Do you have American God-fearing in-laws?
Dec 21st 2007, 9:00 pm
#1
In yonder hills
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2007
Location: Nr. Lincoln, England
Posts: 4,132
Do you have American God-fearing in-laws?
I know it's close to Christmas, but...
Do you have American God-fearing in-laws, who have never stepped outside of America, mentally or physically?
Hitherto, my US wife has lived and experienced Britain for about three years, and is quite open-minded about our secular Brit views on religion and the fact that only about 16% of our indigenous Christian population attend church as opposed to about 57% in the United States.
Although my wife is currently in the States her mother is pissed off with her daughter - my wife - because these days my wife won't freely attend church in the States anymore (she's Southern Baptist). The mother-in-law is now posting me bloody Web-congesting 'forwards' about the stance of God in God's everyday social and domestic circles in the United States.
Moreover, she recently sent me an email, 'lamenting' that her daughter will never again find peace and happiness unless she 'reunites with God' (my wife is quite happy, thank you). Underlying is written her resentment towards British secular-minded attitudes and, I suspect, an hostility (albeit guarded) aimed at the fact that I am not a practicing 'God-fearing' individual (why 'fear' what you're supposed to be a part of anyhow? Beats me).
My adult wife, fortunately, does possess a mind of her own. She decides for herself on all issues pertaining to life and spirit. But to what extent are US in-laws religious attitudes directed at we secular Brit guys who marry their daughters, and indeed, our women who marry their sons?
In my case I think I am being hammered for leading one US daughter 'astray'.
Well, yeahhh!!! ...
Do you have American God-fearing in-laws, who have never stepped outside of America, mentally or physically?
Hitherto, my US wife has lived and experienced Britain for about three years, and is quite open-minded about our secular Brit views on religion and the fact that only about 16% of our indigenous Christian population attend church as opposed to about 57% in the United States.
Although my wife is currently in the States her mother is pissed off with her daughter - my wife - because these days my wife won't freely attend church in the States anymore (she's Southern Baptist). The mother-in-law is now posting me bloody Web-congesting 'forwards' about the stance of God in God's everyday social and domestic circles in the United States.
Moreover, she recently sent me an email, 'lamenting' that her daughter will never again find peace and happiness unless she 'reunites with God' (my wife is quite happy, thank you). Underlying is written her resentment towards British secular-minded attitudes and, I suspect, an hostility (albeit guarded) aimed at the fact that I am not a practicing 'God-fearing' individual (why 'fear' what you're supposed to be a part of anyhow? Beats me).
My adult wife, fortunately, does possess a mind of her own. She decides for herself on all issues pertaining to life and spirit. But to what extent are US in-laws religious attitudes directed at we secular Brit guys who marry their daughters, and indeed, our women who marry their sons?
In my case I think I am being hammered for leading one US daughter 'astray'.
Well, yeahhh!!! ...
Last edited by britex01; Dec 21st 2007 at 9:23 pm.
Dec 21st 2007, 9:17 pm
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: NW Chicago suburbs
Posts: 11,253
Re: Do you have American God-fearing in-laws?
I know it's close to Christmas, but...
Do you have American God-fearing in-laws, who have never stepped outside of America, mentally or physically?
Hitherto, my US wife has lived and experienced Britain for about three years, and is quite open-minded about our secular Brit views on religion and the fact that only about 16% of our indigenous Christian population attend church as opposed to about 57% in the United States.
Although my wife is currently in the States her mother is pissed off with her daughter - my wife - because these days my wife won't freely attend church in the States anymore (she's Southern Baptist). The mother-in-law is now posting me bloody Web-congesting 'forwards' about the stance of God in God's everyday social and domestic circles in the United States.
Moreover, she recently sent me an email, 'lamenting' that her daughter will never again find peace and happiness unless she 'reunites with God' (my wife is quite happy, thank you). Underlying is written her resentment towards British secular-minded attitudes and, I suspect, an hostility (albeit guarded) aimed at the fact that I am not a practicing 'God-fearing' individual (why 'fear' what you're supposed to be a part of anyhow? Beats me).
