AITAH for filing restraining orders on a pair of missionaries?

Imagine firing up the grill for a lively BBQ with friends, only to find uninvited missionaries weaving through your guests, preaching like it’s their personal pulpit. For one woman, this was the final straw after two months of weekly visits from teenage LDS missionaries, despite her clear pleas to stop. Now, facing a restraining order hearing and a barrage of guilt from family and church members, she’s questioning if she’s gone too far. Was her legal stand a bold defense of her peace, or an overreaction to zealous teens?

This Reddit saga sizzles with the clash of personal boundaries and religious persistence. The OP’s fight to reclaim her home from unwelcome visitors, even as her LDS roots tug at her conscience, has sparked a fiery debate about harassment and accountability. It’s a story of standing firm in a storm of dogma and drama.

‘AITAH for filing restraining orders on a pair of missionaries?’

When “no” becomes background noise, persistence turns into harassment. The OP’s ordeal—weekly unwanted visits culminating in a BBQ invasion—wasn’t just a nuisance; it was a deliberate disregard for her autonomy. The missionaries’ youth doesn’t excuse their actions, especially when backed by family members who likely encouraged the behavior. The church’s “heart attacking” and social media attacks only escalate the pressure, revealing a pattern of manipulation.

Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a psychologist specializing in boundary violations, writes in Psychology Today, “Repeated boundary breaches signal a lack of respect, often rooted in control.” A 2023 study in the Journal of Social Psychology found that 68% of individuals facing persistent harassment report increased stress when community pressure accompanies it, as in the OP’s case. The missionaries’ BBQ stunt, impacting her coworker’s perception, risked her professional relationships.

Dr. Durvasula advises, “Legal action can be a last resort to enforce boundaries.” The OP’s restraining order filing is justified, supported by Ring footage documenting her requests. She could strengthen her case by presenting evidence of the church’s subsequent harassment, like the “heart attacking.” Going low-contact with her LDS family, as she plans, and using resources like QuitMormon.com, as Reddit suggested, could sever ties to the church’s influence. Her stand is a reclaiming of her space, not an overreaction.

Here’s the comments of Reddit users:

Reddit roared in like a backyard posse, dishing out support with a side of shade. They cheered the OP’s resolve, slamming the missionaries’ audacity and the church’s love-bombing tactics. From legal tips to quips about “religious nuts,” the comments were a spicy blend of encouragement and outrage. Here’s the unfiltered Reddit buzz:

These Redditors didn’t hold back, rallying for the OP while scorching the missionaries’ nerve. But do their fiery takes capture the full heat of this boundary battle, or are they just fanning the flames?

The OP’s restraining order isn’t about punishing teens—it’s about protecting her home and peace from relentless overreach. The missionaries’ disregard, amplified by her family’s guilt trips, turned a BBQ into a battleground for autonomy. This saga reminds us that boundaries are non-negotiable, even when faith and family push back. Have you ever had to take a stand against unwanted intrusions? Share your story—let’s keep the convo sizzling!