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I am meeting a Trump supporter this week. Help.

Just remember, evangelism is hospitality.

Slacktivist said:
Like improv, evangelism is usually more about listening than it is about talking.

The Cherokee Baptist theologian Bill Baldridge tells a story about white missionaries who arrived at the Indian settlement. ”We are here to tell you the story of our God and of salvation," they announced.

The elders welcomed them, brought them food, and gathered around to hear this story. The missionaries, pleased by this enthusiastic audience, decided to go with the Long Version. They started at the beginning and over the next several hours they told the whole great Christian saga of creation, fall and redemption.

When at last the missionaries were finished, the elders thanked them. ”This is a good story," the elders said. ”Now we would like to share with you our story."
The missionaries were furious. Hadn't these people been listening? Didn't they realize that they had just heard the One True Story and that their old story, whatever it was, no longer mattered?

The missionaries abruptly left, shaking the dust off their shoes and heading out to find some other group more receptive to to their message.

(The entire post is an excellent guide to evangelism in the Christian sense - which, I think, a great many people trying to effect political change would benefit from reading).

EDIT: Well, that sucks
 
If it's not hyperbole and "A literal walking nazi" can be taken seriously, unlike many of the "everyone is nazi" claims on the internet, then I doubt many. You'd have to be off your rocker to plan a nice social gathering with your supposed best friend and her legimately genocidal boyfriend, who appears to be some long distance FB hookup (it's suggested they've never met???). OP's continuing issue will be not everyone is going to read 134 posts to get to this. They will read the title and the OP and respond.


I don't know, man. From many of the responses in here, genocide is "just a political view, just hang out and find common ground"

I guess I shouldn't be surprised but yeah
 

Dr.Acula

Banned
I don't know, man. From many of the responses in here, genocide is "just a political view, just hang out and find common ground"

I guess I shouldn't be surprised but yeah

lIlTVaB.gif


(from this thread)
 
I feel like "Trump supporter" is less important here than "genocide advocate."

I would've not only not met the dude, I would've abandoned my friend as soon as i heard she was "in love" with someone who had those beliefs. What the fuck, man?
 
I don't know, man. From many of the responses in here, genocide is "just a political view, just hang out and find common ground"

I guess I shouldn't be surprised but yeah

GTFO. The many responses of that were before OP revealed that this person was for ethnic cleansing and a white nationalist. The original question was like "I'm meeting a Trump supporter, please give me evidence to argue with him," and most people -- reasonably -- were like, eh, don't bother, you don't have to argue with someone when you meet them.

And then he added that his friends' friend is a white nationalist who advocates genocide and that the friend specifically wanted them to argue... and virtually everybody was like "Well..... that's changes things."
 

Mahonay

Banned
I know lots of Trump supporters (i am not even american lol) and those guys always seems to be the chilliest people on the room.

There is no need to have that attitude man, just try to have fun.
This guy was also pro-genocides. So... no.

They are chill unless you are non-white or LGBTQ.
 
Sucks you lost a friend OP. If she really loves him then she's not going to react rationally to you trying to confront either one of them.

You are right in wanting to make him understand that his genocidal views are not welcome in modern society, but a direct confrontation complete with facts and objective information will not accomplish that. They don't acknowledge facts. Trump could tell them all that he shot a baby and they'd all find a reason to rationalize that. What we need to do is show up at the polls. Vote their candidate(s) out and show them that Trumpism isn't welcome. And frankly OP, you're better off without that friend. I had an old friend that latched on to Trump pretty hard and it brought out all of the shit he never talked to us about. We don't talk anymore.
 
GTFO. The many responses of that were before OP revealed that this person was for ethnic cleansing and a white nationalist. The original question was like "I'm meeting a Trump supporter, please give me evidence to argue with him," and most people -- reasonably -- were like, eh, don't bother, you don't have to argue with someone when you meet them.

And then he added that his friends' friend is a white nationalist who advocates genocide and that the friend specifically wanted them to argue... and virtually everybody was like "Well..... that's changes things."

When are people going to realize that White nationalist = Trump supporters?
 
GTFO. The many responses of that were before OP revealed that this person was for ethnic cleansing and a white nationalist. The original question was like "I'm meeting a Trump supporter, please give me evidence to argue with him," and most people -- reasonably -- were like, eh, don't bother, you don't have to argue with someone when you meet them.

