Hi, folks,

I read all the posts up to last night & I feel the need to add my thoughts. I think I'll just put 'em down, rather than trying to get fancy.

It is a basic tenet of some faiths that they are the only true way. If the adherents believe that, they have a responsibility to try to share that faith. Their goal is only to help & I don't think we should fault them for that. Refraining from answering the door or a simple "I'm not interested" would suffice.

Here at Mudcat, we are posting to a broad group. I was criticized once in the past for thinking before I post, but I will stand by the practice. I think it speaks more of consideration than dishonesty. It is possible to express a view without belittling or attacking. We wouldn't deliberately hurt Joe or Art, but we are less considerate of those we don't know personally. In a community as large as ours, we are bound to have Jehovah's Witnesses or, at least, Mormons, as Jon reminded us. Why step on toes, when there are so many other things we can discuss?

Many call themselves broadminded, but it might be appropriate to consider whether they are only broadminded toward those whose beliefs/practices are similar to their own?

I usually don't open my door to anyone I don't know, for fear of violence. I've been known to screen phone calls or to be short or even rude to telemarketers, due to a hectic schedule & a disinclination to commit to any transaction over the phone. Lately, though, after a 2-year bout of unemployment, it has occurred to me that most folks probably don't choose telemarketing as a vocation. They are just folks who need to make a living, like the rest of us, & probably deserve the same common courtesy that we'd want in their place.

Guess I can climb off my soapbox now.

bbc