What is your opinion on Door to Door Evangelicising...?

Question

like the Mormons or Jehovah Witnesses?

Answer 1

My opinion is that it is effective. I have witnessed it (no pun intended) first-hand, and I know from the scriptures that it is a method of preaching that Jesus Christ and his apostles and disciples engaged in.



I know of a number of people who first came into true Christianity by means of being contacted by Jehovah's Witnesses in the door-to-door ministry.



** Some of the ignorant comments you're getting from people ("it's annoying", "I think it's insecurity", etc...) would be laughable if they weren't so sad. It's sad to think that some of those rejecting this method of preaching (which Jesus DID do) also claim that they are Christians.



** Interestingly enough, some people make lying claims that anyone has called others "Satan-worshiping trash" with absolutely no proof of such. It makes you wonder what kind of life these ones have that they'd make up such ridiculous allegations. And sadly, the person making those allegations has had his reputation around Yahoo Answers destroyed because everyone can see his hypocrisy and rampant dishonesty. His relationship with his god, Satan, though is quite strong. Odd....



*** LOL! Just like I stated.....he can't prove his own lying comments. I love it!

Answer 2

It seems nice but there is a lot of zombification to make these things occur and that cannot be a good thing. I know Jesus instituted a format preaching door to door under the perfect leadership; but that does not give an organization like the Jw's the right to claim a Jesus 1914 presence to make out like that is the same as the Jesus day. I don't mind them having a go but the claim is just fraudulent

Answer 3

I wouldn't mind it so much if the people knocking were able or willing to answer even basic questions about their OWN faith.



My experience:

Mormons visited recently, really nice guys. But when I'd ask them anything they clam up or answer quickly and look nervously away.



FOR EXAMPLE:

There is a claim that an ancient tribe of Semites (Jews) immigrated to America and this tribe became the pre-cursors to modern American Indians. However genetic testing of American Indians doesn't show this at all nor is there any archeological evidence of a Jewish civilization in America, when presented with this (and a few other questions) - they responded with that "faith isn't about fact".



Why on earth would ANY missionary claim that there was not a factual basis for their religion?



Orthodox Christians have is easy in terms of belief. Myrrh-streaming icons or relics are something that everyone has seen at least once normally several times in their lives. The incorrupt relics of Saints - no doubt numerous times. If you ask us a question about historical fact, we can typically Google the answer and present it to you. We can visit the Holy Places in Israel, Palestine and Egypt and see an unbroken chain of Christianity extending for 2000+ years.



(Mormonism) A religion without a factual basis.... really? Then why missionize?



Instead they should investigate the Scripture that tells us where we can find the truth...the Church which is the "pillar and ground of the truth"



1 Timothy 3:15

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Answer 4

2 Timothy 3:6, 7

They are the kind who go quietly into peoples houses. There they get foolish women [and men] to believe them. These women [and men] know that they have done many wrong things. And they want to do many kinds of wrong things. They are always trying to learn, but never able to find out what is really true.



That's what I think of evangelization by cults like mormons and JW's. No 18 year-old kid is going to come up to me with a name tag that says "Elder X" and start telling me I don't know what I'm talking about spiritually. Not at 70+. Ain't no way. It's insulting that they think our beliefs aren't as good as theirs. Yet they cry we can't put them down for theirs. Not fair is right. I'm not the one riding around on a bike with an "Elder" nametag. And I'm elderly. I've got more right to it than they do, but don't need it with my white hair! That's badge enough. lol! Not very respectful of other's beliefs, are they?

Answer 5

Relational evangelism is much more effective than cold-calling on stranger's doorsteps. What I mean is that you seek to establish relationships with non-Christians that do not center on converting them. This is the first step. For example, you invite a coworker home for dinner or go bowling with him. Overtime, as the Holy Spirit leads, you begin to share the gospel with him. That is the second step. This method is most effective.



As for cold-call evangelism, it can have its place. However, one needs to moderate one’s tongue and speak respectfully. One Jehovah’s Witness, who answered this very question, is fond of calling Trinitarians “Satan worshipping trash” who will be “destroyed by Jehovah at Armageddon.” Rude comments like this are much less effective when trying to reach the lost. This is why many true JWs on here have labeled him a “bad associate,” a “poser,” and have blocked him from answering their questions. Basically, his reputation as a worshipper of Jehovah has been ruined. And whose fault is this? It is entirely his own fault.



Edit:



@ Jehovah Boy: You deny that you call people Satan-worshipping trash? Well, I’m a bit too busy to sort through your posts in the comments sections where you frequently do that. Anyway, once I post the link, you will no doubt delete the comment in order to hide your behavior. However, here is a link where your brothers and sisters make these comments about you:



https://answersrip.com/question/index?qid=20100331081624AAVMkAO&show=7#profile-info-AA10024451



I have emailed you 3 times and other witnesses are concerned with the way you are behaving. You just cannot go around calling people idiots or keep commenting on their lack of education or grammar! I am ashamed to call you my brother and that hurts!!! You said that you are a ministerial servant. Do you honestly think that being one gives you the right to be rude to others? I just feel plain angry that you are behaving in this manner when you are supposed to be showing love. Doesn't it bother you even a bit to have even the people "on your own team" complaining so much about your Qs and As?



And here’s how you responded:



Tuppence, I am seriously questioning your claim of being a Witness. And Vot, please spare me the "and many others" nonsense. Like Tuppence, I already question your claim of being one of our "sisters" in the faith.



Then another brother responded to you as follows:



The spirit in which you are handling the answers to this question bothers me. Vot happens to be a very dear sister and I don't think attacking our brothers and sisters is admirable. Don't bring reproach to Jehovah's name with this show of hostility.

