AtheistNexus.org dicussion from 2014 on religious solicitors

Solicitors, go away
Posted by Nick Bottom on August 20, 2014 at 9:41pm in Atheism
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In the past few months, I have been approached not once, not twice, but three times by solicitors who want me to find Jesus through their website. I am deaf, and apparently one of my neighbors alerted this group that there was a deaf man in their neighborhood in need of salvation. This website purports to translate the Bible into American Sign Language, making it accessible for those who are deaf. The first time someone came by, I simply said that the Bible wasn't my thing, and when pressed, I politely told them I wasn't a believer and wished them a good day. I was very polite, but still ticked off. This same group followed up today with a different batch of solicitors, this time three nice ladies, two sisters and their mother. I took their pamphlet and told them I would take a look at it later because I was hungry for dinner and didn't want to chat.

Never mind the fact that I am an atheist. First of all, I have a master's degree and attended UC Berkeley, where I majored in English literature. I also work as an editor, and am more than competent when it comes to reading the English language. I am sick of these solicitors who assume that (a) deaf people cannot read, and (b) I am a Christian or someone who is seeking life's answers and can find them in an old collection of folk tales.

I try to be as polite as possible to these solicitors, but as soon as I say good-bye, I toss their pamphlets into the recycling bin.

Even worse, my massage therapist e-mailed me a link a few days ago to this very same website, saying it was oh so cool that the Bible has been translated into sign language. I considered this guy a good person (and a great masseuse), not the type to go about pushing religion on a client. Make that a former client; I will now look for a new massage therapist.

When these people just won't leave you alone, what do you do? I might expect this type of in-your-face solicitation in the Bible Belt, but I live in California, far from the Bible-thumping crowd.







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 Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on August 20, 2014 at 9:50pm

Hey, Nick!
One thing you can do with some of these dips is pull the old switcheroo on 'em.  They want to give you a tract?  Lay your own tract on them!  Attached here is something I put together a little while back which can give you a starting point, or you can use it yourself if you find my positions agreeable with your own.
If you do come up with something on your own, please post it here.  New ideas are always welcome
Attachments:Hi I'm an Atheist 05.doc Hi I'm an Atheist 05.doc, 105 KB
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 Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on August 21, 2014 at 6:58am

I'm on good terms with my neighbors as well ... but between 2010 and 2012, I had at least three visits from Jehovah's Witnesses where they either wanted me to justify my atheism, explain to them how a universe could come from nothing (cue Lawrence Krauss!), or counter some other lame argument they thought they could lay on me.  I should also mention that the nearest Kingdom Hall is miles from here, so my visitors were not what I would call my "neighbors."
They were treated politely in all cases.  Their arguments WEREN'T, though ... which may be why they haven't been around lately!
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 Permalink Reply by Luara on August 21, 2014 at 7:21am

I've been reading the book Why I Believed: Reflections of a Former Missionary.  The author is quite gentle and kind to religious people - yet he intelligently skewers apologist claims, and very perceptively writes about why religious people believe.
That sort of book is probably more likely to have an influence on religious people.  They aren't likely to even read the more caustic atheist writings.  So perhaps one could give door-knockers a flyer for the book, detailing some points made in it.
And the book only costs 99 cents on Kindle!  Even impoverished door-knockers can afford that.
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 Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on August 21, 2014 at 7:34am

The question then becomes: would such people (who generally aren't wild for technology) even OWN a Kindle?!?
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 Permalink Reply by Luara on August 21, 2014 at 7:49am

I don't own a Kindle.  Amazon has a free Kindle app that can be downloaded to a laptop.
It's one of the wiles of Amazon, to pull you into their domain in stages.
Hopefully most of the door-knockers have a laptop :)
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 Permalink Reply by Pat on August 21, 2014 at 8:26am

Yes, but are those same tambourine bangers allowed to read anything not sanctioned by their cult?
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 Permalink Reply by Bertold Brautigan on August 21, 2014 at 2:44pm

