Well obviously, you show some signs of interest, or else they would not come around. If you are honest with them they will have integrity, they will leave you alone. Honesty is the answer. Don’t be scared, they are on the Lords errand.

When missionaries have nothing better to do, they engage in an activity that we call tracting. This involves walking through residential neighborhoods knocking on doors looking for people interested in learning about our religion. This is the most inefficient way of finding people to teach, but sometimes it is all the missionaries have to do. If you are not interested in the message they have to give, then just politely tell them so and they will move on. When I was a missionary, we kept records of the places we tracted and the responses that we got so that we would not keep bothering people who had already told us that they were not interested. Unfortunately, some missionaries are worse than others about keeping these records. Also, the missionaries in a given area will eventually knock on all of the doors in that area. So, eventually they have to start over. However, most proselytizing areas are big enough that the missionaries in that are should take at least 2-3 years to tract them out (by which time many people will have moved in or out). So, if you don't want the missionaries bothering you, then just politely, but directly tell that you are not interested. They will usually respect your wishes and leave you along. If they are coming around more often then about every two or three years, then you might want to politely suggest to them that they do a better job of keeping track of whose door they have knocked on so that they don't waste their time knocking on the doors of those that have already told them that they aren't interested.

Ask them to read the book about Joseph Smith and come back if they are happy with it. I dont think they will ever show up again. Of do what I did. I told them that I dated a mormon and they are worse than alot of other non religous men. (its a true story)

Say "Oh, come in and have a glass of tea!" They will leave and not come back.

You have a great point - I'd keep saying No - unless they are from your church or people you know

Actually they would not be allowed to teach you anyway. If you were interested they would have to send two female missionaries to teach you. To protect you and them!

I don't think you are showing signs of interest but Mormon people have a missionary program and they truly mean no harm. They are trying to follow the orders from their Bishop or who ever tells them that part of their faith requires work in the mission fields. I'm a Christian and to me the mission fields are everywhere I go. If opportunity presents its self to help another person then I will always take the opportunity of being kind and offering them help with unconditional love. That after all is the second commandment, Love your neighbor like you love yourself. If more people in this world would learn to love their neighbors, this would include people from other countries and of other faiths, the hatred and pointless killing would pretty much stop. Humans are so greedy and they live with ideology that presents them with predisposed hatred. They will kill their neighbor simply because they are not the same color or race. If they actually knew the person or people they would most likely find a possibility for friendship. The Mormon missionaries are just trying to reach out and spread the Word of God and what they believe. They're not bad people, like so many others here have recommended, say say thanks but no thanks. One thing is for certain, the way the world is going right now something needs to happen before we completely destroy the entire human race, and for what? I'm personally for world peace and loving even my enemies. Sorry I ran on but this is a good topic to discuss and you deserve as many open minded answers as possible. GOOD LUCK!

Because once you willingly let them into your house you will have to call the sheriff to get them out. So they can fulfill their mission of spending time with you and being persecuted for their beliefs (some hyperbole there). Ask them in for a shot of bourbon with the understanding that you have a stopwatch running and for every minute they talk you get a minute. Then hit them with pepper spray and turn your cat loose on them! ;-)

marry me

Ask them if you can sit with them outside instead. Technically, they should not come in unless you have someone with you. I think it is written in the guide, but not everybody reads it. Mormon missionaries are not permitted to date while they are on their missions, so you are probably safer with them than with most other men. You can also request sister missionaries who are available in many areas, or meet with them on neutral ground or at the church. Your safety is very important, of course, and so is their message. I strongly recommend you find some way to accommodate them, without breaking any rules or boundaries, theirs or yours.

