Ex-Catholic with family issues... [View all]

I'm the black sheep of my Italian-Catholic family. I'm the only one who is divorced and I quit the church in 2004 because of my beliefs on contraception and choice. Haven't been back since except for baptisms, weddings and funerals. I raised my daughter from that time on with no religion whatsoever. She was 16 at the time and was relieved to be free of it. I love my family and respect their beliefs but I can't get through one damn holiday or gathering without the issue of choice/contraception coming up. I actually try to avoid it. The recent contraception-Limbaugh-Fluke controversy was the latest argument at a birthday party, of all things. Church-going and devout ex-sister in law actually came to my defense saying her birth control decisions are none of the church's God damn business. That shocked the hell out of me and you could have heard a pin drop. Ended the discussion right away. Love her for that! My parents are in their 80s and we have an understanding - we just agree to disagree on this topic and don't discuss it. That's cool with me. The rest of the family is another matter. I know my sister is convinced I'm gong to Hell and the others are just as bad. Has anyone else had similar issues? It is not in my nature to tell people to F off, although I sometimes feel like it. I am very pro-choice and my circle of friends is very liberal but the family crap is really getting to me. Maybe insomnia is getting to me, too. LOL.