[thunderbear]

So at the moment my "friends" on facebook are attacking me. Why? Because I am very good friends with a lesbein and 2 gays. They tell me that I don't believe in my religion because I am a "f-g lover" oh and also a "n---er lover" because I voted for Obama. Said I don't deserve to be an Americain because I am tolerant of Muslims. I have deleted these people 2 of which are my family. I'm sick of this

[Melbadaze]

All sounds very immature to me, I guess you would have some idea of the kind of personality these family members had before it got to this?

[(JD)]

I support you in your right to choose your friends, and your POVs...it's part of becoming a mature adult. Now, to work on your not being able to "stand ignorance" could be a new project. What part of their opinions do you think is changing how you believe? I suspect none, or I would hope so (it's not like you hold a certain opinion just to spite them, right?)

Let them go their way with their opinions. Their opinion of you is none of your business.

[thunderbear]

Melbadaze: Yes it is immature. The family members knew how I felt for years: One Christmas my uncle on my moms side verbally attacked 2 uncles on my dads side one is gay and the other, my great-uncle, is black. It embarrassed the hell out of me so I defended my dads side.

[Fresia]

Knowing most religions, most (especially true Christianity) do teach respect of others and is not a matter of going against it by being friends with others. As mentioned above, it is very mature of you to make these decisions for yourself in how we want to treat ourselves and others. We fortunately can pick our friends but not our blood family, whom we do not always agree with. Toleration and acceptance are important but are not always found. I commend you if you are making these decisions not just to spite them as JD says but out of care for your friends and discerning interest in the political views. In this case, you should feel good and will have better, stronger relationships in the long run.

I just read your next post. Fear comes in the form of hate and is vicious. It is all hate really is. I pity those that do. Keep this in mind when they say these things. It is important to educate to fight it but even then, sometimes this is impossible to do. It sounds as though this is an uphill battle. You can hold your own but know not everyone is willing to change because of their fears. It is much easier for them to continue to do what they are doing than to change.

[thunderbear]

Originally Posted by (JD)

I support you in your right to choose your friends, and your POVs...it's part of becoming a mature adult. Now, to work on your not being able to "stand ignorance" could be a new project. What part of their opinions do you think is changing how you believe? I suspect none, or I would hope so (it's not like you hold a certain opinion just to spite them, right?)

Let them go their way with their opinions. Their opinion of you is none of your business.

It would'nt be so bad if they had'nt been so mean about it. Saying I'm going to hell and all that kinda crap.

[madisgram]

Originally Posted by thunderbear

It would'nt be so bad if they had'nt been so mean about it. Saying I'm going to hell and all that kinda crap.

well who died and made them God?

[(JD)]

IMO that's a dead giveaway to whether someone cares for you or not. Bullies have the knack for saying exactly what pushes your buttons, our buttons, anyone's buttons you know?

I know we all probably know the chant sticks and stones... well words can and do hurt, but only to the extent that we allow it. Generally it's the feelings that go with the words--the feelings WE generate in response--that get to us. We may feel disappointment that they snowed us in thinking they were our friends, or that maybe they were in the first, but because of something we did they turned on us (which, of course is not possible with a real friend.)

"What can separate us from the love of God?..." I'm sure bullies are listed as something that cannot.

[KathyM]

((Thunderbear))

Heavens to Betsy! Shame on you for loving your neighbors - you HEATHEN, you.

I've been called a "N-lover" on a regular basis since 1978 - by strangers, friends, and distant family members. It wears on the soul. I've had my life threatened, and even my afterlife threatened (threatening to desecrate my grave after I die).

I know how much it hurts. I'm sorry you're being attacked - it really hurts when it comes from so-called "friends" and family.

[lonegael]

Thunderbear, there are somepeople who just seem to live to create prejudice. They seem to suck new ones out of the air as soon as old ones get uninteresting. There was one kid at school who had an ethnic slur for every nation that walked the planet, I kid you not. They seem to think it gives them energy. I'm so sorry that the ones who are involved were family. That really hurts. My mom has gotten really bad over the yeras, as she has felt more vulnerable. I have had to tell her to knock it off around my kids lately and make a concious effort to not talk about the international situation, etc. The lady projects in a way that makes Dolly Parton look flat. I lately had to remind her that the same stuff she was saying about recent immigrants was exactly the same that people were saying about the Irish not so long ago. I was not too popular for a bit in the kitchen

In the end, I don't expect to change such folks. It just gets to the point of how long my self respect can put up with them. some calm down when they realize they don't get a rise, others just keep spewing. Them, I try my best to avoid, or other wise remove from my vicinityOr me from theirs. HUGGGGSSSSS. Sometimes you got to pick your fights, dear.

((((((thunderbear)))))) i hear ya girl. i'm in a similar boat but a different issue. people of our faith need to learn to think with a bit of nuance. i find it discouraging to see such ignorance and legalism. disagreeing is fine but they need to learn to do it without being so disagreeable. "forgive them for they know not what they do..."

[Rhiannonsmoon]

Hello Thunderbear,

Don't let them climb over and smother you with their toxicity and tell them outright that you as many others do, fight for their right to their freedom, and stand by your right to your own freedom of choice.

You're much better off with open minded people. Places like fb are a haven for some people who want to attack others because of the relative anonymity and distance to the people they bully. Be true to yourself