I assume these missionaries are male? I only ask because you didn’t specify and I’m not sure why there would be a problem, otherwise. If so, this question has been quite well answered. :-)

Generally... the "Pit Bulls On Guard" sign discourages any unwanted visitors. If they ignore the sign, the barking helps, as does the image of an angered watch-dog in the window. ^_^

you should always be nice to hem there just trying to spred the gospal wiether you belive in it or not its up to you but never be rude... p.s. possumif i werent a member of this church i would thouroly tell you some things that i no YOU would have no problem saying but since i am a member and i dont want any one think any more bad things about the church ill just keep my mouth shut... p.s.s.i would advise you to do the same

They keep asking because if they can remove that first barrier of resistance they have made an inroad. Most people are polite to others in their own homes, and there is the chance that as you politely listen you'll hear something that makes you think, or question your current system of belief. I think this is the psychological strategy that the missionaries are using. They want to get into your comfort zone, and feel they can exude an aura of trustworthiness to get beyond that personal safety concern. Personally I feel this is wildly insensitive and shows a lack of respect for one's privacy.

because there is power in numbers. I can understand the mindset relious people have regardin missionaries and the need to go out and spread the word and "help" the godless heathens in the world but to me I fingd it offensive for people to try to push their religious agendas. If I want to know about them I will attend their church or call them up. As far as missionaries abraod they might think they are going to poor places and bringing them food and education and god but what they do not consider is how they are systematically destroying cultures just like they have done with the indians and the mayans and tribes in south america and all over the world. They go to these places and offer them help, but it is not free. They get them to convert and many of these peoples do convert not because they see the light of christ but because they need the food and resources. I used to invite these people into my home when they came and debate with them, often times turning their game on them. But now I am wiser and no longer wish to waste my time. The bottom line is this. Why would a god want his people to go out and spread his word? Especially in this day and age, there is no need for it. especially when some of these door to door god salesmen didn't even know the bible as well as I did. If you are spiritual you should know spirituality is an internal personal experience and you would not care to try to spread the word or convert, you would be concerned with your own relationship with a higher power. If you are not spiritual then why are you on your knees praying, tied up in dogma and the ornaments of religion? I know I will get some nast comments here and people thinking I am attacking religion but I am not, I only wish to exist without them trying to cram their delusion down my throat. With crime the way it is now days I don't blame you for not letting them in, they could be anyone. And in my opinion I think I would rather take my chances with a mugger than a delusional religious tool

Why? Money and minds. In that order.

Well from my experience missionaries do have a mission. It is all very well preaching friendship and love but I'm afraid conversion and money are top priorities for them. They may well start off as 'real friendly' and the next thing you know they will be asking you to go to Bible studies (which progresses from Sunday school type lessons with prayers to heavier Bible study lessons which are pure brain washing), Bible study sessions where you have to confess your sins. Then praying out loud so they know all your secrets. Then baptism and if you don't they will bully you until you do. Then teaching you that money doesn't matter and before you know it your donating and if they have your way it will be a 10th of your income each year. And by the time you realise what your doing, its too late. They have drawn you away from your family and friends and you find it difficult to break away. Don't go there. It's not worth it.

At my house, only strangers knock on our front door. Everyone who knows us comes 'round back. And I learned many years ago, that just because someone knocks does NOT mean you have to answer. If you are not interested in the spiel, do not answer the door. Who cares if they know you are at home? Maybe you are in the bath or having hot sex or just tired and cranky. If you don't know who is knocking, why on earth would you answer the door??? Safety first, everything else secondary! Be safe and maybe post a sign on your front door that simply reads: No Solicitation

I would imagine they are going door to door, witnessing for Christ. If you want to speak to them about Jesus then ask which church they are from then go pay them a visit. If you don't want to be witnessed to then just don't answer the door, or politely decline their offer.

Buy yourself a Rottweiler and chain him to the front porch

If you are talking about LDS (mormon) missionaries, they are NOT supposed to go into a home of a lady who is home alone..single or married, old or young. Call the local LDS Stakes (churches) and ask to Talk directly to the Bishop concerning this...

