[Bob Fry]

They often sincerely believe that others that do not believe in their system or god will go to hell when they die, and want to spare others that tragedy. Also, their churches often have a formal visitation program that requires they visit so many homes each month, and if they don’t they will be ostracized in the church.

User Detail :  

Name : Bob Fry, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 49, City : Sacramento, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : engineer, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 

[Steve S.]

Some religions teach that this is required to be a good disciple of that religion. Failure to do so may mean loss of their rewards in whatever afterlife their religion teaches. They insist on continuing because they are trying to get you to accept their religion – you are ‘lost’ and need what they offer if you are to have any chance of their version of the afterlife.

User Detail :  

Name : Steve S., Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Christian, Age : 43, City : Halifax, State : NA, Country : Canada, Occupation : Technical, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Paul]

In the early 90’s I spent about three years working as a Field Secretary for The Religious Society of Friends–sort of like a traveling minister without a pulpit. Among liberal Friends we do not proseletyze at all. We tend to believe that people will find us when they are ready. Truth being–not many do! A couple years ago I became disabled and was home bound for quite some time. I had the opportunity to meet a number of Jehovah Witnesses and Mormans and a couple Baptists. I found them fascinating people even though we did not share the same theology. I am an academic and a low-rent theologian as well as a teacher and I care deeply about people and their world views. Since I was home and bored and am always looking for a challenge I let these folks in to discourse. I found that when I was willing to listen and even challenge they were generally very cordial. One Jehovah’s Witness became a good friend even though we are very clear about where we stand. I early on figured out that each of these groups felt that they were bringing me the Pearl of Great Price that was in their estimation the most wonderful gift one person could give another. I learned a great deal from these people, but I understand that busy people do not want to take the time to let themselves be challenged. While I will never be a convert I had to respect their earnest sincerity even if we were talking all the way back out the front door! Too bad some of these folks give a whole religion a bad name. I have to say, I just love it when somebody comes to the door and wants to know if I have been SAVED. Sort of feel like the spider inviting in the fly!

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Name : Paul, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : diabetes, migraines, spinal deterioration, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Quaker, Age : 53, City : Normal, State : IL, Country : United States, Occupation : university placement counselor, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Rafael Macias]

Membership Drives pay bills. To the leaders of the church, it is a higher number in membership. When you multiply that number by ten percent of the average income of the members you get your answer. Who do you think pays for the church new construction, literature, utilities, advertising? The members. It’s a business and the product is riches in heaven. Are you buying into it?

User Detail :  

Name : Rafael Macias, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Hispanic/Latino (may be any race), Religion : Atheist, Age : 33, City : Norfolk, State : VA, Country : United States, Occupation : Naval Officer, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[les]

Anthony, Although you bring up some valid points, I as a Bible believing Christian, feel that most of your statement has a decidedly humanistic slant of Jesus, His followers, and the reasons He came to be with us. First off, you state ‘many Christian faiths compell their members to witness’. Matthew states in his book ( 28:19 & 20) that Jesus told his deciples to ‘go into all nations and make new deciples teaching them to observe all he had commanded’. This comes directly from Jesus and is one of the main reasons he came in the first place. After accepting Christ as your personal Savior and loving God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength, (see Mark 12:30 & 31)witnessing is the first step in ‘following the ethical philosophy put forth by Jesus of Nazareth’ (to use your words) Secondly, you state that ‘these people’ (I assume you are referring to evangelical Chrintians) have ‘dumbed down the idea of witnessing by viewing it as a …..marketing exercise’. Jesus said, as recorded in the book of John chapter 14 verse 6, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the light no one comes to the Father but through Me’. With this statement Jesus, not ‘these people’, made his plan of salvation simple enough for a child to understand. I believe He made it simple not to be condesending or as a ‘marketing exercise’, but because He loves us. You also say in this paragraph that ‘in truth, (yours,not what I read in the Bible)witnessing should consistof simply living out the principles put forth by Christ’. Again, this flies in the face of the great commission given by Jesus to ‘go into all nations and preach the Gospel’. We as humans will never be able to to live the perfect life that Jesus did while here on earth. Given that, I would never want anyone to base their eternal future on my words or actions. It is impossibe for us as sinners to ‘live out the principles put forth by Christ’, that is why He gave his perfect life as atonement for our imperfect lives. Finally, a ‘true Christian’ can not convert anyone by acts or words. We can share what the Bible says and our own experiences but the Holy Spirit must work on a persons heart. I love you man and if you would like to email me I’m at rgoldenetz@cs.com

