I had the good fortune to marry into a very large family of German beer drinkers.

Mother-in-law had eleven siblings as did father-in-law. Immigrated to Washington State from North Dakota, and especially kept their religious beliefs emanating mostly from Wisconsin and Missouri Synods of the Lutheran Church.

Their offspring furnishes parts of the cousin-mass we get together with a couple of times a year. Politically Republican and religiously still living in the Old Testament, they claim Jesus their savior without blinking an eye.

Emails touting their way of life abound on our computer, both political and religious, most of which I no longer open, some of which I reply with factual evidence contrary to the "truths" contained in their important message I should forward to all my friends.

I love them dearly, and learned long ago, don't discuss politics or religion at our family gatherings. They've gotten from their emails just enough feedback from me, it's a mutual concession. They suspend their evangelism for the time and I won't ask if they've gotten my replies to their most offensive epistles, as I can tell from the drop in volume they have.

Am I disturbed that an entire segment of our society passes on to the next generation what I coansider to be unreasonable religious beliefs. Yes! Should I become as obnoxious as they can be in their evangelistic zeal? No! That's my sober answer. After a few beers with the clan, it can change, but as seldom as that occurs, it's never become a shouting match. I'm not offended because my intellectual path differs from their path of faith until they want me to join them on that path, and they've received my answer which they respect.

I have friends I can discuss these subjects with and I have friends I can't discuss them with. I occasionally have lost a friend whom I've "insulted". So be it! Some would say: He wasn't a friend to begin with. And maybe friendship should be able to be unsinkable, and perhps true friendship is.

Then there are intellectual relationships where no holds are barred except the irrational, often the source of friendships that last forever, given the egos involved can withstand the occasional error.

"And talk to yourself 'til you die." I will and if someone wants to eavesdrop, that's well and good.