My adult wife, fortunately, does possess a mind of her own. She decides for herself on all issues pertaining to life and spirit. But to what extent are US in-laws religious attitudes directed at we secular Brit guys who marry their daughters, and indeed, our women who marry their sons?
In my case I think I am being hammered for leading one US daughter 'astray'.
Well, er....? Yeahhh!!! ...
Do you have American God-fearing in-laws, who have never stepped outside of America, mentally or physically?
Hitherto, my US wife has lived and experienced Britain for about three years, and is quite open-minded about our secular Brit views on religion and the fact that only about 16% of our indigenous Christian population attend church as opposed to about 57% in the United States.
Although my wife is currently in the States her mother is pissed off with her daughter - my wife - because these days my wife won't freely attend church in the States anymore (she's Southern Baptist). The mother-in-law is now posting me bloody Web-congesting 'forwards' about the stance of God in God's everyday social and domestic circles in the United States.
Moreover, she recently sent me an email, 'lamenting' that her daughter will never again find peace and happiness unless she 'reunites with God' (my wife is quite happy, thank you). Underlying is written her resentment towards British secular-minded attitudes and, I suspect, an hostility (albeit guarded) aimed at the fact that I am not a practicing 'God-fearing' individual (why 'fear' what you're supposed to be a part of anyhow? Beats me).
My adult wife, fortunately, does possess a mind of her own. She decides for herself on all issues pertaining to life and spirit. But to what extent are US in-laws religious attitudes directed at we secular Brit guys who marry their daughters, and indeed, our women who marry their sons?
In my case I think I am being hammered for leading one US daughter 'astray'.
Well, er....? Yeahhh!!! ...
Can't you feel the flames licking at your toes....
Forward the email on to your wife, let her sort mummy out. What fun (not!). Man I would stay SO far out of that one.
Dec 21st 2007, 9:31 pm
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: SC
Posts: 4,153
Re: Do you have American God-fearing in-laws?
They do tend to be just a tadge bit serious about their religion as you are finding out.
Dec 21st 2007, 9:41 pm
#4
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,220
Re: Do you have American God-fearing in-laws?
It doesnt help that Im quite a critic of the Holy Roman Empire and its money grabbing, truth hiding and brainwashing policies.
Dec 21st 2007, 9:49 pm
#5
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: NW Chicago suburbs
Posts: 11,253
Re: Do you have American God-fearing in-laws?
Yup I am in exactly the same boat. Mrs. R's mother is a notorious Catholic God botherer and I am the devil because Im not going to church anytime soon unless they start handing out Stella Artois and pork scratchings instead of cheap plonk and a wafer.
It doesnt help that Im quite a critic of the Holy Roman Empire and its money grabbing, truth hiding and brainwashing policies.
It doesnt help that Im quite a critic of the Holy Roman Empire and its money grabbing, truth hiding and brainwashing policies.
Dec 21st 2007, 9:53 pm
#6
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,669
Re: Do you have American God-fearing in-laws?
Yup I am in exactly the same boat. Mrs. R's mother is a notorious Catholic God botherer and I am the devil because Im not going to church anytime soon unless they start handing out Stella Artois and pork scratchings instead of cheap plonk and a wafer.
It doesnt help that Im quite a critic of the Holy Roman Empire and its money grabbing, truth hiding and brainwashing policies.
It doesnt help that Im quite a critic of the Holy Roman Empire and its money grabbing, truth hiding and brainwashing policies.
I DETEST religion, one in particular. It has caused nothing but misery for my people for centuries. 
Dec 21st 2007, 9:54 pm
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: NW Chicago suburbs
Posts: 11,253
Re: Do you have American God-fearing in-laws?
They say more people have died in the name of religion than for any other reason.
Dec 21st 2007, 9:55 pm
#9
Peace onion
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Denver
Posts: 5,686
Re: Do you have American God-fearing in-laws?
Ditto for me. Not in-laws yet though.
Southern Baptists and Pentecostals. The parents go to New Life in Colorado Springs, of arch-hypocrite Ted Haggard infamy, and a couple of weeks ago that shooting.
Most of the family don't drink, which is a bad sign.
