And they’re choosing to market themselves this way. “This ain’t your granddad’s Christianity. This Christianity *fucks!*”

The words “preference” and “lifestyle” (from the Marie Claire article, where Smith is much more direct) are dead giveaways.

That guy is what would happen if an Ed Hardy shirt became a human. 

I’m a 63 year old librarian and there’s no way I’d be able to stop myself from pantsing that guy.

How do you even walk like that? There’s like an inch of loose cotton between the wide open world and Mr. Winky.

Worse, he was clearly trying to get his picture taken like that. You don’t walk around in public with Justin fucking Bieber because you want privacy.

That header picture is what you see when you look up “Douche bag” in Merriam-Webster’s.

This. The public does NOT need to know about your waxing regimen, dude.

RE: dick root dude pic. As a 40 year old man, I could not imagine being a fuckin’ adult dressed like that in pictures with a literal teenager. I’m both horrified and embarrassed for anyone involved with that so called church.

That’s fine if that’s the definition of emotional labor, but it becomes pretty meaningless as a means of judging other people’s behavior if it’s as subjective as anything that you personally feel is a burden, or that makes you personally feel resentful. Your feelings are your feelings and you are entitled to them, but…

Its pretty easy really. Send them some book titles - maybe even a big ‘coffee table’ book that you would like but wouldn’t shell out for.

Especially places like local food banks, animal shelters, etc. So many are hurting financially from the pandemic and could use the $25, $50 or whatever your relatives would spend on something you really don’t need or want.

I both agree and disagree with Brandy here. I think she’s absolutely right that the LW is projecting a LOT of anger over what should be a pleasant gesture; it’s not that hard to keep a list of stuff you and your husband would like, whether it’s a fancy book, nice wine, or whatever. Or just ask for stuff like sheets…

Yeah, I mean, I don’t NEED a lot of things but I have an amazon wishlist of stuff I could use (nice new sheets! a weighted blanket, a new frying pan).

They’re her in-laws. They are family. They’re trying to do something nice for her. Maybe they deserve a little ‘emotional labor.’

How about we meet in the middle and they can send the 4th set of whiskey stones they were going to get me to the charity of my choice?

Jeez man, how hard would it be to suggest a few book titles, something for the kitchen or a particular bottle of liquor?

The best answer to that question is “a donation to XXX charity”. 

I am mildly interested in the Spears story as both an attorney and someone that has observed severe mental illness from family at close hand. Without the details it would be hard to judge.

Also, as part of his role as her conservator, he has to report his finances and what he is being paid to serve in that role. There has been zero reporting of her father or family living it up. It just seems to be if something sketchy were going on, the courts would have caught on 12 years into this. I don’t get the…