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What to do to stop religious literature?

This and Easter are very hard times of the year for me. Today alone two different Christian churches paid a visit and left literature. First was a group of about 4 men who knocked on my door. I didn't open it but asked who it is and they said they were from a Baptist church. I told them "No thanks, we have our own religion", not letting on that I live alone. The one guy says "Oh, it's not that...." and something about Candy canes and an invitation for kids. I told them we don't have kids, through the door. Then he asks if there are other kids in the complex. I said "None that I know of". Finally they left me alone. I went to get the mail right after they left and noticed they left literature for the neighbor across the hall. Luckily not for me.

Then tonight I noticed there was a flier for some Christian festival from a local church and sponsored or something by a local TV station.

I might be sensitive, but I've had A LOT of bad experiences with Proselytizing Christians. Some really went as far as to leave tracts telling me I'm going to burn in hell. I don't want any literature from Christian organizations at all.

I wonder what is the best way to stop it? I tried calling churches that left tracts but then they give me the "free speech" thing and tell me I'm going to burn in hell when I asked that they not leave anymore tracts at my home. I tried the town hall and they too sited "free speech" even when I pointed out they were littering by leaving unwanted papers at my home. I tried the complex management but they call and get ignored. I even tried putting up a sign saying no literature, no soliciting, religious or otherwise and I would get more "you're going to hell" literature.

I really am at a loss as to what to do. I've got a disability and picking up trash left at my door is getting a bit painful. Not to mention even more so the emotional toll it takes just being reminded of all this stuff.

Anyone have any ideas on how to make them stop?

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Permalink Reply by Michael Kinsella on December 5, 2011 at 6:10pm

Hmmm. Highly unusual.

Permalink Reply by Carolyn Suman on December 5, 2011 at 7:13pm

I feel for you, it can be a long & difficult process to overcome the problems your dealing with. I'm just wondering if you have some methods to combat the emotional turmoil this is causing you until your able to put a stop to it? Do you practice your exercises? Have you tried shielding before you face having to pick up the literature to dispose it? I'm also on the healing process from emotional problems and feel the setbacks my ex and his family cause with thier negativity and constant accusations (they refer to me as a black witch lol), I'm also unable to completely keep them out of my life as they're my Childrens family still and communications essential in my situation. I've found affirmations very helpful along with my exercises. "I am a good person, I give and receive love open and honestly, thier words resonate the hate in thier heart not who I am. The Goddess loves me", anything that reinforces thier words don't reflect on who you are.

Permalink Reply by Wllow Beam on December 5, 2011 at 7:17pm

I have not had this issue and I am sorry that you are being targeted. One option would be to get a small bathroom sized trash can or basket and place it outside of your door. Place a sign above it stating," Please place all literature in the basket and I will review it later. This includes pizza menus, chinese food menus, religious material, etc. Thank you for caring and respecting my request". This might even take care of the offenders littering your hallways.

Permalink Reply by Phoenix Rising on December 5, 2011 at 11:22pm

Hi, Sevenmoons!
Sorry to hear of your issues with the hand-delivered junk mail. Do you have one of those long-handled grabber thingies? If not, get one, and use it to pick up the junk if the basket idea doesn't work. That way, you don't have to bend over and pick it up. You can just drop it into the basket until you toss it all into the trash at once.

None of them want to be on film being rude and obnoxious~~ You could just put up a sign stating that all solicitors will be video-taped, also stating Litterers will be turned over to the police. Remember to add that all unrequested paper products are considered litter~~
THEY don't know if you really have a surveillance camera on them, and surveillance cameras are perfectly legal~~

Brightest Blessings~~Phoenix

Permalink Reply by Phoenix Rising on December 6, 2011 at 1:08am

Yes, I understand the parking lot photos being considered 'illegal'. The owner of the vehicle lives there, and the parking lot is, implicitly and by extension, a part of their home. It's not a public area for parking while people run errands at other places, freely available to the general public. Photos being taken of complex residents and their belongings without their permission SHOULD be illegal.
If the camera is in your apartment, and only in use by you when answering your door, with prior warning that people are being filmed, then I can't see where there would be any illegality on your part.

Be that as it may, though - the programming of your robot sounds like the best answer all around. You DON'T have to answer your door to anyone but the police, and that's only after they show you identification, and if they want to enter against your wishes, a warrant. Your complex's personnel may have different regulations, but if so, you agreed to those regs when you signed the lease~~~

Common courtesy and good manners seem to have been omitted in the education of many people, no matter what religion, or lack thereof, they avow. (As witness the proliferation of political propaganda dropped on doorsteps!)

Permalink Reply by Carolyn Suman on December 6, 2011 at 7:29am

I once bought 'fake' cameras from an electrical shop, they look like a surveillance camera but just move back & forth with a small flashing light to appear as they're recording. I don't think you could get in trouble for mounting one of those outside your door, just for the illusion your filming them.

Permalink Reply by Drakill Tannan on December 7, 2011 at 7:34am

Why not flim them as they knock in your door? When you get out to see who'se knocking, bring a camera with you.

Permalink Reply by Drakill Tannan on December 7, 2011 at 10:01am

I know, i'm just throwing random ideas :P
Why not put a box specifically for religious literature? You know, like a mailbox with a tag "Please leave flyers on this box". No one will know you throw all that to the garbage without even looking at it.

Permalink Reply by Phoenix Rising on December 6, 2011 at 1:09pm

LOL!! 'Giving you ideas' is what we're all here for, my Dear Lady! You need to realize that YOU control your life, and not anyone else! If you 'take charge' of your life, and empower yourself, I suspect you'll find that these obnoxious proselytizers don't really bother you - you may even come to find them humorous in time! You may also find yourself feeling somewhat sorry for them, in their fear-ridden blindness. Why else would such bad manners as provoking you, and then laughing at you, be so strongly manifested by them? On some level, they NEED to feel superior to you and others, just to feel good about themselves. I find it rather sad when people define themselves by such petty actions, based on the feelings of 'unworthiness' drummed into them by a Church.

We are all Children of the Universe, and have a Right to be here, and happy!! Re-read 'Desiderata' - I've always found inspiration in that poem~~
Brightest Blessings~~Phoenix

Permalink Reply by Opal Adya on December 7, 2011 at 9:50am

Hello SevenMoons!
As Phoenix says, this is the best thing you can do- ignore them, change your perspective towards the literature and the people. I fee really sorry for people who have to live in a religious intolerant environment. We cant be helped with people who want to change our beliefs. The only thing is to avoid them.
See, only thing that can bother or hurt you is your own thought about the matter in concern. If you will forget the annoyance, you will find it rather amusing to see people blindfolded by their pettiness.

Permalink Reply by Opal Adya on December 7, 2011 at 9:50am

Pheonix, I read the poem. It has a nice message. Thank you for mentioning it.

Permalink Reply by Phoenix Rising on December 7, 2011 at 1:38pm

It's one of the closest things to 'scripture' that I acknowledge~~ glad you liked it, Opal!