 Loren - thanks for sharing your fantastic document - very well done. BTW, I have a favorite response to solicitors that I stole from an old college bud years ago: "Sorry folks, but I'm not superstitious."
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 Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on August 21, 2014 at 6:40pm

You're more than welcome, Bertold, and thanks for pointing out the one glitch in it - FIXED!  Thing is, I haven't had any JW visitors since the last encounter in 2012.  Wonder if I scared 'em off!  [grin!]
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 Permalink Reply by John Aultman on August 21, 2014 at 7:57pm

Hey Loren I really like your "Hi I'm and Atheist doc" so I hijacked it.  Hope you don't mind.  Going to send it to a few Christians I know.
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 Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on August 21, 2014 at 8:07pm

Please use it all you want, John.  That's why I put it up here: to be used.  If you get any reactions to it, I'd love to hear 'em!
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 Permalink Reply by John Aultman on August 22, 2014 at 11:54am

I 'll keep you in the loop. Thanks again
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 Permalink Reply by Michael Pianko on August 21, 2014 at 6:13pm
I am a libertarian and I don't believe in mandatory health insurance... I am rather sure that the fact that you don't believe in gods does not make it necessary to be a liberal democrat. Do you have to be so arrogant, antagonistic, holier-than-thou and/or bombastic about your politics?
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Solicitors, go away
Posted by Nick Bottom on August 20, 2014 at 9:41pm in Atheism
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In the past few months, I have been approached not once, not twice, but three times by solicitors who want me to find Jesus through their website. I am deaf, and apparently one of my neighbors alerted this group that there was a deaf man in their neighborhood in need of salvation. This website purports to translate the Bible into American Sign Language, making it accessible for those who are deaf. The first time someone came by, I simply said that the Bible wasn't my thing, and when pressed, I politely told them I wasn't a believer and wished them a good day. I was very polite, but still ticked off. This same group followed up today with a different batch of solicitors, this time three nice ladies, two sisters and their mother. I took their pamphlet and told them I would take a look at it later because I was hungry for dinner and didn't want to chat.

Never mind the fact that I am an atheist. First of all, I have a master's degree and attended UC Berkeley, where I majored in English literature. I also work as an editor, and am more than competent when it comes to reading the English language. I am sick of these solicitors who assume that (a) deaf people cannot read, and (b) I am a Christian or someone who is seeking life's answers and can find them in an old collection of folk tales.

I try to be as polite as possible to these solicitors, but as soon as I say good-bye, I toss their pamphlets into the recycling bin.

Even worse, my massage therapist e-mailed me a link a few days ago to this very same website, saying it was oh so cool that the Bible has been translated into sign language. I considered this guy a good person (and a great masseuse), not the type to go about pushing religion on a client. Make that a former client; I will now look for a new massage therapist.

When these people just won't leave you alone, what do you do? I might expect this type of in-your-face solicitation in the Bible Belt, but I live in California, far from the Bible-thumping crowd.







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 Permalink Reply by k.h. ky on August 22, 2014 at 5:19pm
Good going Dorothy ;) Some people are born with a sense of entitlement and care nothing for the common good. They are usually theists.
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 Permalink Reply by Idaho Spud on August 21, 2014 at 1:06pm

Nick, I understand you not wanting to irritate neighbors.  I go out of my way to do the same.
However, I wouldn't be afraid to argue with religious solicitors even if I suspected they were sent by neighbors.  I would not call them names, or raise my voice to them, but I would, and do, point-out why their beliefs go against reality.
To the first jehovah's witnesses that came by after I became atheist, I told them I was an atheist that accepted science instead of faith, but that didn't deter them.  My response to the second group was "I was brainwashed into religion as a child, when I couldn't think for myself, but I finally broke-out of that indoctrination and I hope you can too."  That still didn't deter them and they ask if I had read the bible, and wanted to show me verses that indicated they were compatible with science.  I then started to tell them some of the many things wrong with the bible until they gave-up and left.
If they come by again and ask me if I've read the bible, I intend on saying "Of course.  That's one reason I'm an atheist.  Have you read Richard Dawkins The God Delusion, and his, or any renowned evolution scientist's book on evolution?"
If they still want to talk, I'll just repeat my hope that they can break-out of their brainwashing, but that I can't waste anymore of my time trying to convince them.
If one of my neighbors want's to talk to me directly, I'll be a little easier on them than on solicitors, but will still tell them what I think.
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 Permalink Reply by Idaho Spud on August 21, 2014 at 1:14pm