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Name : les, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Baptist, Age : 54, City : tallahassee, State : FL, Country : United States, Occupation : retired, Education level : Technical School, Social class : Middle class, 

[Glenn]

The groups most noted for door-to-door evangelism are the Watchtower Society (Jehovah’s Witnesses) and Latter Day Saints (Mormons). These are Protestant sects which many other Protestant groups view as radically deviant or even as cults. One of the main features of Protestant Christianity is a very literal adherence to the Bible. There are instances in the New Testament where Jesus tells his disciples to go out in pairs and announce his coming. These passages are the main basis for an interpretation to go out in pairs and spread the gospel message. And from thence we have modern day disciples going door-to-door believing they are doing God’s will. Whether or not a religion recruits members is certainly determined by the underlying philosophy of the religion. When Mohammed founded Islam the Muslim faith initially grew and spread at the edge of the Saracen sword, and a modern day analogy may certainly be made that Osama bin Laden’s hijaked aircraft ‘knocked on America’s doors’. And his method was certainly consistent with his purpose to inflame a Jihad. This is not to imply that all Muslims are extremists, but merely to serve as an example of an extremist philosophy manifesting itself in extremist acts. Jesus was certainly more radical, zealous, fanatical and extremist than his modern day ‘followers’ give him credit for or would dare to emulate themselves, and it is this inconsistency between the modern day practice of Christianity and the original philosophy evident in the the life and teachings of Jesus which rightly leads many to label supposed Christians as ‘hypocrites’. I myself was a Christian of Baptist/Evangelical/Mennonite bent for about 20 years before my philosophy forced me to abandon that creed and become an atheist. Namely, that any God of consequence which craved my adoration and harboured goodwill towards me would intervene plainly and directly in my life without recourse to fallible or deceptive and manipulative human agencies. The truth of that philosophy is self-evident to any intelligent free-thinking human, and I don’t believe that it requires me to go knocking on any doors to enlist believers…but it might!!

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Name : Glenn, Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Atheist, Age : 41, City : Abbotsford, State : NA, Country : Canada, Education level : High School Diploma, Social class : Lower class, 

[Glenn]

On a more practical note, these methods (door-to-door canvassing) have worked well for the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses in growing their membership, so why wouldn’t they continue with these methods? It is the same concept as the annoyance of tele-marketing calls disturbing your dinner. Although the majority of calls will result in angry refusals, some will result in sales. If the marketing is intensive enough, it will yield profits. And so active evangelism when thorough and intense leads to membership growth more successfully than a passive ‘wait-for-them-to-come-to-us’ evangelism.

User Detail :  

Name : Glenn, Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Atheist, Age : 41, City : Abbotsford, State : NA, Country : Canada, Education level : High School Diploma, Social class : Lower class, 

[K-S-B]

Saint Francis said: ‘Preach the gospel at all times. If necesssary, use words.’

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Name : K-S-B, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : wasting muscle diseaee, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 67, City : Corvallis, State : OR, Country : United States, Occupation : retired, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class, 

[Bill]

Your religion is your business and the last thing I would do is to urge you to change it. That would be rude and intrusive. Why can’t door-knockers be as polite when told to go away?

User Detail :  

Name : Bill, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 69, City : Missoula, State : MT, Country : United States, Occupation : retired, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Deborah25786]

Jesus gave the command to go out into the nation and spread the gospel. At least in my church, we are not trying to recruit people for any other reason than to share the gospel so that people will come to accept Christ as their Savior. Now I do remember having the same question back in my younger years. But I recently finished a FAITH class at my church, that teaches you how to share the Gospel and I never thought I would actually go to someone’s door. So if someone does come to your door, be kind and just let them know that it’s not a good time for you. Jesus was never pushy with people, He just shared the Gospel and performed miracles and people believed. I will pray that people will not push you, because they could push you away from the very thing that Jesus would love you to come to……HIM!

