My feelings have changed for my sisters.

[Comatose Sphagetti]

I have three younger sisters. They are all big trump supporters and this bothers the shit out of me. They've all been very supportive of me in the past... especially when I dealt with untreated alcoholism. For this I will be forever grateful. They would still be there for me today.

I am struggling with my feelings for them. I don't look at them the same way anymore. It's strange... I love them but I don't want to be around them.

But I also know it is an axiom that whenever I am disturbed, there is something wrong with me.

[qanda]

1. What's their reasoning for supporting Trump?

[Comatose Sphagetti]

2. I really don't know.

Anger? Fear?

We haven't talked about it. All I can tell you is they're conservative and religious.

[classykaren]

10. The 2 Corinthians still bother me. The sexual harassment 3 Wives politely ask them why it doesn't .

[qanda]

14. It's probably a religious thing then.

I have some resources from Liberal Christians that you may want to post or share with them (if they're open). Don't give up on them. Be the example that they claim to represent. I've been posting #wordsinred (words Jesus spoke) for my Christian friends who voted for Trump to see. They don't acknowledge them, but that means it's probably getting to them. 😂

[Drahthaardogs]

34. The leader of Christians worldwide had all but called Trump

A fascist.

[qanda]

15. Here are two really good resources

I follow them on Facebook, but here's the links to their blogs

https://rachelheldevans.com/
http://johnpavlovitz.com/

[Bernardo de La Paz]

3. Forgiveness is a great way to personal peace. They don't even have to know.

You forgiving them is for your heart.

They arrived at where they are as tRump supporters by means of forces not entirely under their control. And even if they got there entirely under their own steam, they could be forgiven for making a mistake.

[frankieallen]

36. Forgive them? are you serious? For having a different view or opinion?

How arrogant of you to suggest that.

[bhikkhu]

38. I think for supporting bigotry, misogyny and racism

for starters. For being foolish enough to fall for an obvious con job, etc. Yes, it is a matter of forgiveness, and there is no arrogance whatsoever in recognizing that.

[OhioBlue]

39. The poster was not arrogant at all.

I find it rude of you to make that accusation. It was heartfelt advice about forgiveness. You may not find the need for forgiveness, but many of us do. It isn't just about a different view or opinion. Where were you for the campaign? Did you not see and hear all of the deplorable things tRump said and did? Yes, forgiveness is appropriate for those of us that wish to continue relationships with those that voted for someone so dishonorable and detestable.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

40. If it were only as simple as a "different view or opinion" then forgiveness would not be needed. .nt

[boston bean]

4. This is very similar to my own situation.

I have three sisters.

One older, two younger.

Two youngest voted trump.

My older lesbian/recovering alcoholic big Hillary.

We have a pretty big rift going on. I am not sure it will ever be the same.

[frankieallen]

37. How sad for you

[Kath2]

5. Keep on loving them.

People can change. I was once strict Catholic and apolitical/conservative. Now I am the opposite of that.

[Dream Girl]

7. I am curious. How or why did you change? Was it gradual or a sudden shift?

[Kath2]

13. Both.

I was raised Catholic and was married to a very strict conservative Catholic but a lot of my GFs were very liberal. I began thinking they made a lot more sense than he did in terms of social issues like choice and homosexuality. I began to notice his latent racism that I had either overlooked or just ignored. That irked me. Then he started really getting into Limbaugh and I just found that nauseating. I told him he was too smart for that. I guess the turning point was the Iraq war, that I was totally against. Some of my friends invited me to join them for the women's march on 4/25/04, just to experience it with them. I mentioned it to my husband and actually invited him to come. He completely lost it and told me I couldn't go. I was at a crossroads. I went and felt like I had bathed for the first time in years. I realized there were millions who were very public about thoughts I kept in private. We divorced over "irreconcilable differences" and I have never looked back. We still talk and I have some sweet memories of him. But we disagree on everything political.

I think I really was a "closet liberal" all along, but I was a go along to get along type of person. Better late than never.

[Dream Girl]

17. Thanks for that, interesting that you may have been a closet liberal. Kind of supports the theory

That people are wired to be conservative vs. liberal...nurturing vs. authoritative paradigm.

[Kath2]

19. It is very strange.

I was born in 1958. Growing up in the 60's in a very strict home, I always somehow admired the hippies, anti-war people and feminists I saw in the media. I was very much a hippie/stoner chick in high school but I was attracted to straight-laced guys who seemed responsible.

[Dream Girl]

24. You sound like me, same age, but I'm African American

I remember being strongly attracted to the counter culture movement from the age of 8 or so. I wanted to be a hippie or a black panther. My older sister was always into authority and super conservative. I'm convinced that if she weren't black she would be the worst kind of racist. She's ant-immigrant and lacking real empathy, but very religious, but for being black and not totally crazy she'd be a tRump supporter. We grew up in the Same household four years apart. I ended up in San Francisco (from Ohio) in large part because I'd heard about it when I was eight years old. My sister is still in Ohio I think we were just wired differently.

[Kath2]

25. I'm with you sister.

The 70's were pretty nice.

[Kath2]

33. You actually went to San Fransisco.

That was a dream of mine, too.

As early as I could choose my own clothes in high school it was all t shirts, bell bottom jeans and sandals.

[smirkymonkey]

6. I understand your struggle.

Loving a family member whose political views are so diametrically opposed to your own. Certain members of my family have been very good to me but I can't understand their support for such contemptible right-wing politicians. I try to compartmentalize, but I know how hard it can be. There is nothing wrong with you other than you have a distaste for people who would support hate, bigotry and ignorance.