Sorry to hear about your massage therapist.  My nice doctor kept trying to convert me, but I quit him and finally found one that's probably agnostic or atheist.  Yea!
Glad to hear you're doing the same.
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 Permalink Reply by sflmac on August 21, 2014 at 2:59pm

I had the same problem. Someone leaked to church groups I am a deaf guy in south Florida, where I lived before I purchased a house and moved out  last spring. I think solicitors target deaf people for advantage   I am not stupid, but had to deal with solicitors especially Jehovah's Witnesses people came to my doors. My solution,  I had two large windows on front house. I can see who's who come.  When I saw JW people walked toward to my door. I immediately stripped my clothes off  and naked. I answered the door with my naked body . They got the message and never return again. It works! Now I have a new home where no solicitors are allowed in my area. 
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 Permalink Reply by Grinning Cat on August 21, 2014 at 3:49pm

That reminded me of Dr. Kellie's welcome to missionaries, which she described at "what boobs are good for". (Great comments there.)
"They stopped dead in their tracks and looked down, then slowly turned and walked away.  I can only assume this is because I was not wearing a shirt, or a bra.  Perhaps from this point on I will be answering the door shirtless.  Should give the Mormon boys something to talk about."
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 Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on August 21, 2014 at 7:04pm

The chutzpah comes with time, Nick, presuming that's the direction you want to go in.  I suspect that the more you own your atheism, the easier slipping a zinger in will be!
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 Permalink Reply by Luara on August 21, 2014 at 7:17pm

 I am not the only deaf guy here.
But Nick Bottom has giant ears!
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 Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on August 21, 2014 at 8:08pm

Are you trying to put something Oberon us?  [grin!]
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 Permalink Reply by Freethinker31 on August 21, 2014 at 4:21pm

I don't know what the fuss is all about....I just  say  politely  that I am not interested and close the door before they can answer....They  usually leave  a pamphlet which  I promptly discard...Can you imagine how many  trees we lose, for use in those  ridiculous  pamphlets, what  a waste .......
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 Permalink Reply by Idaho Spud on August 21, 2014 at 4:30pm

I used to not answer the door, but now I feel like I want to give them something to think about, without wasting too much of my time.  After all, I was once in their position, and would have appreciated someone saying something that made me see the light much sooner than I did.
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 Permalink Reply by Luara on August 22, 2014 at 4:14am

would have appreciated someone saying something that made me see the light much sooner than I did.
What's the best quick thing that someone could have said?
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 Permalink Reply by Idaho Spud on August 22, 2014 at 11:04am

Because I've always loved science (except those parts that disagreed with mormonism), it would have made me think if someone had explained some of the ways they knew what happened millions and billions of years ago to life and the earth, and pointed-out that there was mountains of evidence to support those theories.
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Solicitors, go away
Posted by Nick Bottom on August 20, 2014 at 9:41pm in Atheism
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In the past few months, I have been approached not once, not twice, but three times by solicitors who want me to find Jesus through their website. I am deaf, and apparently one of my neighbors alerted this group that there was a deaf man in their neighborhood in need of salvation. This website purports to translate the Bible into American Sign Language, making it accessible for those who are deaf. The first time someone came by, I simply said that the Bible wasn't my thing, and when pressed, I politely told them I wasn't a believer and wished them a good day. I was very polite, but still ticked off. This same group followed up today with a different batch of solicitors, this time three nice ladies, two sisters and their mother. I took their pamphlet and told them I would take a look at it later because I was hungry for dinner and didn't want to chat.