User Detail :  

Name : Deborah25786, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 38, City : Charlotte, State : NC, Country : United States, Occupation : School Social Worker, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[pete]

…what burns my rear end are those christians who seem to think thier religion is the only valid one and if you dont follow thiers, your gonna BURN IN HELL FOREVER!!!do you evangelicals think that other people (I am native american) different from you DONT have thier own religion passed down to them from thier ancestors?!?…I think those who try to force thier religion on others are the epitome of arrogance and hypocrisy…

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Name : pete, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : American Indian, Religion : Native American, Age : 50, City : Parshall, State : ND, Country : United States, Occupation : communications, Education level : High School Diploma, 

[Ken]

It’s certainly a part and almost a requiement of many christian sects. It used to irritate me a lot until I finally understood the people knocking on my door where only doing what their particular sect either required or strongly suggested they do. After that realization I changed my door answering behavior. I now tell people that I sincerely appreciate the time and effort they’ve made to come around to my house and impart their message, but that I’m happy with my beliefs. By saying this, I’m validating what they’re doing and we both depart the interaction happy.

User Detail :  

Name : Ken, City : Carson City, State : NV, Country : United States, 

[Jackie E.]

Of course, it is completely up to the individual if they want to listen or not when people visit. We are accountable, or responsible, for the decisions we make. But the reason why members ‘evangelize’ is because of the direction that the Bible gives. Despite understanding WHY people ‘witness’, however, there will still be individuals who disagree with their work. That’s how it’s going to be. That will not change. The Reasons: Jesus commanded that his followers preach and teach. (Matthew 28:19,20) Loving God is the first, or most important, commandment. (Matthew 22:37,38) Following his commandments is how we show that we love God. (1 John 5:3) Loving your neighbor is the second commandment. (Matthew 22:39) – This love is shown by a person’s testimony to others about the Bible. Just as a person may show love romantically, sometimes this act love is not reciprocated or appreciated. Preaching and teaching should be done respectfully. (1 Peter 3:15) Followers of Christ are to also show love in OTHER ways. (Galatians 6:10)- There’s a religion that has a provision for those who have encountered disasters. Food & clothing, and repair to homes is provided. Believers do not want to ‘brow beat’ anyone or shove God’s Word down anyone’s throats. They have to be respectful and tactful, following as closely as they can the example Jesus left. As a believer, I know it is hard work. But it is encouraging, strengthening and enjoyable. I respectfully allow others to not be interested, but I understand how important it is for people to know what the Bible says. And that’s why we go back. We never know who we’ll find on our next visit. They could have had a death in the family, lost their job, moved, died… one never knows. Sorry for taking up so many paragraphs, but I hope this has added some understanding.

User Detail :  

Name : Jackie E., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Age : 24, City : Chicago, State : IL, Country : United States, Education level : High School Diploma, 

[Lisa]

We love people and want to help them. I believe that I have some of the answers and can help. Not everyone needs my help…but some do. If you are one who does not, tell me, and I’ll be on my way. But, for every 1 rejection I get at the door, I get 99 positive responses. Rarely is anyone ever rude to me and neither am I rude to them.

User Detail :  

Name : Lisa, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Baptist, Age : 39, City : Moultrie, State : GA, Country : United States, Occupation : teacher, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Heather]

Because the Bible tells them to spread the Gospel and they get a bigger mansion in heaven if they get more people saved. Try doing what I do – When I see them coming down the street, I draw a big pentacle (a circle with a star in it) on a piece of paper with a note like ‘GO AWAY’ on it, and tape it to the door. It worked last time. They never bothered to knock. They just left their tracts there for me to read.

User Detail :  

Name : Heather, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Pagan, Age : 31, City : Cleveland, State : TN, Country : United States, Occupation : Self-employed - Internet, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

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