggy007]

They usually have the children read you the scripture once you open the door.

The is part of the indoctrination / brainwashing of their children that this is a normal event, and also it is a lot harder for people to be rude and shut the door int he face of a child.

The best look I get is when they give me their whole speech and say "I don't believe in God" and they look so sad for me and desperately try to convince me otherwise.

[BluePhirePB]

I had this happen to me two weeks ago. An older (probably 40s) gentleman rang my doorbell at 9am on a Saturday morning. I saw the book and pamphlets in his hand followed by his opening words "If you had God on your side ...". I politely told him no thanks and he smiled, nodded and walked away. 30 seconds later, two young girls dressed in Sunday dresses carrying that same pamphlet (looked like they were his children, one 14-15, one 6-8) rang my doorbell and I just told them "Someone was already here" and they just said "oh" and left.

[RolandCouch]

I was born, raised, and bred in the JW cult. I started door to door preaching almost by force by the time I was 7 or 8 years old.

You should start an ask me about being a JW thread.