Maybe it's my cynicism toward Fundies clouding my opinion, but read this..

[CoffeeCat]

We have a "Milestones" section in our Sunday newspaper. People post their engagement, wedding birthday, retirement and anniversary announcements.

I've never seen anything but celebratory announcements on this page--in the 30 years that I've been reading our Sunday newspaper--until now.

Last Sunday, among the wedding announcements and birthday well wishes, there is a huge picture (the biggest picture on the page) of a family--a mother, father and three children with the caption "13th Birthday" at the top. The copy under the picture is as follows (I left out the full names):

"T**** C***** S******--- Happy 13th Birthday, angel baby! You were the first great-grandchild to come into our lives. You eased the pain of losing Grandpa J******. You brought joy and love to us, when we needed it most You are, our miracle child.

All we have ever wanted was to be a part of your life. We wanted to watch you grow and to love you. We have fought for 13 years to make that happen. We will no longer be a part of the fight. We don't want to cause heartache and damage to your life. It hurts your brothers too much and it is not fair to them. You should be #1 and nothing less. Your happiness is all we want.

We pray, you are always healthy, happy and loved. If you ever need us, we are only a phone call away! Be happy, learn to make your own decisions out of love. Try always to do what is good and right. Treat others the way you want them to treat you. Let God lead the way for you, not people. We must turn you over to God. He will take care of you, for us. We may not be with you physically, but we will always love you. We miss you! You are forever in our hearts! We love you more than life itself!

--Your daddy (plus the name of his wife, several children, uncles aunts, grandparents.

-----------
Ok--I'm willing to admit that I might be misjudging this situation. However, I suspect that--like many Fundie families--they are being fake and spiteful--but doing it with a smile on their faces as they pontificate about God--for the entire world to see. I asked my husband to read this and I said, "Do you get this? Why would someone publicize this in the most widely circulated newspaper in the state--for all to see?" My husband replied, "Because they're vindictive assholes."

I don't know what happened in this situation. However, it appears that a 13 year old is leaving the family or has decided to live with another parent--and these self righteous jerks decided to use God to reveal their family's dirty laundry, stake their position--and canonize themselves (Oh, look at the martyrs. Aren't they so giving and caring)?

This entire thing just gave me a sick feeling. I found it to be a gross invasion of privacy. They're airing personal, family matters. If they cared about this 13-year old as they claim, couldn't they have published a short "Happy Birthday" notice and written a personal letter if they had more to say?

I can't imagine that a 13-year old would be happy to see that part of her birthday present was that her family members decided to disseminate--statewide--family problems that revolve around her.

I hope the girl who just had her 13th birthday runs far, far away from this fake, dysfunctional family and never looks back. I hope she is ok.

[MadMaddie]

1. It seems to me that they are trying to sooth their own guilt...

for something they have done...(making her feel guilty)

Perhaps she's gay...
Perhaps she likes others outside her race...
Perhaps she didn't want to follow the religion they were forcing on her...
Perhaps she couldn't be hateful and spiteful like they wanted.....

What mean spirited and dysfunctional they are...I like you hope that she finds a loving and supporting family....

Horrible people!! Who puts this in a newspaper?

[China_cat]

2. Sounds more like she has mental

problems and is headed for an institution or group home.

[napi21]

3. I does sound very wrong, but could it be that was the ONLY

way they could get a message to her? I'm not sure I would have done that at all, but I can see it being a last hope of communication. Way too much we don't know in that situation to make a judgement!

[leftstreet]

4. Sounds like a custody battle

"fought for 13 years..."

Maybe they're not allowed any other form of contact?

As far as fundamentalism, it'd be hard to say really. I suspect non-fundamentalists may use terms like "turn you over to God," or "let God lead the way."

:shrug: