Some Mormon missionaries tried to talk to me.

[Katzpur]

Proselytising is not a "normal human activity". It's not like their niceness or interest in you is sincere. They're just salesmen.

Salesmen make money from their sales. Missionaries don't get anything. It actually costs money to go on a mission, so I disagree with your analogy. You might find it annoying to be approached; I can honestly understand why you would. That doesn't mean they're out there for two years, getting doors slammed in their faces, not dating, not going to movies or sporting events, etc. for fun. They do care and they are sharing something that has made their lives happier. That's the only reason most of them go.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Salesmen make money from their sales. Missionaries don't get anything. It actually costs money to go on a mission, so I disagree with your analogy.

Sales with a crappy commission structure is still sales.

I don't think it's an analogy; I think it's an accurate description. Missionary work isn't just like sales; it is sales.

 

[Muffled]

Not normal at all. Rude. The action says. "I am smarter than you. I have something you need, and I will try to sell it to you." What gives any human the right to have this superiority feeling to all other humans? If it was an extra pair of shoes in cold weather giving it to a homeless person, I'd understand. But religious viewpoints aren't quite that useful.

I believe a belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior can save a person from missing out on eternal life. That isn't useful now but would you sell your future for a pot of stew?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I believe a belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior can save a person from missing out on eternal life.

... you claim.

That isn't useful now but would you sell your future for a pot of stew?

Many scams are perpetrated with statements like these. What makes your sales pitch not a scam?

 

[Vinayaka]

I believe a belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior can save a person from missing out on eternal life. That isn't useful now but would you sell your future for a pot of stew?

To you, sure. Not useful to me cause I'll be in hell.

 

[David1967]

Almost kidnapped her after whipping her with a switch, before she ran home.

You should have called the police. That is assault.

 

[Vinayaka]

Doesn't one think that it was disrespectful?
Regards

Indeed it was. Very disrespectful for that person to go knocking on doors.

 

[Watchmen]

I’m really at a loss as to why some find it so offensive for another to knock on the door, say I have a message to share and then either share the message if accepted or walk away with a smile if rejected. Can it be annoying? Sure. But the hostility by some here seems a bit much.

 

[savagewind]

There used to be many more door-to-door people with something. Books, brushes, vacuum cleaners......

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I’m really at a loss as to why some find it so offensive for another to knock on the door, say I have a message to share and then either share the message if accepted or walk away with a smile if rejected. Can it be annoying? Sure. But the hostility by some here seems a bit much.

For me, it's the inherent message of proselytizing to someone who you don't know: "I have no idea what you believe, how you arrived at it, or how well it's justified, but I'm so convinced that my beliefs are superior to yours that I think you should abandon yours and take up mine."

There's also the multi-level marketing/ponzi scheme aspect to it: the approach of recruiting people to recruit to other people, etc., etc., is ethically problematic.

And then there are often problems with the beliefs being peddled themselves. I see some issues with LDS beliefs in that regard, but among proselytizing religions, the JWs are especially bad: it's one thing for someone to refuse blood transfusions for themselves, but going door-to-door trying to convince as many people as possible to refuse them for their kids? I have real trouble not considering that downright evil.

 

[Vinayaka]

For me, it's the inherent message of proselytizing to someone who you don't know: "I have no idea what you believe, how you arrived at it, or how well it's justified, but I'm so convinced that my beliefs are superior to yours that I think you should abandon yours and take up mine."

To a total stranger. That stranger may have just lost a loved one, could be going through a divorce/separation, lost a job, or more. But it's this "I'm here, I'm here!" attitude behind the whole thing. I have my sign up as encouragement to others to also put up signs. I wish they'd just ban it already. Telemarketing is annoying too.

 

[paarsurrey]

Some Mormon missionaries tried to talk to me.

I don't mind if someone knocks at my door and gives a message. If I have time I will even entertain him as a guest and will be respectful to him. There is no question of being rude to him.

Regards

 

[Watchmen]

For me, it's the inherent message of proselytizing to someone who you don't know: "I have no idea what you believe, how you arrived at it, or how well it's justified, but I'm so convinced that my beliefs are superior to yours that I think you should abandon yours and take up mine."

There's also the multi-level marketing/ponzi scheme aspect to it: the approach of recruiting people to recruit to other people, etc., etc., is ethically problematic.

And then there are often problems with the beliefs being peddled themselves. I see some issues with LDS beliefs in that regard, but among proselytizing religions, the JWs are especially bad: it's one thing for someone to refuse blood transfusions for themselves, but going door-to-door trying to convince as many people as possible to refuse them for their kids? I have real trouble not considering that downright evil.

