I finally got tired of family and so-called family bombarding me with their politic views and trying to force their beliefs on me. I just put them out of my life. I realized that the older I get the difference between family and friends becomes blurry and I treat them the same. If I won't be friends with family members or wouldn't want friends as family I simply stop having anything to do with them. My "perimeter" has collapsed and became smaller, but I'm a lot happier and at ease now.

I noticed that people who spend large amounts of time watching TV are the main ones who try to force their beliefs on you. They are the ones who are always angry with the world and the ones who jump on the right or left side of the fence. To me its a mental illness, its a disease, and its very contagious. The only way not to be affected by this disease is to stay away from it.

Mark that sounds exactly how my dad was and we were tight knit even though he would come at you

Another NY Libturd!!!

I've talked to a whole trap basket full of people who say they're better off alone when in fact they're miserably lonely. 65% of Americans claim they are lonely.
As we claim allegiance to our independent streak and hale to the victor of chasing more stuff to numb our pain of loneliness.
Everyone knows a good trapping buddy is a treasure. How a wonderful spouse can make life meaningful. How friends and family make the moments memorable.
Most of us trappers are loners and so are most people. At times it's good to find solitude.

But our nation is being divided for a reason and that reason is not good. As a matter of fact, it's evil.
So my stubborn - will not go along to get along - streak says crap on your division tactics Mr. enemy.
I realize our culture is especially marinated in the philosophy of dichotomy, where we're ALWAYS being challenged to pick one of two things, and the more I see it, the more I say no thanks.
You in? You out? You with us? You against us? You blue? You red? You conservative? You a liberal? You a trapper? A non-trapper?
I wish life was in fact, that simple.
Cause in all this crappy surface layer dichotomy is the fact non of us are simply this? Or that?

So Thomas, just say hi to dad and give him a hug. And stand back!!! He'll find a way to throw up road blocks and more prolly. But that's ok. End of the day....
he's just your pops.
And Lord knows you'll miss him more when he's gone than when he's here.
We're all a broken mess anyway.
So just say Hi Dad. While you're both still able to.

Blessings,
Mark

Luke warm is not the plan.

HT, Agreed. The key would be whose luke warm we're professing, true?

lol

trappinthomas - I will be praying for the relationship with you and your father. It sounds like he may be "checking the box" for religion and has no relationship with Jesus. I would encourage you both to read the Bible and see what our Creator says about parents and children. I would also encourage you, as difficult as it may be, to love your father and let him know you truly love him. The more you begin to understand the love Jesus has for you, the easier it will be to love all people - yes even your enemies.

I have noticed the same thing and I agree with you.

Life is too short to let the lies of politics and the media keep you angry. Every political pundit on the planet relies on keeping his/her base angry at the other side.

I quit listening years ago.

^^^ like ^^^

Lo,
U the man
I resemble that

Mr. June solid advice as always. Many years ago I talked with an old Jewish man. He told me to ask myself if I was in a Nazi controlled area during world war 2 and all my friends and family knew I was hiding a Jewish person who would turn me in/who would risk keeping my secret? He said now imagine with today's media (brainwashing) how many more of them would be convinced to turn you in? We are living in a troubled time for sure and never more divided as a people. Of course I will always love my pops. Just don't know if I want him to know any of my secrets these days.

Thank you for the Blessings!

Thank you for your prayers! I will always love my dad and I let him know. Might love him a bit more with a piece of tape over the mouth. lol

You never mentioned which side of the fence you're on .......

Many times one-way discussions or arguments die out if no fuel is added to the fire. If not there are always ways where visits can be cut shorter. I would not risk a relationship with a significant family member over politics or which denomination or sect is the correct or not correct one to adhere to. In some ways you are fortunate I never had a political or religious argument with my dad as he left my mom and 5 brothers and sisters when I was 12. It could be worse than it is. His narrow focus on his views did not stop you from creating and cutting your own path so it was not all fornot.

Bryce