Proselytizing

[PirateJohn]

Don't you just hate guests who try distributing their religious literature while in the park? Argh! I had one guy press some tract into my hand coming off my boat today. Now I'm left with his litter to take care of.

[CBeilby]

If they do this, refuse to take it, and inform them that if they continue you will call security. I'm reasonably certain that this is against park policies.

[goose]

Hate them? No, not at all.

I see it completely different.

I've only been handed things a couple of times. Each time I took it and said thank you. If they're harrassing you that's one thing, but if they just want to hand you something I don't see what the big deal is.

I also think that many of those people (that hand out tracks) are very nice, kind people. They believe strongly in something and they want to share it with you. Why? Because they care. They think what they have can help you. If you are interested you can read it and consider it. If not, you can throw it away after they leave. No harm done.

This is just my opinion. I've come across people that say they "hate those people." I just don't understand that mentality. If the person is harrassing you or being obnoxious that is one thing, but if they just want to give you something, what's the big deal? You don't have to keep it.

As for Disney policy, I don't know what it is. I'm guessing that Disney could tell them to stop and if that is their policy I wouldn't disagree with it. I'm more concerned with the way people are so easily angered by them.

I don't want to get into a religious discussion. I just wanted to share my view. I hope that cast members, or anyone handed a tract, are polite to people that are polite to them.

[saidthekat]

there's a third shift maintenance (i'm assuming) CM who occasionaly will leave tracts on the consoles of attractions in fantasyland.

[BirdMom]

so goose, would you have the same point of view if someone who was say a Raelian (however they spell it), or someone promoting a philosophy that you didn't agree with was handing you information on their religion/point of view? I'm just curious.

Because I don't consider it being "helpful" when someone gives me information I didn't solicit or want in the first place. I don't necessarilly consider them kind - I consider them busy bodies who need to mind their own business and stay out of mine. I always used to have people come up and try to proselytize me at school when I'd be trying to sit someplace quiet and study, and I simply don't want to hear it.

I would much rather be inspired by someone who lives their life in such a manner that expresses their belief system, rather than having them hand me a brochure or give me a talking to. The proselytizing implies that there is something wrong with you, that you're not up to snuff somehow because your brand of religion isn't the same as the person trying to advise you.

I hear some people say that Catholics, Lutherans, Jews and frankly, the whole world that isn't born again is going to burn in hell and I find that highly annoying. These people who claim to be such good Christians sure find it easy to forget A) the golden rule and B) judge not lest ye be judged. Sorry, but the biggest hypocrites I ever met in my life were an ex-boyfriend and my ex-husband --- both born again, and they were both liars and cheaters who made a big show out of going to church every Sunday, regular Bible study, hanging out with church groups and so on. And don't get me started on all the problem Catholic priests.

Religion is a man made thing, therefore, we could have it all wrong, so those people who are leaving tracts could be doing more harm than good as far as I'm concerned. Do they have the right to do what they're doing? I'm not sure, since the park is private property. I believe the company reserves the right to bar people from handing out material on any and every subject. And that's just *my* point of view.

[PirateJohn]

goose,

Well, here is why it greatly upsets me.

-- First of all, I find it very disrespectful for someone to claim that they have all the answers to my life. It is also disrespectful for them to tell me that my beliefs, or lack thereof, are wrong. Especially when they don't bother actually to hear what those might be.

-- Regardless of what religion you are, you can't say with 100% certainty that you know that god/goddess exists or doesn't exist. You may say you know it for a fact, but you really don't. You just believe it strongly. Therefore, to distribute literature of this sort is tantamount to saying you have perfect knowledge, which you don't.

-- I don't want to be left holding someone else's litter.

[Mommytomjm]

Ya know, I am a Christian (and a fairly conservative one at that) but people who push Christianity on others really annoy me. It is because of pushy people that I get judged unfairly.....If someone asks, it is ok to share, but if they don't, PLEASE leave them alone!

[TGSal]

I agree with Mommy and BirdMom ... Your beliefs are just that - YOURS. I am quite happy with mine and don't push them on others and ask for that same consideration in return. I think the handing out of any type of literature at a theme park is inappropriate (other than the stuff ABOUT that park of course) and mostly just creates more litter. CMs don't have any place to put the stuff, and guests don't necessarily want to take the time to find a trash can (since there are so FEW at DL) so if they toss it on the ground, they think it's no biggie. What if it was a pamphlet on birth control or something else controversial?????

[Morticia]

My problem is with the pamphlets themselves. Does Disneyland have paper recycling or do those wasted (yes I know that's a judgement word, but if the things are only created to be thrown out unread, they're wasted) trees end up in landfill somewhere? I never take pamphlets because *my* belief is that then I'm responsible for the fate of the paper, and I don't want to have to cart this stuff all over the place until I find a paper recycling bin.

I don't hate pamphleteers, but I wish they'd show more respect for the environment.

[goose]

Like I said, I didn't want to get into a religious debate. But I can see we are headed there.

If someone handed me something I didn't agree with I wouldn't get upset. If a Morman or a Jehovah's Witness came by my cart and handed me something I would take it and say thank you or I might say no thank you. I'm not certain. I sure as hell wouldn't get my panties in a twist about it. It's their religious belief. I don't have to agree with it. That's part of the great thing about America. People have the right to express their religious beliefs and others have the right to disagree with them.

And like I said, if that's Disney's policy to stop that practice, that's fine with me. I'm pretty sure Disneyland doesn't like any group, whether religous or not handing out materials, if they are not park related.

I just really don't understand people that get so upset with someone handing them something. Why do you let it ruin your day? I can totally understand getting angered by a pushy person. But I don't understand getting so worked up by someone simply handing you a tiny pamphlet.

We all have different religious beliefs. We don't all agree. That's part of life.

Pirate John: I agree. All religious beliefs are based on faith.

Bottom line: I can't fathom actually hating someone just because they hand me something about their religious belief. I reserve my hate for people that actually deserve it. Like terrorists and child molestors.