I think you start from a false premise. The attitude (at least among LDS missionaries, who are just kids) is more along the lines of, “I don’t know what you believe, but my beliefs have brought me great happiness. I’d like to share those with you. If you’re up for it, cool! If not, that’s fine too! Oh, and I noticed your driveway is covered in snow. Any objection to me shoveling that for you?”

 

[Vinayaka]

I think you start from a false premise. The attitude (at least among LDS missionaries, who are just kids) is more along the lines of, “I don’t know what you believe, but my beliefs have brought me great happiness. I’d like to share those with you. If you’re up for it, cool! If not, that’s fine too! Oh, and I noticed your driveway is covered in snow. Any objection to me shoveling that for you?”

I have my sign so nobody knocks. But the Mormons used the house across my back fence as a missionary house. I's start the conversations usually, me being neighbourly, but I generally let them know I was Hindu straight up. So they knew not to bother. Nice kids, tough mission. I'd ask about home towns, what was next, how long they were in, and all that. One guy out of maybe 20 was seriously interested in my faith, so we (spouse and me) answered his queries. They did help me move some rosebushes one day, and I took them to a CFL football game.

I'm not sure about numbers, but some seriously regret doing the 2 year mission. They miss family stuff like sister's weddings, and hold some regrets over that.

 

[Watchmen]

To a total stranger. That stranger may have just lost a loved one, could be going through a divorce/separation, lost a job, or more. But it's this "I'm here, I'm here!" attitude behind the whole thing. I have my sign up as encouragement to others to also put up signs. I wish they'd just ban it already. Telemarketing is annoying too.

Ban it? Numerous court cases have upheld the constitutional right to free speech and held that door to door missionaries fall within that right.

 

[Watchmen]

I have my sign so nobody knocks. But the Mormons used the house across my back fence as a missionary house. I's start the conversations usually, me being neighbourly, but I generally let them know I was Hindu straight up. So they knew not to bother. Nice kids, tough mission. I'd ask about home towns, what was next, how long they were in, and all that. One guy out of maybe 20 was seriously interested in my faith, so we (spouse and me) answered his queries. They did help me move some rosebushes one day, and I took them to a CFL football game.

I'm not sure about numbers, but some seriously regret doing the 2 year mission. They miss family stuff like sister's weddings, and hold some regrets over that.

Yep. Some regret it. Some do not.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I think you start from a false premise. The attitude (at least among LDS missionaries, who are just kids) is more along the lines of, “I don’t know what you believe, but my beliefs have brought me great happiness. I’d like to share those with you. If you’re up for it, cool! If not, that’s fine too!

People who think it's fine not to get sales don't have sales quotas.

We log everyone who shows interest -- or even talks with us -- and follow up on a regular basis. That's because the whole "converting souls" thing is very much a competition. The higher ups in the church are obsessed with numbers. They want people baptized, inactive members brought back to the fold, etc. A lot of iffy baptisms happen, just so we can make a soul quota like a bunch of celestial used-car salesmen.

5 Hardcore Realities of My Time as a Mormon Missionary | Cracked.com

Oh, and I noticed your driveway is covered in snow. Any objection to me shoveling that for you?”

The principle of reciprocity in sales psychology means that when someone gives us something, we feel compelled to give something back in return. Have you ever gone to Costco and ended up with an unplanned sausage purchase because you felt an obligation to buy after you tried a free sample? That was the principle of reciprocity in action.

7 Psychological Triggers that Win Sales and Influence Customers

 

[Watchmen]

People who think it's fine not to get sales don't have sales quotas.


5 Hardcore Realities of My Time as a Mormon Missionary | Cracked.com




7 Psychological Triggers that Win Sales and Influence Customers

Quotas may or may not exist, depending on the mission. Even if they do, that doesn’t change any of what I said.

Your link to cracked is one individual’s experience. Shall we judge all penguins based on your experience alone?

EDIT: It’s also full of misinformation and half truths. It’s a total sales job AGAINST Mormonism. And you bought it hook, line and sinker.

 

[Katzpur]

Sales with a crappy commission structure is still sales.

I don't think it's an analogy; I think it's an accurate description. Missionary work isn't just like sales; it is sales.

Ten-hour days, zero commission, zero salary, zero benefits. I guess this is one we're just going to have to agree to disagree on.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Ten-hour days, zero commission, zero salary, zero benefits. I guess this is one we're just going to have to agree to disagree on.

Their whole purpose is to enroll new tithing members in their church. They feed the revenue stream of the organization they work for. It's sales.