[Ilsa]

8. Perhaps taking a break from them

would be helpful. Try not to burn any bridges, but maybe being around positive people will be more helpful. If you can manage this.

[vanlassie]

9. This is playing out everywhere. My sister and I became so disturbed

knowing that our elderly father, who we are increasingly called upon to assist with daily life, voted for a misogynist white supremacist. He has passed for normal all his life, albeit with very outspoken Republican opinions. But this, this election was a line too far. My sister could not even bear to talk with him for over a month. The reason this is so personal speaks to the father of three girls who can not see how his values harm women.

[TexasBushwhacker]

11. Do you spend a lot of time with them? Can you agree on some ground rules?

My dad's widow supported Trump because she said "we need a change". She knows my views. I don't bring up politics and if she does I just say "Barbara, you know my views, let's not argue about politics" and I change the subject. If she brings it up again, I just act like a broken record and say "Barbara, you know my views, let's not argue about politics".

You aren't going to change their views. They aren't going to change yours. My guess is they would have voted for a serial killer if he was the Republican candidate. Humans have a remarkable ability to compartmentalize, and ignore things they don't want to think about.

You may not be able to be as close to them as you want to be, but that doesn't mean they can't be in your life. Just refuse to discuss politics with them.

[Comatose Sphagetti]

12. Don't spend much time with them.

Holidays and birthday kinds of stuff only. When engaged about politics, I change the subject always.

I just hate that it's changed my view of them.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

28. " My guess is they would have voted for a serial killer if he was the Republican candidate. "

The Deplorables would have voted for Satan if he had an (R) after his name.

[AngryAmish]

16. People who talk politics all the time are bores.

Just talk about other things.

[frankieallen]

22. Best post of the day my friend!!

[Blue_true]

18. Never abandon family. They are wrong to support Trump.

Keep your distance, but don't abandon your family. If one comes to you with doubts about Trump, add to those doubts by informing, but not lecturing her, don't call her wrong because that will cause her to not listen.

[Comatose Sphagetti]

20. This

I won't abandon them. And I won't lecture if/when they come around... same as they didn't when I began to recover from my alcoholism.

[Idoru]

23. Never?

In this case I would never suggest such a thing but that is a wildly broad statement. For many, they are left no choice, especially when their family is abusive or makes your inclusion/love conditional.

[Jakes Progress]

26. I have a hard time with this.

Why is it that shared blood is more important than shared values?

I taught for many years. I worked with students who had promise and then went down into nothing because their family kept them back and lead them to crap. Other students walked away from their family and went to fulfilling useful lives.

When we all lived in huts in the woods, family was vital for survival. If you father keeps you from being the best you there is, you need to move on. This is not even counting the LBGTQ kids who had to leave or commit suicide.

It is more complicated than simple, more conditional than absolute.

[frankieallen]

21. Make a deal with them not to discuss politics. They're your sisters for Christ sake.

I would never put politics before family, that's just nonsense.
Imho

[Bayard]

29. I can't put politics before family either

No matter how rabid I am about politics, I love my brother more. We have already lost our parents and our three siblings. I'm not giving up on him. I talk to my niece regularly, and she is liberal. Our mom was a life-long Democrat. I tell him its because of that time I was walking him in a stroller as a baby, and he fell out on his head.

[frankieallen]

35. I have right leaning family as well as friends, I love and treasure them as much as

liberal family and friends. We can have constructive discussions, and we respect each others views. All to often I see posts where folks will shut out opposing views, loose friends, and ruin relationships over politics.
It's really sad.

[Johnny2X2X]

27. My mom is a Trump supporter

She's 75 this year, and is quite frankly starting to lose her mind a little. For a while after the election I couldn't even talk to her, but now I've just chalked it up to her being not with it and believing everything she reads on the internet. There is no reaching her.

[MoonRiver]

30. I have a beloved cousin who is the same. Will not talk politics with him.

Maybe fortunately we live in different states, so most of our communication is on fb. Oddly, his sister is very liberal, and we can honestly message back and forth about our views.

[CountAllVotes]

31. I have a sibling like that

and yeah, I let this fucker go a longgggggggg time ago.

I guess watching how this person acted during the deaths of OUR parents nailed that coffin shut once and for all. It was obvious that the only concern was $$ and that was it. Born-again Christian, the whole bit. Uh huh.

It is not worth it IMO.

Family? My ass.

[manicraven]

32. I can endure because I predict the Trumpists will have their comeuppance. It's just a matter of time

[KentuckyWoman]

41. I really don't understand giving up family because of politics.

I have family that are basically FOR anyone who claims they hate Democrats ever since Bill Clinton. Why? Because Rushbo told them to. Otherwise fairly intelligent people with kind hearts, who exhibit in real life all the values Democrats generally hold dear.... community, service, kindness, yada yada..... and yet will rail against anyone who dares to declare for the Democratic Party.

My youngest sibling is 64 years old. I'm the oldest. We've had 64 glorious years together of showing up for each other or banding together for someone we know that is in need. I'm not inclined to throw all that away because of one part of them that is sheer stupid.

They put up with my stupid. I know I have it and am equally as blind to it. The least I can do is love them through theirs.

Now that said, I'm not one to let them get away with BS. When they utter the lies they hear I am unafraid to push back a bit. 99% of the time we end up with, well OK that factoid is wrong that Rushbo claims but said family is still convinced there is no good use for Democrats....period.

Goofy is as goofy does.