Never mind the fact that I am an atheist. First of all, I have a master's degree and attended UC Berkeley, where I majored in English literature. I also work as an editor, and am more than competent when it comes to reading the English language. I am sick of these solicitors who assume that (a) deaf people cannot read, and (b) I am a Christian or someone who is seeking life's answers and can find them in an old collection of folk tales.

I try to be as polite as possible to these solicitors, but as soon as I say good-bye, I toss their pamphlets into the recycling bin.

Even worse, my massage therapist e-mailed me a link a few days ago to this very same website, saying it was oh so cool that the Bible has been translated into sign language. I considered this guy a good person (and a great masseuse), not the type to go about pushing religion on a client. Make that a former client; I will now look for a new massage therapist.

When these people just won't leave you alone, what do you do? I might expect this type of in-your-face solicitation in the Bible Belt, but I live in California, far from the Bible-thumping crowd.







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 Permalink Reply by Joan Denoo on August 22, 2014 at 1:27pm

Do you really think if a bell ringer had heard, "evolution is a fact, as demonstrated by mountains of evidence to support the theory" you would have heard him/her?
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 Permalink Reply by Idaho Spud on August 22, 2014 at 1:30pm

If they gave some specific facts, I think there would have been a chance.
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 Permalink Reply by Luara on August 22, 2014 at 1:56pm

The message would have to be quick and attention-grabbing.
I have a t-shirt with "We are all Africans" on it, and this image on it:


It shows the human radiation out of Africa.
That might get door-knockers to think.  There are probably many good t-shirts about evolution.
It helps if it's a bit subtle, like the "we are all africans" message.
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 Permalink Reply by k.h. ky on August 22, 2014 at 6:06pm
Whos god should l believe in.
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 Permalink Reply by Pat on August 22, 2014 at 12:29pm

Here's the part about leaving a pamphlet that royally pisses me off. And, I realize this is probably petty on my part, but did I go to their home or their super-duper clubhouse (church) and leave my litter on their property? What the hell makes them think I want to fill my trash can with their garbage? Although, the more I think about, this may not be a bad idea.
The next time they offer to leave a pamphlet, say "Why sure, so long as I can give you something of equal value." Then hand them your bagged up garbage.
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 Permalink Reply by Freethinker31 on August 22, 2014 at 12:57pm

@ Pat......I realize how much it irritates us when  we are confronted  with these proselytizing religious  lunatics.....I do think that treating them  poorly, after  we declare  that we are Atheists, will only make matters  worse....We are better than that.......How about you get pamphlets  supplied  by the American Humanist  Assoc., keep them by your door and then  hand  one  to them  in exchange.....Maybe  they will even read it  and learn  something....Plus it would be  a more  civil  way  to handle  the situation........just saying........
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 Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on August 22, 2014 at 1:04pm

Personally, I don't treat the JWs or anyone else who arrives at my door poorly.  Their beliefs, however, get no such rhythm from me, and if the believers are foolish enough to utterly identify themselves with those beliefs, that's their mistake and not mine.
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 Permalink Reply by Pat on August 22, 2014 at 2:56pm

Sorry, but I guess I'm not as patient or understanding as the rest of you. Some religio-nut-case arrives at my door, uninvited, it is distinctly not appreciated. I certainly don't do that discourtesy nor am that rude to others, and I don't like it being done to me.
Besides, those proselytizers don't give a flying rat's rear end about manners or decent behavior among polite people. They could care less about whether you're put out, offended, or truly interested. They're only interest, if JW's, is who many people they talked to. They believe once everyone on the planet has heard their batshit message, the end times will magically appear. Someone explain to me why I need to play along. Of course, if I should play along, this would be one way to do it.
 
