Indiana trooper fired for proselytizing on duty to motorist

[widdershins]

Man, I love how things are starting to change in America.  It wasn't all that long ago when freedom from persecution by religious people was an impossible dream.  And today I read not one, but TWO stories which inspire me and give me hope for the future of freedom from religion.

[TomFoolery]

Don't get too comfortable, as the Army of God hasn't had sufficient time to organize a defense against this "religious persecution." Despite the fact that no one would dispute it's inappropriate to sell other products while on duty as a police officer (gym memberships or Mary Kay cosmetics for example), somehow there are many with the idea that it should be ok to sell God.

It's really funny, I have a "no soliciting" sign on my door and it never stopped the Jehovah's Witnesses and church groups from knocking on my door anyway. I used a Sharpie to amend the sign to "No Soliciting (even for Jesus)" and I still get just as many knocks as I did before.

Literally no one likes telemarketers or pushy salespeople, but you know, it's different when we're praising the Lord and all that. In their minds, they aren't being rude, they're "letting their light shine through." 

[SGOS]

Despite the fact that no one would dispute it's inappropriate to sell other products while on duty as a police officer (gym memberships or Mary Kay cosmetics for example), somehow there are many with the idea that it should be ok to sell God.

How about Tupperware?

[Nonsensei]

I'd buy tupperware during a traffic stop if it meant I didn't get a ticket.

[Johan]

It's really funny, I have a "no soliciting" sign on my door and it never stopped the Jehovah's Witnesses and church groups from knocking on my door anyway. I used a Sharpie to amend the sign to "No Soliciting (even for Jesus)" and I still get just as many knocks as I did before. 

From what I've read, those in the business of soliciting door to door are trained to look for those signs and target them. The reason being that it is very common for people who can't say no to solicitors and sales people (i.e. easy marks) to use those signs in an attempt to keep them away. Your sign actually attracts them instead of keeping them away.

[TomFoolery]

From what I've read, those in the business of soliciting door to door are trained to look for those signs and target them. The reason being that it is very common for people who can't say no to solicitors and sales people (i.e. easy marks) to use those signs in an attempt to keep them away. Your sign actually attracts them instead of keeping them away.

Interesting. I also have a beware of dog sign and every time they read the doorbell, he goes nuts. Then I open the door and make a show of holding him back. If they comment about him, I just say something like, "He's an atheist" or "He's incredibly good at reading people, I don't know what it is about you..." and they turn cold pretty quick.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Don't get too comfortable, as the Army of God hasn't had sufficient time to organize a defense against this "religious persecution." Despite the fact that no one would dispute it's inappropriate to sell other products while on duty as a police officer (gym memberships or Mary Kay cosmetics for example), somehow there are many with the idea that it should be ok to sell God.

It's really funny, I have a "no soliciting" sign on my door and it never stopped the Jehovah's Witnesses and church groups from knocking on my door anyway. I used a Sharpie to amend the sign to "No Soliciting (even for Jesus)" and I still get just as many knocks as I did before.

Literally no one likes telemarketers or pushy salespeople, but you know, it's different when we're praising the Lord and all that. In their minds, they aren't being rude, they're "letting their light shine through." 

Pepper spray. The word will get around.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Interesting. I also have a beware of dog sign and every time they read the doorbell, he goes nuts. Then I open the door and make a show of holding him back. If they comment about him, I just say something like, "He's an atheist" or "He's incredibly good at reading people, I don't know what it is about you..." and they turn cold pretty quick.

[Mike Cl]

How about Tupperware?

Amway would be better to sell for a police officer--or maybe Avon.

[SGOS]

Amway would be better to sell for a police officer--or maybe Avon.

There's an interesting movie called "Go", I think was the name.  Where this officer nails some drug users, and turns them into undercover snitches.  He invites them to his house for dinner, where he and his wife end up trying to recruit them into selling Amway products, although they didn't call it Amway, but it was the same kind of pyramid scheme.  The movie has much more to it, and it's worth a watch, but it's kind of violent.

[kilodelta]

Pepper spray. The word will get around.

Yes! Make sure it sprays when the doorbell is rung. Leave a small sign by it saying it's a pepper spray button. "This is not a door bell. It sprays capsaicin oil."

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Yes! Make sure it sprays when the doorbell is rung. Leave a small sign by it saying it's a pepper spray button. "This is not a door bell. It sprays capsaicin oil."

Where's the fun in that?

[Johan]

Interesting. I also have a beware of dog sign and every time they read the doorbell, he goes nuts. Then I open the door and make a show of holding him back. If they comment about him, I just say something like, "He's an atheist" or "He's incredibly good at reading people, I don't know what it is about you..." and they turn cold pretty quick.

We've considered putting up no soliciting signs many times. But everything I've read about them says you will be targeted more, not less, if you have one. So we solved the problem by moving to a place in the woods. Those solicitors aren't afraid of signs, but they do seem to get skittish at the thought of heading up a long driveway that might bring them face to face with the business end of a shotgun.

[widdershins]

Pepper spray. The word will get around.

Genius!