Answer 6

i will pray for you, that is what i tell them. then i thank them for stopping by. but one time two very pretty mormon girls came to my door. i asked them if i could marry both of them right now. they giggled and left. i also told them that when i am searching for answers to the big questions, i might look them up, and until then, well, i said that soliciting is not allowed in MY own trailer park, and that the posted signs say so.



i grew up in a fundamentalist family. as a kid i had to go around and put gospel tracts on car windshields. i felt that i was doing something that people did not like and i was told that they didn't like it because they did not want the truth. as i got older i realized that the truth was that people don't like other people nosing into their religions, unless they ask for it.



i wasn't a very good evangelist. have you ever heard of the fjundamentalist sect called plymouth brethrenism? they are THE most conniving converters out there. that was the group my family belonged to. their tactics are downright blasphemous and obnoxious. i was considered a bad christian. my father acussed me of being possessed by the devil. so i figured i'd try something out. i figured that the devil was not allowed in our sunday "meeting room." and i figured that if i could use my mind to move the collection plate across the table in the middle of the room during a "meeting," then i wasn't possessed becasue possession was not allowed in there. so i concentrated for 6 months on the feat. finally i guess i clicked into how it is done, because the thing slid across the table apparently on its own. my mother saw it happen. it caught me so off guard that i had done that, that i was never able to calmly make it happen again. i got too excited in every subsequent attempt. so it could not happen again. but i proved that they were wrong. i was not of the devil! i just was not into converting people!!!!!

Answer 7

I think it's a sign of insecurity. Notice how it's only cults that do that sort of thing. They believe things that are so ridiculous that they literally have to go door to door and forcefully persuade people to join their church in order for their movement to grow. Okay, admittedly, JWs aren't nearly as pushy as Mormons, at least from my experiences, but still...



Contrast this with irreligion, which is currently the fastest growing affiliation in the U.S., and yet none of you have ever had an atheist evangelist come to your house. You know why that is? The truth can fend for itself. Nobody needs to support irreligion because anybody who really cares about the truth and doesn't just believe whatever they want to believe will come to that conclusion of their own accord.



If what you believe is REALLY true, then you shouldn't have to resort to psychological manipulation to get people to join your church.

Answer 8

My opinion is meaningless. What matters is that it is the method that Jesus and the apostles used and it is the method he instructed all of his followers to use. So it's basically a requirement that Jesus lays upon us. Regardless of if someone finds it annoying or wants it or thinks it's the right thing to do it is something anyone calling themselves a follower of Christ should do.

Answer 9

In the old days it used to be called being a neighbour. People should do it more often from other groups. In most western countries there are many people who are waiting to be asked to join something.

Answer 10

Well, Jesus and all his diciples did it. In the book of Acts it says that the did not forsake the house to house ministry. Jesus said that this good news would be preached in the entire inhabited earth. So the real question is, How can you claim to be Christian and not engage in this work?

Answer 11

I have experience of both sides



I am an ex-mormon and have done 'tracting' (door knocking) - it is miserable and ultimately unrewarding.

even if you get 1 person's interest, you have to knock on 999 doors of people who are mostly uninterested, and occasionally hostile.

I have spoken to many returned missionaries in and out of the mormon church.... and almost every one says it is the worst aspect of a mission.



I know what it's like...... but i still get annoyed when people knock on my door. I resent having to get up.... leave what I am doing.... and answer the door to people who feel morally superior to the rest of humanity.



I resent it intently



and many of the people are ignorant of anything but what their preachers have drummed into them.

for example

I know what the mormon missionaries have learned in institute, seminary and the missionary training centre, and I find they are WOEFULLY ignorant of the true history of their own church, and - instead - rely on simple psychological manipulation (testimony) to run their lives

Answer 12

Did you notice in the Bible, Jesus did not go to people's houses to preach. He went where he was invited (except for once when he invited himself to dinner... that story amused me). Jesus had a compelling message and people came to hear it. He went to where people gathered or were likely to gather, but not door to door. As a Christian, I believe that is how I should proceed in sharing his message. (The fact that I am annoyed by my dog barking when people knock on the door could add to this belief, but I'll stick with the theological explanation for now).



However, I do not object to people going door to door. If I have time, I welcome them in (after I calm the dog) and if not, I thank them and excuse myself. They are doing what they believe God has instructed them to do, and as long as they are not breaking any laws or hurting or endangering anyone, more power to them.

Answer 13

Christ and His apostles went out and taught the gospel. Since we're supposed to follow in Christ's ways don't you think that means to spread His gospel as well?

Answer 14

It's thoughtless and rude to consider that your personal opinions are so important that you must confront people in their homes, at YOUR convenience, not theirs, to present them. Those people never bother me anymore, but if they did, I wouldn't answer the door.

Answer 15

It's annoying. They are wasting their time when they could be doing something productive. I guess they're at least getting some exercise.

Answer 16

I think they are quite brave, I wouldn't want to do it. Having said that, I find it intensely irritating and I have to strain to remain polite.

Answer 17

Harmless, but a waste of time.

Answer 18

I think I'll start a door to door atheist group.....

Answer 19

It it incredibly arrogant to bother 100 people hoping to find one who will accept that you know more than they do about their own spiritual needs.

Answer 20

No offense, but the word is "evangelizing." I resent it. If I wanted what they're peddling, I'd go to them.

Answer 21

The same as telemarketers

Answer 22

It fits nicely with the right to bear arms.

Answer 23

It should be against the law to do so,

Answer 24

It's really annoying.

Answer 25

It is annoying.

Answer 26

Please don't bother me.