Hello, I’m new here at CC and I made an account to ask for advice. I’m a freshman at a large state school. Over the past month at my new school, I’ve been really annoyed at a certain religious organization at my school that will not take “no” for an answer. For safety reasons, I will not mention the name of this organization in this post.
I was bothered by members of this organization on two occasions. Both occasions were similar, except with different people: Woman approaches me and ask a fairly innocent question (ex. “excuse me, do you know what time it is?”). Begins to ask me to join their bible study session. I say no, numerous times. Keeps pestering me to join. I say “no, I’m not interested” and walk away. Asks for contact information so I can “give it a try” and starts to follow me. The first time, I gave her my email address to make her go away. The second time, I threatened to call the campus police and the woman spat at me and told me I would go to hell.
After looking up this organization online, they seem very authoritarian. Extensive psychological abuse, encouraging members to cut off ties with family/friends and to dedicate all their time to the church, having members go recruit overseas at other college campuses, etc. This organization is actually banned at several universities in another country for harassing students. I read many stories online from ex-members, parents of current members, and newspaper articles so I believe that I am just in saying that this organization is very troubling. Seems like public universities in the US are powerless in dealing with these groups.
I’ve never dealt with a group like this before, so I don’t know how one would normally react when bothered by a group that will not take no for an answer.
I realize this is something I cannot do much about; they are here to stay. I have to learn to deal with them. I hope I won’t see them again, but I don’t count on it. What would you do if a religious organization was trying to recruit you and wouldn’t leave you alone? Do they eventually back off once they realize that most of the freshman are no longer confused and vulnerable? Any general advice would be appreciated. Walking away and ignoring them doesn’t seem to work. I just want to know how to avoid them and keep them off my back.
Talk to your campus chaplain. Immediately. Your campus can’t kick them off, but the chaplain can have a “little talk” with these people. PM me if you want - my son got involved with them a couple of years ago.
I’d first, tell them you will report them to the campus police if they continue to harass you. If they do continue to bother you then go ahead and report them not only to the campus police but to the Student Life office as well.
I never engage with people like that. The second it becomes clear what they want, I say, “No, thanks,” and walk away. I break eye contact, don’t stop, and won’t engage again.
Or you can ask them rational, well-reasoned questions about their magical beliefs. They really try to avoid science and reason like the Black Plague. They won’t bother you after that.
You can’t reason with these people. Don’t engage is the best plan. Certainly don’t give them your personal information. I would report the incident of spitting to the campus police. I’m not sure, but that might be considered assault and such a complaint may be enough to get the police to keep them off campus.
Don’t stop or make eye contact. Take out your phone, put it up to your ear, and say loudly, “Those religious people are harassing me again! I’m on the main quad, can you call the campus police for me?”
^^ excellent idea!
whip out your iphone, tell them you are recording their photos AND their harassment of you and watch them run for shelter like rats.
I learned many things in college, including how to avoid people like these fanatics. Give them the time if that is what they are asking for; you don’t know who they are at this point. If they start anything beyond that, it is always not to your benefit. Just break it off quickly, turn and walk away. Don’t threaten and never, ever, ever give them a name, address, email address, or any way of contacting you or otherwise knowing who you are.
If they start to contact you thru your email, change your email address.
This supposed religious person spat on you and told you you were going to hell? Words fail me. I agree that polite ignoring is best. If necessary, ask her name, write it down and then call the campus police.
Or, after trying to ignore them, start filming them with your phone and say something like, "if you keep harassing me this video will go to the police and the public. "
spitting on you is assault. Go to campus police and file a complaint. Likely, they are not a legal on-campus organization. You, nor anyone else, should have to endure that level of engagement. Confront the scare tactics with your iphone ASAP.
I do think the campus chaplain was a good idea. I worked in the interfaith center at college and they were very aware of any cult organizations attempting to infiltrate campus.
Be sure to know whether the “campus safety” department is an actual police department (sometimes it is, sometimes it is not). If you desire to make a police report, be sure to do it with the actual police department that covers the campus.