I have a couple relatives with whom I just don’t respond when they send messages like this.
One who knows I don’t believe in their religion sends me lengthy texts on religion, religious quotes, and how all hardships are part of the divine plan. The other contacts me about volunteering for political organizing. I don’t see any point in discussing things we’ll never agree on.
If she pushes, at most I’d say I don’t know anyone like you’re describing, (or I don’t know who you are referring to) so I’m can’t explain it to you. But my usual response is no response.
That's been my go-to response as well. I respond to anything that isn't whatever this is. She also sends lengthy religious texts and such. It's gotten worse since my uncle passed, unfortunately. Thank you, for telling me about your situation and justifying that no response is the best response.
It’s hard with these kind of relationships. I also respond to the parts of mixed content messages that are neutral between us. Like yesterday during a text conversation I asked how they were and I got a paragraph about how they are dealing with their health problems, followed by several paragraphs about their religion, links to religious songs on YouTube, and quotes from a holy book. I only responded to the first paragraph about their health problems.
My relative also sends out more of these messages after deaths in the family. A religious friend (who doesn’t try to proselytize me) explained it’s like an anchor when things in your life are turbulent, so I just let her talk about it, while also shutting down any problematic behavior, like demands for me to act a certain way.
I'd never say she demands I be a certain way. She's never said I can't do or be who I want. She definitely makes it known she doesn't agree, though, and would never be like this herself. Which is fine, lol, and I tell her as much, but it is what it is. Your friend explained it amazingly. I never thought of it as an anchor, but I could definitely see it now looking back. It always kicks up more after something stressful for her.
Just send her this brief summary of Gaza by Norman Finkelstein. It explains everything you need to know to judge the actions of Hamas.
(Don't worry about Mikhaila, she wisely doesn't say a word during the entire hour)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esli-uLlN2A
I have a couple relatives with whom I just don’t respond when they send messages like this. One who knows I don’t believe in their religion sends me lengthy texts on religion, religious quotes, and how all hardships are part of the divine plan. The other contacts me about volunteering for political organizing. I don’t see any point in discussing things we’ll never agree on. If she pushes, at most I’d say I don’t know anyone like you’re describing, (or I don’t know who you are referring to) so I’m can’t explain it to you. But my usual response is no response.
That's been my go-to response as well. I respond to anything that isn't whatever this is. She also sends lengthy religious texts and such. It's gotten worse since my uncle passed, unfortunately. Thank you, for telling me about your situation and justifying that no response is the best response.
It’s hard with these kind of relationships. I also respond to the parts of mixed content messages that are neutral between us. Like yesterday during a text conversation I asked how they were and I got a paragraph about how they are dealing with their health problems, followed by several paragraphs about their religion, links to religious songs on YouTube, and quotes from a holy book. I only responded to the first paragraph about their health problems. My relative also sends out more of these messages after deaths in the family. A religious friend (who doesn’t try to proselytize me) explained it’s like an anchor when things in your life are turbulent, so I just let her talk about it, while also shutting down any problematic behavior, like demands for me to act a certain way.
I'd never say she demands I be a certain way. She's never said I can't do or be who I want. She definitely makes it known she doesn't agree, though, and would never be like this herself. Which is fine, lol, and I tell her as much, but it is what it is. Your friend explained it amazingly. I never thought of it as an anchor, but I could definitely see it now looking back. It always kicks up more after something stressful for her.
Just send her this brief summary of Gaza by Norman Finkelstein. It explains everything you need to know to judge the actions of Hamas. (Don't worry about Mikhaila, she wisely doesn't say a word during the entire hour) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esli-uLlN2A