My Fundie sister won't return my calls

[Pithy]

We are extremely close. She lives about 2 hours away, and we normally email and/or talk every day. The only area in which we really disagree is politics. She is married to a man who, while otherwise pleasant and likeable, believes George W. Bush is a man of God. *snicker* Anyhoo, we came to harsh words over the 2004 election and both agreed to never talk politics again.

This year, she kept sending me hateful FAUX-type emails, with every fear-mongering smear you could think of. I just deleted and moved on. I've come to the conclusion with my Fundie family members that you can't fix stupid. They aren't interested in the facts. All she can offer is that Obama 'scares' her. She doesn't know where McCain's stands on the issues are and doesn't care. All she knows is that Obama is 'scary.' I finally asked her to send me FACTS or nothing. She finally stopped the barrage.

She mentioned that last time we talked, about 5 days ago, that she has been depressed about the election and even said she has to admit it looks like Obama will win. She hasn't returned any phone calls or emails I've sent her way since then - all non-political, I might add. I guess she's hiding. I'm hoping she, and many other intellectually incurious Republicans, just keep hiding and decide not to vote, thinking it won't matter anyway. Perhaps that's one way we'll see them react - silent and solitary sulking.

[Sedona]

1. "incurious Republicans, just keep hiding and decide not to vote"

from your lips to God's ears!

[Spock_is_Skeptical]

2. if only all of them would just stay home

[undeterred]

3. I know a couple people like that too.

People need to deal with themselves and their own emotions. Its really emotions (fear) that are getting in the way, not reason.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

4. You should have replied the first e-mail with

"Remember the deal? NO POLITICS."

[codjh9]

5. You're better than me - there's no way I can be 'extremely close' to a fundie, and my BROTHER is one

[dhpgetsit]

6. It's not fun

It's not fun to get really emotionally invested in an election and end up on the losing side.

But it's worse when you find out that you should have been on the winning side.

[VespertineIconoclast]

7. I'm sure your sister will come out of hiding and get back in contact with you.

Politics, especially in these times, are such a sticky topic for people. I'm glad that you two did not have a complete falling-out during the 2004 election and I'm pretty sure that once your sister "licks her wounds" she'll communicate with you again.

[cherokeeprogressive]

8. Send her an email that says "I Love You No Matter What." in the subject and leave the body blank.

[SmileyRose]

26. I agree - if my world was crashing I'd want to know I was loved

even if the world isn't really crashing and I'm just being a jackass, I still want to know my family loves me no matter what.

[Canuckistanian]

9. In all fairness, SHE broke your agreement

She agreed to never talk politics again, yet she sent you a series of VERY political emails.

Remind her of that if she ever accuses you of using politics to alienate her.

[BanzaiBonnie]

10. I'm sorry this is taking such a toll

I hope your sister will eventually see that everything is/will be okay. Even better than okay. But mostly I hope she'll be talking to you sooner than that.

[patrice]

11. I was listening to Ron Reagan interview George Lakoff recently on AAR. GL may have

some pointers for you for how to talk to her without making things worse:

http://books.google.com/books?as_auth=George+Lakoff&source=an&sa=X&oi=book_group&resnum=4&ct=title&cad=author-navigational

[Dukkha]

12. she broke the agreement by sending hate propaganda

it's an indisputable fact that the right believes free speech only belongs to them. I have no moral dilemma breaking family ties. Life is too short to endure mental anguish just because someone shares a last name. i'll be spending the holidays along this year with just my wife and a clear conscience.

[SammyWinstonJack]

13. I am beginning to think that Obama is "scary" is code for " I won't vote for a black man"

x(

[Pithy]

17. I think you're right - black = scary is the thing many cannot face within themselves

It's sad. She's smart. She's a doctor. We actually are very close. We're both Christian - I just believe in a more private, hanging-out-in-nature kind of Christianity. She's not really severely Fundy - just near her in-laws, who are nice yet completely brainwashed by the right wing propaganda machine. Prior to her marriage, she was pretty much politically neutral.

