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I have lost my sister to a Christian sect. How can I help her?
When she was 35 my sister's 1 week old baby died. She turned in desperation to the church and changed from an atheist to a Christian overnight. Having buried her baby in the churchyard she fell out with that church and then went to another and another and another, eventually not even telling me what sect she was currently following. She is now 50 so has been a Christian for 15 years. She is an extremely intelligent woman, we have always exchanged ideas and have always been very close.
About two years ago, we were discussing the awful things in Zimbabwe by email when she wrote, "...and have you heard of the awful things they are doing to children in Nigeria in the name of Jesus?" I agreed how terrible it was and said that throughout history many awful things had been done in the name of Christ. Her response was that was impossible, everything about Christ is good and loving. To make my point clear, I listed many historical atrocities committed by the Christian church such as the crusades, the slaughter of the Cathars, the Inquisition etc etc.
Now I get to the important part..... She accused me of attacking Christianity, insulting her and her faith, of trying to convert her children etc etc, all of it entirely in her mind. I had in fact just responded to one of her children, who raised an interesting question, saying that I would love to debate theology with her but now was not the right time. From that day onwards she has never spoken to me nor answered any communication. Another of my sisters, who has read and understood all the emails, confirms that she has a false memory in her head of what I wrote but it is an incorrect memory and she will not re-read what I actually said. I have also learnt that her husband, who shares her current faith, destroys any communication from me - so what do I do?
I have suggested communicating via her pastor/vicor/priest but that idea was just ignored - binned probably. Other than prayer, has anyone any suggestions?
When she was 35 my sister's 1 week old baby died. She turned in desperation to the church and changed from an atheist to a Christian overnight. Having buried her baby in the churchyard she fell out with that church and then went to another and another and another, eventually not even telling me what sect she was currently following. She is now 50 so has been a Christian for 15 years. She is an extremely intelligent woman, we have always exchanged ideas and have always been very close.
About two years ago, we were discussing the awful things in Zimbabwe by email when she wrote, "...and have you heard of the awful things they are doing to children in Nigeria in the name of Jesus?" I agreed how terrible it was and said that throughout history many awful things had been done in the name of Christ. Her response was that was impossible, everything about Christ is good and loving. To make my point clear, I listed many historical atrocities committed by the Christian church such as the crusades, the slaughter of the Cathars, the Inquisition etc etc.
Now I get to the important part..... She accused me of attacking Christianity, insulting her and her faith, of trying to convert her children etc etc, all of it entirely in her mind. I had in fact just responded to one of her children, who raised an interesting question, saying that I would love to debate theology with her but now was not the right time. From that day onwards she has never spoken to me nor answered any communication. Another of my sisters, who has read and understood all the emails, confirms that she has a false memory in her head of what I wrote but it is an incorrect memory and she will not re-read what I actually said. I have also learnt that her husband, who shares her current faith, destroys any communication from me - so what do I do?
I have suggested communicating via her pastor/vicor/priest but that idea was just ignored - binned probably. Other than prayer, has anyone any suggestions?