Hi Afrin,

You did the greatest thing of all: You gave her tacit permission to do the same thing. That terrifies her. That terrifies your parents. It is just that easy to leave a religion dozens of generations old.

Maybe you thought that it would be easiest to “get” your sister back in your fold since she is twelve. Guess again! She needs your parents and will for several more years. Her turning angry towards you is an instinctive self defense mechanism.

I would give up on her and leave her alone… for now. Then when she is in her late teens/early twenties you reappear. The cool older sister. The one who is living all her forbidden dreams. The parents will be older and more tired. She’ll be an adult.

It will be better, you’ll see.

Best,

Inky