Male missionaries? If you're interested you should set up a time when they can come with someone else, preferably female, as a chaperon. If you're not interested you should tell them that up front and they should go away. If they don't, note their names (should be on the name tag) and call the mission home and report them. If they're really Mormon elders, the mission office will recognize the names you report and take care of it.

I have had to send this as an answer. Apologies to the other participants in this debate. This comment is in reply to Otter's comments to me. Well, Otter, I appreciate your concern to try and correct me in what I said, but nowhere does it mention the church of LDS in the question. Re: 'Sharing'. There are many Christian Fundamentalist missionaries out there and they are after more than 'sharing' the gospel when they knock on people's doors. The bland and sickly sweet jargon that Christian missionaries use is just another tactic to con innocent, vulnerable people into parting with their money (10% of it to boot. What a rip off!) which they do once they have got them into your grasp. Re: 'The money goes on the church, feeding the needy etc'. It's the etc that worries me. I think that all churches and fellowships should be required to publish exactly where the money goes. In a large number of cases it goes to supporting Israel, but many churches keep quiet about this. Some missionaries do earn a salary and commission on the number of Bible studies they sell. Re: 'bullying'. This happens. I have seen it with my own eyes. A Christian fellowship that requires its members to be rebaptize (but of course they don't tell you this when you join) and if you don't you are shunned by the leader and members of the church. Not only that, but if you question anything they say they start bullying until anyone who holds a slightly different view is either bullied into submission or forced to leave the church. I am quite aware that the systems vary from church to church and I do not question the system that you use in your church. It is the sneeky way in which many missionaries entice people into their grasp and then get people to part with their money. If I come to the church of my own volition and part with my money that is my affair, but the 'soft sell', the 'gentle nudging', the 'charming', the cajoling of very often vulnerable, lonely people out of their savings or earnings in the name of God is atrocious and should be stopped. It is no better than a door-to-door salesman or the fox in Jemima Puddle Duck. Again, I do really appreciate your concern to attempt to correct me, but I know what I am talking about. I have seen it done to other people and it is time to make a stand. You have a nice day now.

Some had the nerve to come around to my house once, which was a fairly stupid idea as I have a Scottish Deerhound and he doesn't like them much either...haha Plus it's trespassing to wander up someone's drive completely uninvited and unwanted.

They are sent by God and God says he would never send you where the grace of God could not be there for you. The are concerned for you and have love in their heart from Him for you. See they are on a mission from God and in there heart they feel God says to go to you and minister what you need. Take the blessing and thank them they are truly doing God's work.

They are young men and women who truly want to bring the Word to you. They have many good things to say. There is no call to be rude to them. Tell them you are uncomfortable letting them in because you are female and alone. Frankly I am surprised that given that circumstance they would even come in. If you express interest in further visits they will bring females, or an oldster--a chaperon, in any event. This is a requirement of the church for all missionaries, for their protection as well as yours. The LDS church is not stupid. Mormons are not offended if you drink coffee, tea, or alcohol. They are not going to run screaming in the streets if you say these words. After all, you are not the church member so why would they expect you to live by the Book of Mormon? Even if you take instruction from the missionaries you can sit there and enjoy any of these beverages in front of you. They ask you to abstain ONLY once you are baptised. Yes, I am LDS and grateful to have found the church.

You've got a point there. Even if real missionaries come around and really do just want to chat, whats stopping some psycho or rapist pretending to be a missionary? They could get into your house and do god knows what... That in turn would stop people opening their doors to all missionaries for their own safety. I think missionaries should stop doing this... Its a bit outdated and whats to stop them wandering into some psychos house and being attacked too?

They are just doing what they are told. They don't know any better. I would just keep turning them away like you have been.

They know you're alone & people like this prey on the vulnerable.

I was raised mormon and can tell you right now if they are male they cannot enter your home,its a church law that male missionaries can NOT enter a signal famales home or a married females home with out her husband being there. call your local mormon church and tell them to stop sending missionares its harassment!