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 Permalink Reply by Freethinker31 on August 22, 2014 at 3:02pm

That was friggin  hilarious  Pat
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 Permalink Reply by Joan Denoo on August 22, 2014 at 1:30pm

I like that option!
One time I told two young Mormon men that I would listen for 20 minutes and then they had to listen to me for 20 minutes. It was a total waste of my time and probably irritated them. It was just after I had finished my master's thesis in which I discovered the family violence rate in religious families is very high, especially in Mormon families, in relation to the general public. 
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 Permalink Reply by Christine on August 21, 2014 at 8:05pm

Nick, you could try handing out the "non-tracts" available cheap from the FFRF. One is called "Dear Believer," with a picture of praying hands on the front. heehee!! I have them at the ready for the next round of JWs.
I love many of the responses offered in this thread. "YES I've read the bible- that's why I'm an atheist." I've been tempted to say, "Yes, and what I can't figure out, is how anybody can remain christian after reading it!"
Also love the suggestion- have YOU read "The God Delusion?" How about "God is Not Great- How Religion Poisons Everything"?
It's great that we have so much information on our side, and that we can hopefully get THEM to start questioning their own robotic approach to life. If we keep our mouths shut, and just flee from their attacks, they won't be forced to think about it.
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 Permalink Reply by Christine on August 21, 2014 at 8:30pm

Oh, re: the trees wasted on the pamphlets, don't throw them away- recycle!
Also, if you're not interested in any more visits from JWs,* the secret word is "apostate." If you say you're an atheist, they're like moths to a flame.
If you say you're an apostate, that means you've already been on board that ship, and have since abandoned it. Been there/done that/need to be stoned to death. That will keep you on their "Do Not Visit" list. So I learned at a recent lecture given by a former elder JW.
* I hate to give out this info, b/c I'd rather see fellow atheists take the time and trouble to debate the JWs in an attempt to save them, literally. Their lives are at stake, as are the lives of their loved ones.
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Solicitors, go away
Posted by Nick Bottom on August 20, 2014 at 9:41pm in Atheism
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In the past few months, I have been approached not once, not twice, but three times by solicitors who want me to find Jesus through their website. I am deaf, and apparently one of my neighbors alerted this group that there was a deaf man in their neighborhood in need of salvation. This website purports to translate the Bible into American Sign Language, making it accessible for those who are deaf. The first time someone came by, I simply said that the Bible wasn't my thing, and when pressed, I politely told them I wasn't a believer and wished them a good day. I was very polite, but still ticked off. This same group followed up today with a different batch of solicitors, this time three nice ladies, two sisters and their mother. I took their pamphlet and told them I would take a look at it later because I was hungry for dinner and didn't want to chat.

Never mind the fact that I am an atheist. First of all, I have a master's degree and attended UC Berkeley, where I majored in English literature. I also work as an editor, and am more than competent when it comes to reading the English language. I am sick of these solicitors who assume that (a) deaf people cannot read, and (b) I am a Christian or someone who is seeking life's answers and can find them in an old collection of folk tales.

I try to be as polite as possible to these solicitors, but as soon as I say good-bye, I toss their pamphlets into the recycling bin.

Even worse, my massage therapist e-mailed me a link a few days ago to this very same website, saying it was oh so cool that the Bible has been translated into sign language. I considered this guy a good person (and a great masseuse), not the type to go about pushing religion on a client. Make that a former client; I will now look for a new massage therapist.

When these people just won't leave you alone, what do you do? I might expect this type of in-your-face solicitation in the Bible Belt, but I live in California, far from the Bible-thumping crowd.