And then he added that his friends' friend is a white nationalist who advocates genocide and that the friend specifically wanted them to argue... and virtually everybody was like "Well..... that's changes things."

You get the fuck out of here, anyone can read the thread. Many comments after the OP edit said to "find common ground, just hang like normal". WTF? The post are right here

You could just not talk about politics and to try find a common interest.

Well, at least you're working hard to earn your status as a pariah within your social circles. Gotta admire your dedication.

Just don't post a thread afterwards asking GAF why no one invites you anywhere anymore.

I dont understand this. He has his views and you have yours. If you want to meet him and be a dick in order to show him that he's a dick, might as well not meet. Seems your friend likes him and despite your views, I don't think it should be up to you to dictate who is good for her or not. Don't start shit. If the conversation goes into politics, be tactful about it.


Yeah op, this

Don't go looking for a fight, that's just dumb

Why not take the high road and not engage politics with him. I see it backfiring and you losing your friend over this.

Don't talk politics

Yeah.. Find common ground.

You want to argue with someone about something you know nothing about and assume he is wrong. Are you sure your not a trump supporter?

Political views are just that...their views. Wrong place and time for that debate. Let them be together.

Why would you engage with someone where your moral compasses act on opposite spectrums? Why not just avoid politics all together and talk about movies and sports and the newest coolest thing they are up too?

virtually everybody though huh?
 

Trojita

Rapid Response Threadmaker
I'd argue that telling people to Fuck Off isn't usually an effective way to stay a member here.
 
You get the fuck out of here, anyone can read the thread. Many comments after the OP edit said to "find common ground, just hang like normal". WTF? The post are right here

virtually everybody though huh?

What are you supposed to do ? You could get into a literal fight with the guy, beat him to try to change his views. You could hurl words at him until you lose your voice. Neither of those things will make him change his mind about anything. What are you saying that we should do if we find ourselves facing someone who has an abhorrent worldview like this?

The best option is to not meet with or acknowledge them, but sometimes that is unavoidable
 
What are you supposed to do ? You could get into a literal fight with the guy, beat him to try to change his views. You could hurl words at him until you lose your voice. Neither of those things will make him change his mind about anything. What are you saying that we should do if we find ourselves facing someone who has an abhorrent worldview like this?

The best option is to not meet with or acknowledge them, but sometimes that is unavoidable

I wouldn't have met with the guy, not talk sports or tv with him. I would have explained to the friend upfront that dating someone who believes in genocide is a deal breaker for our friendship.
 

RedRum

Banned
I wouldn't have met with the guy, not talk sports or tv with him. I would have explained to the friend upfront that dating someone who believes in genocide is a deal breaker for our friendship.

Yeah, looks like you're advocating being civil while trying to get the point across to the friend.

The same thing you were telling us we need to fuck off for.
 
If anybody was interested in how this all ended and bring closure to the thread.

I lost a friend.

Racists love racists.

Guy was a total fuckhead.


That's a damn shame, sorry for your loss.

Yet, it was fairly pointless undergoing this excercise to begin with, people who love trump supporters or his philosophy by extension are fuckheads themselves, it sounded like you wanted to believe otherwise. Whilst it is okay to see the good in people, The majority of people have bad in them, learnt that lesson years ago.

Also, details please, the prep you went was extensive, the advice you were given too, at least give the people in this thread an overview of what happened.
 
Yeah, looks like you're advocating being civil while trying to get the point across to the friend.

The same thing you were telling us we need to fuck off for.

No, I told dude to fuck off because he said that "virtually everybody" when that clearly wasn't the case

The question I posed was "how many are willing to just shoot the shit and hang out with someone you know advocates genocide?"

I said I wouldn't meet him at all and talk to the friend. Not "find common ground", which I never even told anyone to fuck off for

the spin you have to make to even make your comment here makes sense... cmon guy
 

RedRum

Banned
No, I told dude to fuck off because he said that "virtually everybody" when that clearly wasn't the case

The question I posed was "how many are willing to just shoot the shit and hang out with someone you know advocates genocide?"

I said I wouldn't meet him at all and talk to the friend. Not "find common ground", which I never even told anyone to fuck off for

the spin you have to make to even make your comment here makes sense... cmon guy

It looked like you were telling the entire list of people you quoted to fuck off as well, before your edit. If that's not the case, disregard.
 