I will confess that after she opened the door with the political emails, I played the "I don't care for either candidate" card and let her blather away. Then the next time we talked and she brought it up, i.e. "Obama's a Muslim", I'd say, "That's funny - after you said that, I did some research and he actually belongs to a Baptist church." Each loony smear she presented to be 'scared of', I'd respond, 'Oooh, that is scary!' and then the next time we talked, I'd share the actual facts with her.

I did ask her if it's the race issue she's afraid of, which she vehemently denied until a few minutes later she made a comment about how 'militant' Michelle Obama is, which cracked me up. Busted!

Overall, I think she's not interested enough in learning for herself what her personal beliefs are and finds it easier to go along and get along with her current peers and swallow what FAUX news says, undigested. It's one of the saddest things for me to see, and a big reason why I quit trying to convince her after the last election. Facts mean nothing. What FAUX and NewsMax say, even when their rhetoric is ludicrous, are all she can consider. She considers CNN the 'liberal media.' ROFLMAO!!

Perhaps one day she will grow up (she's 36) and think for herself. I sure hope so.

[Fuzz]

14. Mine hasn't for years. Never calls me either.

I'm an atheist and she read a book and is afraid because she 'read about what we believe'. The book was from the Assemblies of God and it was supposed to help her teach a Sunday School class.


Edit:

I've even called to buy a few cars from her and her husband, (they own a couple dealerships).

[Wiley50]

15. Lucky You

I had to decide for myself that I shouldn't speak with the Fundies and other fools in my family

until after Obama wins

[mitchtv]

16. She'll contact you and act like nothing's happened

Kind of like alcoholics the "next day". I have a wing nut brother who keeps saying Obama is a black Muslim.MY SISTER IS AS BAD, SENDING NASTY EMAILS AS "JOKE". Luckily we all went to Catholic school , and were cured of religiousity. They are hard enough to tolerate without them thinking I need to be cured

[WVRICK13]

18. First Cousin Republican

I used to be very close to a Republican first cousin. I have asked her to never discuss politics with me and she agreed. Last month she called and kept talking politics. My only comment after each statement was I am not discussing politics. When she kept insisting I told her I had to go. She continued and I told her she obviously was too ignorant to have any respect and to take me off the family list. I do not have to be around ignorant people, except at work and I will not allow them to enter my personal space, even f they are relatives. You can pick your friends and your family.

[TexasObserver]

19. As the inevitable approaches, the Obama haters are becoming more angry.

It's fair to say they're seething.

I've noticed that the last few days, friends and family whom I've warned about sending me anti Obama stuff in the past are nevertheless sending a few last rounds of bile.

I'm unloading big time now, where I held back in the past. I tell them McCain was a lousy pilot who crashed five planes, a guy that other POWs did not respect, a rich boy who has never had to meet a budget in his life, an adulterer who left the mother of his children for a rich child bride.

When the dust settles, I'm giving all the perps one last admonition not to send me any more anti Obama stuff, and the violators will be blocked from sending me emails. I've already blocked an uncle who lives in Phoenix and will not shut the fuck up about every internet lie told about Obama.

The real racist voters out there are showing their true colors, and as the inevitable approaches, they become more bold in showing their disdain to those who support Obama.

[Pithy]

20. I never realized

how many bigoted people I know. It's pathetic.

That having been said, I refuse to let it dampen my joy today. GObama!

[BeliQueen]

21. I'm sorry to hear that.

I hope your sister is feeling better soon, and that your relationship is restored. I know if the polls were reversed, I would feel as anxious as she does.

It is my sincere prayer that we all find peace with the decisions being made today. And that that peace leads to a spirit of cooperation.

[rucky]

22. Send her this link:

www.matthew25.org

[OneGrassRoot]

23. I haven't received a response to my last email from right-wing relatives...

I know they're in a deep state of depression. Seriously.

I have no compassion whatsoever, but I won't rub it in their faces. I'm still hoping they will wake up, and I want to be there to help show them the way when they do. :)

[B Calm]

24. They are hiding in fear of the gangs of happily married homosexuals

out to gang rape them. . .

[RebelOne]

25. My long-time Republic sister and brother-in-law

will be voting for Obama. Last election they voted for Bush because they said they always voted Republican. Well, I'm glad she has finally seen the light.