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 Permalink Reply by Joan Denoo on August 22, 2014 at 1:33pm

Christine, you are absolutely right! I am not helping people to think using my technique! They just piss me off.
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 Permalink Reply by Joan Denoo on August 22, 2014 at 1:23pm

Why be polite to uninvited people intruding on your time? It only makes them think "next time", or "I will persist until ..."
When people come to my door with religious motives, I inform them as clearly and as firmly as I can that I do not welcome their intrusion into my life. I tell them I resent having to stop what I am doing to answer their door bell ring, and I am an atheist and know just what kind of intelligence it takes to believe such nonsense.
Rude? Yes! Clear? Absolutely! Unambiguous? Of course! They don't have to wonder how I feel or what I think. The last time an uninvited religious door beller came to my door they responded that they would make a note of my reaction. I thanked them.
Let us imagine, just for the sake of those who are 99.9999% sure there is no god, that if god should make his/her/its presence known, I will be the first to change my mind. Until then, I am 100% sure there are no superhuman agents, no ghosts, no spirits, no angels.
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 Permalink Reply by Idaho Spud on August 22, 2014 at 1:36pm

I'm working up to your clarity of response Joan.  Every time they come, I listen to them less, and state my view more pointedly.  The last time, I did not listen to more than two sentences from them. 
I agree that politeness just encourages more intrusion by most of them.  Especially Jehovah's witnesses.
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 Permalink Reply by ShroudedAtheist on August 22, 2014 at 2:29pm

I had a similar problem--local church sent around proselytizers and I politely told them no thanks, I'm an atheist.  They came around the following week.  I was less polite, but much firmer and told them to not bother me again.  Following week?  Yup, back again, this time with the preacher in tow.  This time my response had no politeness what-so-ever and I asked him how he'd think the news media would handle a tip about a local woman getting a No Contact Order against his church and him specifically for harassment. They didn't come back.  :)
If they keep coming back, try for less polite; it might get the message across better.  Or a particularly rude sign for your door.  I made one that said, "No soliciting, religious or otherwise.  Violators are subject to mocking and the flinging of herring.  Violators are subject to having particularly unflattering photos taken of them and then having them posted to a website entitled, "Illiterate Gits on my Doorstep"."  Most people read it and go away.  :D
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 Permalink Reply by Idaho Spud on August 22, 2014 at 2:41pm

"mocking and the flinging of herring" "illiterate Gits on my Doorstep"  Thanks for the laugh Shrouded.
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 Permalink Reply by ShroudedAtheist on August 22, 2014 at 3:25pm

*curtsies*  I live to serve.  :)
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 Permalink Reply by Freethinker31 on August 22, 2014 at 3:08pm

Wow,   I have never  had that problem  in Northern Va...I just  say  `Not Interested'  and they leave...If  they were  as persistent as they are  in your area, I suppose  I would change my tone...So far so good though...
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 Permalink Reply by k.h. ky on August 22, 2014 at 5:16pm
I just say no thanks. I'm an atheist. I think it stuns them into silence. I'm certain, here in the bible belt, it's something they have never heard before.
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 Permalink Reply by Freethinker31 on August 22, 2014 at 5:20pm

@k.h.....I just hope  they don't  egg your house......They don't take kindly to `heathens' like us in the Bible Belt...
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 Permalink Reply by k.h. ky on August 22, 2014 at 6:04pm
I have some really, really, big dogs. And a couple of really big guns if the dogs don't work. Lol
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 Permalink Reply by Pat on August 22, 2014 at 6:26pm

k.h., glad to see that I'm not the only armed atheist!
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 Permalink Reply by k.h. ky on August 22, 2014 at 6:56pm
Hey Pat we gotta do what we gotta do. I'm not fool enough to go around in public armed. But when it comes to my safety and security well ...
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Solicitors, go away
Posted by Nick Bottom on August 20, 2014 at 9:41pm in Atheism
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In the past few months, I have been approached not once, not twice, but three times by solicitors who want me to find Jesus through their website. I am deaf, and apparently one of my neighbors alerted this group that there was a deaf man in their neighborhood in need of salvation. This website purports to translate the Bible into American Sign Language, making it accessible for those who are deaf. The first time someone came by, I simply said that the Bible wasn't my thing, and when pressed, I politely told them I wasn't a believer and wished them a good day. I was very polite, but still ticked off. This same group followed up today with a different batch of solicitors, this time three nice ladies, two sisters and their mother. I took their pamphlet and told them I would take a look at it later because I was hungry for dinner and didn't want to chat.