I'm confused about something: you said "racists love racists." So she's a racist but you never knew? She never shared racist views before this guy or something?

Anyway, they deserve each other and it's good to get shitty people out of your life.
 

diablos991

Can’t stump the diablos
Sucks you lost a friend over politics.

Friends of opposing political views are fantastic learning opportunities and usually support great conversation.
 
could just talk like actual people instead of having to debate those that have different views?

Why do you feel it necessary to go on the political attack/debate stance straight away?

Seriously. You interact with this person the same way you would with anyone else. You can begin with hello.
 
For the people asking for details.

I went to her house where he is staying. I met him and after introductions were done we shot the shit. Talking about what he had done in england so far.
Maybe 2 minutes into the conversation he brings up the london bridge attacks out of nowhere and asked me if i felt safe with all the dangerous people being let into the country.
I responded with the fact that the attackers from my understanding were born and radicalised in england. He was not impressed with that answer and proceeded to rant about muslims and their awful religion.

I looked at my friend who was visably embaressed but stayed silent.
I changed the subject, tried to get to know who he was.

This is the thing that shook me. My friend is fully capable of looking after herself and making her own decisions. But as she has only had the one relationship she is inexperienced to things. Furthermore they are both dutifully religious. No sex before marriage.

She is 22. He is 39. I'm not saying age gapped relationships cant work/are weird. I'm saying in this particular incident this was a clear case of manipulation from him on a girl who unfortunately doesnt know better.

After maybe an hour its became very clear to me that he was agitating himself. So I dropped my little bombshell on him that I was a semi practicing muslim. Whenever I needed spiritual guidance I would go to a mosque. Not a church. He said I was a liar because I was white and white people cant be muslims.
I told him he was dumb as shit because intelligent people cant be nazis.

So began a shouting match.

My friend told me I had ruined his holiday. I said how could she love him, she said he has valid points. I reaffirmed with her that this man was a facebook post away from attacking a public place. She said it was overexaggeration, and that it was time for me to leave. I asked her straight up if she thought muslims are bad, she nodded her head to which i told her they belonged together then.


I am very saddened by this. I never knew she had such hate in her. I'm not sure what to think out of all this. I knew it was coming. Anyone with any sense could predict this outcome, I must be mad trying to see if it was all a misunderstanding. Guess i'm the naive one.
 
It's kind of late to keep pretending like this lol

Eh, I think it's fair to say a significant amount of Trump supporters are poorly educated, or dare I say, even an idiot. My more conservative side of the family voted for Trump, I shit you not, because he wasn't Clinton. They viewed the way he spoke, what he was for, pretty much most things about him as abhorrent, but thought the alternative was much worse.

Needless to say, I consider them incredibly ignorant.
 

Complex Shadow

Cudi Lame™
Eh, I think it's fair to say a significant amount of Trump supporters are poorly educated, or dare I say, even an idiot. My more conservative side of the family voted for Trump, I shit you not, because he wasn't Clinton. They viewed the way he spoke, what he was for, pretty much most things about him as abhorrent, but thought the alternative was much worse.

Needless to say, I consider them incredibly ignorant.
I kinda wanna know how they feel now?
 

TTOOLL

Member
could just talk like actual people instead of having to debate those that have different views?

Why do you feel it necessary to go on the political attack/debate stance straight away?


Great first post. The anti-Trump voters hate here is incredible. If you voted for Trump you're automatically the scum of Earth period. It's just not fair.
 

Ponn

Banned
Eh, I think it's fair to say a significant amount of Trump supporters are poorly educated, or dare I say, even an idiot. My more conservative side of the family voted for Trump, I shit you not, because he wasn't Clinton. They viewed the way he spoke, what he was for, pretty much most things about him as abhorrent, but thought the alternative was much worse.

Needless to say, I consider them incredibly ignorant.

I'd really like a Trump supporter to sit down and elaborate when they claim they don't really like Trump but they think Clinton was worse. Like I want specifics not just vague "but her emails" bullshit rhetoric thats being regurgitated from whatever propaganda show they are watching or listening to but the informed awful specifics they truly feel made her worse.
 

brian577

Banned
Great first post. The anti-Trump voters hate here is incredible. If you voted for Trump you're automatically the scum of Earth period. It's just not fair.

Considering all the horrible things he's done or tried to do in the past 8 months...is it really unfair?
 
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