Why do my parents think I'm a liberal nut?

Question

I come from a fairly religious and conservative family. They think I'm crazy and heading down the wrong path because I think gay marriage should not have any government interference. I said that I see no reason why prostitution is illegal, and I think marijuana should be legalized. They are worried sick about me because they think I'm gay, they think I'm prostituting or considering it and they think I do drugs. I am not gay, I don't do drugs or prostitue. I just don't see why the government is so focused on these petty things when there are far more important things to focus on. What can I do or say to make them realize that a difference in opinion does not make me a nut or a bad person?

Answer 1

i'm going to be operating under the assumption that your parents would like you to lead a piously religious, upstanding lifestyle.

first: assuming your parents eat meat--tell them it's a good thing that the vegans aren't running the government--then it would be illegal to even drink milk. this should get them pretty upset, etc.

so it's probably a good thing that we don't have laws that infringe upon the rights of others. tell them it's the golden rule applied to politics--if you dont want someone else interrupting your life, don't do it to them.

if that still doesn't sway them:

tell them that you're interested in them being able to live as they see fit. included in that is the money they've made throughout their lives. a war on drugs in particular is expensive. it's not that you don't want to support an immoral lifestyle, it's that you don't want to waste money on fighting that which doesn't harm people.

a third option which is more difficult to pull off is the following:

religion is obviously a sacred institution. a government is much less a way to the light, and more a necessary evil. it would be a sacrilege to involve something as holy as religion in the affairs of such a paltry institution as government.

regardless of how other people think you're wrong and crazy (see the 'listen to your parents mantra), anyone who really values their own position will be understanding. the truth is not afraid of challengers.

Answer 2

Well Missy, The reason these issues are being addressed by the government is because people who believe they should or should not be legal push for the government to step in and do something about it. So it's regular citizens who bring these issues up to the government....

You want to question their motives for doing so, But on the other hand these are some of the Issues they campaign off of and These Issues happen to work rather well in catching the eye of a potential voter. People always complain about government being involved in Abortion, Gay marriage, Prostitution, Drugs and Health care but when they hear the Candidates speak about them they are all ears to hear their solutions... So if you truly want them to stay out of it, Then I guess their positions won't make a difference to You when it's time to vote. RIGHT? Just think about that the next time you are all ears on what Hillary or Giuliani has to say about any of those issues. You want them to stay out of it but fix the problem in the same breathe.....

And your parents are going to get worried when you start speaking about things you have no Idea about... If you've never done drugs, Prostituted and your not Gay then how do you know the negative and positive effects of all these things?

Answer 3

Everyone has a right to their own opinion. The thing with your family is that they don't agree with you in what you believe and since they believe so strongly in the things they do and think,that I guess they thought you would think the same way. I am a liberal/democrat while my family is republican we have very differrent especially the onces between my older brother and sister and me. They don't agree with every thing i argue about when these conversation come us. They think im a nutcase so i know your feeling. As for my parents they have learned to deal with it because they know they can't change my opinion and my beliefs. I totally agree with what you say about gay marrige, as for the marijuana a bit only if you are really sick because it becomes an addiction and can kill you. The prostitutuion tjough i don't agree with. But off topic. To show them that you aren't a baad person my advice is to talk to them express your feelings and the reasoning behind your opinion and ask about theirs to set at least a small comomon grounds on your opinion. I hope you understand what im trying to say. Sorry if you don't. But i hope this works and if it doesn't i hope you find an answer that does. But the best way to settle things in my opinion is to talk.

Answer 4

Missy,
I can relate because I'm in the same situation with My parents. They are much older and refuse to even listen to my point of view. I get so frustrated and annoyed that now when they bring up politics I tell them that I don't want to discuss any of the issues.
To me it is not worth the aggravation and getting my blood pressure up.
And yes, they are the small percentage that watch faux news.

No, you are not a "Liberal nut". You can think and reason for yourself.
I say good for you !!!

Answer 5

Because your parents are uninformed, old-fashioned, and follow outdated traditions rather than using logic and common sense that need to be applied in a new era and very different world.

My parents are the same way, but when I back my views up with statistics and facts they don't know what to say. Try it sometime! You probably can't change their views, but you can open up their minds more.

Answer 6

You sound like a pretty level headed individual. I just wonder, did your parents raise you, to not let you form an opinion of your own, or did they raise you to accept only their opinions??
Have you matured enough to know when you have a right to form your own opinion? Hang in there! Right or wrong in the eyes of others, you have the right to form your own opinions
Blessings..

Answer 7

I agree with you. It is going to be hard to persuade your parents but it is not impossible. When you talk to them take one subject at the time, keep them on that subject, talk slowly and repeat their answer or statement before charging forward with your reason. If necessary break the session only to continue later.

Answer 8

There is nothing you can do except pretend you agree with them. I grew up with parents like that. I never convinced them of my veiws about racism, religion or politics, and when they died, I was cut out of their wills, and they left everything to my brother and sister who are both hard line Republicans.

Use your energy to change other people...not your parents. Age has something to do with their inability to change. "You can't teach an old dog new tricks."

Answer 9

Isn't the republican party all about less government interference in our lives?

Answer 10

Just stick to what you believe and go on with your life. Some people try too hard to please their parents as far as lifestyle and politics and stuff and it is just silly cause if you do that you aren't being yourself.