Easter is this weekend.

[rkc3]

It's time again for me to post about my concerns over spending time with the RW nutter in-laws.

The last time I was at their house, I couldn't help but comment on their grumbling over Medicare (my FIL's mother is in a nursing home and they handle her finances) and No Child Left Behind (my MIL also helps take care of my niece). Makes me wonder if they're starting to understand bush is not who they vote for.

What I'm most concerned about is Sunday Service at their church. I've been dreading hearing a sermon about the War on Christians - actually losing sleep over what will come out of my mouth if the Smiling Reverend (the guy smiles more than John Edwards) starts on this path.

Aside from asking the congregation if anyone has ever lost their job because of their faith, or been denied a loan or access to housing, or had a cross burned in their yard, or know anyone who's been lynched, I'm afraid I might start asking them if they've been worried about losing their jobs, or having to make decisions about heating their houses and feeding the family, worried about how to make car and house payments and keep gas in the car, or worried they might have to declare bankruptcy.

As far as I'm concerned the War on Christians is a distraction from the real issues - the War on Americans. An effort to keep most of us scared shitless and distracted while our government does everything it can to destroy the country we love.

Anyway, I'm heading to DC through Thursday for work and won't be checking in until Monday (unless someone can tell me how to check my posts from both work and home in the next 30 minutes).

I hope all of you enjoy Easter and have the courage to stand up and walk out of similar situations this weekend.

[TechBear_Seattle]

1. Must you attend services at their church?

When I was a religious believer, I would go to an Episcopal church while my mom and sister went to Mom's Methodist church. My uncle and his family went to a Catholic church. My Jewish step-father stayed home and fixed breakfast for everyone.

You might want to say something like, "Oh, there is this minister who will be speaking at (insert name of progressive congregation here) and I would really love to hear him. Let's go there instead."

[TallahasseeGrannie]

2. Stand up and walk out?

ARE YOU DOING THE COOKING? You are going to leave someone's table because of their political views?

Have mercy on the woman who makes the dinner. She probably doesn't like you any better than you like her, but she bought the stuff and prepared it. Or somebody did. Take Grannie's advice. Honor your hosts and keep your counsel. Who decreed you have to agree with one another just to share a meal? You don't have to give money to their causes or join a club. Just smile and agree to disagree, have a nice dinner and get out of there without indigestion.

Life is too short.

[rkc3]

4. Good advice Tech Bear and Grannie.

Maybe I'll stay at their place and make sure the ham doesn't dry out.

If DUers think it makes sense to keep quiet, maybe I can bite my tongue.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

6. You've got to be selfish about it

What's it gonna get you? Nothing but indigestion, dangerous blood pressure and they cut you out of their will. (only half joking here..I've inheritied money from folks I kept my mouth shut around..paid off rather well.)

Here's some possible statements:

"Why Mama, you know I love you too much to talk about things like this at your dinner table..."

"Why Aunt Lil, your beans are too good to listen to us fuss. Let's talk about what's really important. This ham!"

"Well, Uncle Ralph, I respect you too much for dinner table arguments. Let's sit down with a beer (soda) sometime and I'll hear you out. For now, let's hit this ham."

Been there and done that a lot of times. Plan out about five harmless topics. Gardens... the kids... movies...tv shows....whatever

[noonwitch]

3. FOX news made up the War on Christians

Well, actually, probably Pat Robertson did. He's been claiming for decades that evil secular humanists are out to get christians.

Do you in-laws try to witness to you? I like to discuss theology with fundamentalists. If nothing else, they know the Bible really well and can converse with one about the finer points. They just don't get it when I say I don't necessarily believe that Jesus died for our sins. He died to show us that we are all spiritual beings, and so that he could resurrect himself and show us that death is not the end.

[cynatnite]

5. Don't want to do anything Easter related

Never go to church. I'm agnostic and won't support organized religion.

But coloring the eggs, baskets and all that we always did because of the kids. This year I don't even want to do that. We've got a 15 year old who doesn't care one way or the other. We also have a seven year old boy. I can't decide if he would care or not.

While I do love boiled eggs and some candy, I'm anti-peep all the way. I'm against all easter candy unless it is chocolate.

Maybe I'll by a chocolate cross and eat it. That would make me feel better.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

7. Peeps suck the big one

big time.

Hate 'em. Funniest Martha Stewart show was when she demonstrated how to make your own peeps. No thank you.

I never saw a chocolate cross. But if I came across one I'd eat it. As long as it didn't have a dead Jesus on it. I couldn't do that.