To expect some sort of reply?

[Thistledew]

I posted a rant on Facebook (yes, I know) in relation to an Equal Opportunities form I had to complete, which if you did not want to state that you were either a member of a specified or "other" religion, left you with the option of ticking a box labled "no religion or belief". My rant was to the effect that almost everyone, regardless of whether or not they are religious, has some sort of belief as to why we are here, what it is all for, and what happens after.

A very religious member of my family posted in reply to my comment "wot's your world view then?". I decided to offer her the courtesy of a reply, and spent a bit of time setting out a bit of what I do believe.

Since then, nothing. No response or acknowlegement of my answer. I know she has seen my message as it is marked on my messenger app as read.

AIBU to have expected that she would make some sort of reply, even if it was just "thanks for taking the time to answer"? Especially as she is always keen to push her own religious views onto other people?

OK, I'll brush it off.

I do use FB in a semi-serious way to keep in touch with a group of friends who work in various different places around the world for several different NGOs. We use Facebook to post serious stuff about campaigning/activism work, which does often spark a debate about something. It is a good way for us to share and comment on issues we are working on.

Said relative does sometime join in with comments on campaigning stuff I post, so I suppose I had her mentally filed under the 'serious' fb users, whereas in fact I should re-categorise her in the "posts cartoons, cute kittens and nothing more serious than next week's curry meet-up" fb users!

It's not a big deal. I think if it had been a post about anything other than religion I wouldn't have thought twice. It's the fact that she is always so insistent that people pay attention to her religious views, I found it a little hurtful that she obvious wasn't bothered to pay attention to mine.

Maybe - and I know this will be a shocking thought - she just hasn't been on Facebook for a few days.

Exactly what boomerwang and celine said. Just get over it. She obviously feels she has nothing more to say on the matter or can't be arsed or whatever. This is a total non-problem.

Fair enough. I am a bit surprised that people do not see it as rude not to acknowledge a message like that. I always feel guilty if someone has taken the time to write to me about something and I don't thank them for doing so. I shall stop feeling guilty and ignore them with impunity in the future!

Leave the bastard

Maybe you were hoping for a war of words and are upset that she wouldn't engage. I like to reply to PMs even if it is just to say thank you, but lots of people don't and it doesn't upset me. You answered her question, end of.

She asked a question. You answered. Sounds OK to me

Probably she was so taken aback by the overwhelming correctness and brilliance of your position, that she doesn't want to think about it too closely in case her own world view is rent asunder and irreparably changed forever.

Does that work for you?