Faith can give strength and hope, but it can also create problems when taken to extremes.
A devout Christian woman gave her life savings to her queer niece, believing the rapture was near. The niece, who needed the money and had long been mistreated by her aunt, debated whether to return it.
More info: Reddit
Some religious people risk pushing others away when they try to force their beliefs on them
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The poster said her religious aunt often ridiculed and harassed her for being queer and agnostic
Image credits: EyeEm / Freepik (not the actual photo)
The aunt’s behavior eased after several confrontations, but she kept insisting the poster must repent before the rapture
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When news spread about the rapture possibly happening, the aunt met her niece and handed her $40,000 in savings
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In an update, the poster said her aunt had given away her car, admitted to cheating on her husband, and quit her job
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The teen chose to return the money when possible, not wanting to worsen her aunt’s negative view of queer people
The OP’s aunt was a devout Christian who believed strongly in the rapture. She often justified her bullying by saying OP needed to repent for being queer and agnostic before the end came.
Belief in the end times resonates with many Christians. Some felt more certain after a pastor in South Africa claimed the rapture would happen on September 23 or 24.
Even before that, the aunt targeted OP for being gay, while other family members offered support. Her attempts to force faith through bullying only pushed OP further away.
Many religious people oppose the LGBTQIA+ community because of strict scripture beliefs. They may fear lifestyles they see as outside the “right path.” Even when they intend to help, their actions can come across as rude or condescending.
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In recent years, OP had less conflict with her aunt, so she was surprised when the woman suddenly called to meet. At that meeting, the aunt revealed she believed the rapture was about to happen and handed OP $40,000, saying she pitied her for not repenting.
At first, OP refused. She later accepted when she realized her aunt was serious. Her mother felt it was wrong to keep the money, saying the aunt was struggling and not in her right mind. Her father believed she should use it for college.
The aunt’s behavior suggested possible religious psychosis, where faith becomes distorted and leads to delusions or impaired judgment. Alongside giving away her savings, she also gave another niece a car, quit her job, and confessed to an affair with a coworker all in the hope of repenting before the rapture.
Nothing happened, and her life was left in pieces. Out of pity, OP decided she would return the money.
Do you think OP should have returned her aunt’s savings, or was keeping it justified given the years of bullying? Have you ever known someone convinced the rapture was imminent?
People found the aunt’s actions amusing and said the teen should have kept the money
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