GF's mother is mortified that my son isn't circumcised. I felt like saying, well, let me rip out your clitoral hood for some stupid superstition, and then we'll talk.
When I do go to their churches, I am amazed on a psychological and anthropological level the activities these folk indulge in. The waving the hand around stuff really gets me. And the pressure and psychological manipulations these people are subjected to - willingly.
"Why me, Lord? I've always been good. I don't drink or dance or swear. I've even kept kosher just to be on the safe side. I've done everything the Bible says! Even the stuff that contradicts the other stuff! What more can I do? I...I..I feel like I wannaa yell out, but I just can't dang-darn-diddly-darn-dang-
ding-dong-diddly-darned do it! I just...I...*sigh*." - Ned Flanders, from the Simpsons
Southern Baptists and Pentecostals. The parents go to New Life in Colorado Springs, of arch-hypocrite Ted Haggard infamy, and a couple of weeks ago that shooting.
Most of the family don't drink, which is a bad sign.
GF's mother is mortified that my son isn't circumcised. I felt like saying, well, let me rip out your clitoral hood for some stupid superstition, and then we'll talk.
When I do go to their churches, I am amazed on a psychological and anthropological level the activities these folk indulge in. The waving the hand around stuff really gets me. And the pressure and psychological manipulations these people are subjected to - willingly.
"Why me, Lord? I've always been good. I don't drink or dance or swear. I've even kept kosher just to be on the safe side. I've done everything the Bible says! Even the stuff that contradicts the other stuff! What more can I do? I...I..I feel like I wannaa yell out, but I just can't dang-darn-diddly-darn-dang-
ding-dong-diddly-darned do it! I just...I...*sigh*." - Ned Flanders, from the Simpsons
Last edited by Octang Frye; Dec 21st 2007 at 9:59 pm.
Dec 21st 2007, 9:57 pm
#10
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,669
Re: Do you have American God-fearing in-laws?
circumcision has nothing to do with religion unless they're Jewish or Muslim 
Dec 21st 2007, 9:59 pm
#12
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: NW Chicago suburbs
Posts: 11,253
Re: Do you have American God-fearing in-laws?
Ditto for me. Not in-laws yet though.
Southern Baptists and Pentecostals. The parents go to New Life in Colorado Springs, of arch-hypocrite Ted Haggard infamy, and a couple of weeks ago that shooting.
Most of the family don't drink, which is a bad sign.
GF's mother is mortified that my son isn't circumcised. I felt like saying, well, let me rip out your clitoral hood for some stupid superstition, and then we'll talk.
When I do go to their churches, I am amazed on a psychological and anthropological level the activities these folk indulge in. The waving the hand around stuff really gets me. And the pressure and psychological manipulations these people are subjected to - willingly.
Southern Baptists and Pentecostals. The parents go to New Life in Colorado Springs, of arch-hypocrite Ted Haggard infamy, and a couple of weeks ago that shooting.
Most of the family don't drink, which is a bad sign.
GF's mother is mortified that my son isn't circumcised. I felt like saying, well, let me rip out your clitoral hood for some stupid superstition, and then we'll talk.
When I do go to their churches, I am amazed on a psychological and anthropological level the activities these folk indulge in. The waving the hand around stuff really gets me. And the pressure and psychological manipulations these people are subjected to - willingly.
We phoned there for amusement one time near Christmas - recorded message said "Press 1 to donate money. press 2 to donate stocks or bonds. Press 3 to donate your car. Press 4...."
Dec 21st 2007, 10:02 pm
#14
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: NW Chicago suburbs
Posts: 11,253
Dec 21st 2007, 10:02 pm
#15
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,813
Re: Do you have American God-fearing in-laws?
I have cousins, aunts and uncles that are like that. Luckily my Mom, Dad and brothers and sisters are not God-fearing Americans at all. Disappointingly, my oldest brother occasionally votes Republican, but I think he's starting to come around.
My in-laws are Thai Buddhists. Buddhism is not a prosyletising religion so no problem on that front.
My in-laws are Thai Buddhists. Buddhism is not a prosyletising religion so no problem on that front.