> From: Gary Nunn <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > The problem here in Delaware Ohio is that the Jehovah's Witnesses sometimes > don't take no for an answer. There was even one guy recently that knocked on > my door a SECOND time immediately after I closed the door in his face after > telling him no less than ten times that I was not interested. > > I think this entire issue was grossly misinterpreted. I agree that they > should have first amendment protection to speak in a PUBLIC place (public is > the operative word there), but that absolutely should not extend to an > unwelcome visit at someone's front door. If they want to preach on a street > corner, then let them go at it. At least people would have the option of > walking away if they were not interested. Allowing them to go door to door > is the same as allowing someone to force their religion on you in your own > home. Many, if not most, have trouble being rude and shutting the door in > someone's face - even an annoying someone. > > I personally would not mind so much if they would take no for an answer, but > now I fear that they will be more aggressive and harder to get rid of once > they are on your doorstep.
I doubt it. > My favorite part of their justification was the line "their authority to > preach derived from the Bible and not the government". Perhaps they should > be exempt from all other government rules as well? They are 'True Believers'. > Another part of the issue of door to door solicitations of any kind is the > safety factor. We live in a small apartment community and everyone knows > everyone. When the Jehovah's Witnesses come here, they often come in groups > of 5 to 10 people. Personally, I have a problem with 10 strangers walking > around my community with children playing outside. Certainly there will > always be people that you don't know around and one should always be > diligent about watching their kids, but I fear that this will allow > strangers more access to come and go in the neighborhood more often. >From what I know, they seem to extreme pacifists. They try and canvass every single person / house as is possible. > Perhaps the law should be amended to read that Jehovah's Witnesses can go > door to door, but homeowners have the right to greet them holding a 9mm > automatic? I wonder if that might be somewhat of a deterrent? I doubt it.