Never mind the fact that I am an atheist. First of all, I have a master's degree and attended UC Berkeley, where I majored in English literature. I also work as an editor, and am more than competent when it comes to reading the English language. I am sick of these solicitors who assume that (a) deaf people cannot read, and (b) I am a Christian or someone who is seeking life's answers and can find them in an old collection of folk tales.

I try to be as polite as possible to these solicitors, but as soon as I say good-bye, I toss their pamphlets into the recycling bin.

Even worse, my massage therapist e-mailed me a link a few days ago to this very same website, saying it was oh so cool that the Bible has been translated into sign language. I considered this guy a good person (and a great masseuse), not the type to go about pushing religion on a client. Make that a former client; I will now look for a new massage therapist.

When these people just won't leave you alone, what do you do? I might expect this type of in-your-face solicitation in the Bible Belt, but I live in California, far from the Bible-thumping crowd.







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 Permalink Reply by ShroudedAtheist on August 22, 2014 at 7:19pm

My Mom used a variation of this.  If someone she didn't know knocked on the door, she always answered it with a 8" chef's knife in her hand.  Sometimes, she'd even been cooking at the time.  :)
Most of the time we had dogs that kept solicitors away.  I remember thinking unkind thoughts about the JW's when I wound up picking up eleventy billion pamphlets that got flung when our German Shepherd hit the window next to the door.  All you could see were teeth and eyeballs--she looked like something out of Cujo.  Pamphlets were flung willy-nilly and the JW's were down the driveway like a shot.  Ah, well.  They made good fire starters come winter time.
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 Permalink Reply by Idaho Spud on August 23, 2014 at 8:36am

That's so funny Shrouded!  A good reason to have a dog that I hadn't thought of.
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 Permalink Reply by Larry Taylor on August 22, 2014 at 10:19pm
OK Nick, my apologies beforehand if my story offends you. And it has nothing to do with the point of your post. I just couldn't help but get a chuckle from your comment, "deaf people cannot read."
 I used to be the driver for a blind couple who are fantastic musicians and very well educated to boot, Bill and Bonnie Hearne. I drove them all over most of New Mexico. People could tell they were blind, but when some of those people would speak to them they would shout to them as though they were deaf. Sometimes people would ask Bill how long he had been blind and he would answer, "most of my life, but I wasn't deaf until you started screaming at me." I would laugh so hard back then, and thinking about it now makes me laugh.
 Nice to meet you Nick, and best of luck with your unwanted visitors!
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 Permalink Reply by Freethinker31 on August 22, 2014 at 11:45pm

@Larry.. a very funny story...It just shows  how so many  people have no idea how to relate to most people with any disability.....In my job, as a Pharmacist,  I had several couples  who were deaf,who were  very intelligent  and had  very good jobs...It is amazing  how astute  they were  in lip reading, sometimes  though,  we would communicate with  note writing....They refused  to be treated  special and got around  quite well..I was always  impressed  how fast  they could talk in sign language. when  another deaf person  would  be there....Anyone  with  a disability  is truly  remarkable by compensating  in other ways and to them it is  quite normal.....It shows  the beauty of Human spirit when dealt a difficult hand...
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 Permalink Reply by Frank Gibson on October 3, 2014 at 10:04pm
I live in Louisiana and if I have time I strip down to my underwear.
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 Permalink Reply by Michael Penn on October 4, 2014 at 11:28am

That's a strange predicament and the others here are offering good advice. Apparently these people bothering you do not understand what deaf means. You could in desperation just go viral on them, Nick.
"I'm deaf, goddammit! That doesn't mean that I can't read just like any other normal person" I had a mostly deaf girlfriend one time and she got along just fine. She read lips. Others did not know of her being deaf unless she told them. Some were surprised.
Leave it to religion to get "deaf, dumb, and blind" confused. Oh, wait. That was the "Pinball Wizard." He could beat them all.
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