Someone close to me.......

[arewethereyet]

I find it interesting that you bring up extremes like turning to religion often mean joining the Klan or becoming Nazi.  Actually, it makes perfect sense as you seem to only see things in the context of extremes.

How each person reacts to similar situations another has experienced isn't at issue.  Everyone brings their own 'stuff' to traumatizing or merely upsetting events.  Just because you have been divorced and have had people die doesn't mean that your way of dealing is better or worse than anyone else's reactions.

This person has been through a lot it seems and has found a way to cope.  Most likely they were looking for something.  

Maybe this person you know will forever stay fundie.  Maybe the pendulum will swing back.  Maybe they needed a lifeline and people of the church have been that lifeline.

Let them go through their grief.  If you think they are ready to open a vein or give themselves a fatal shot of heroin...then guide them to help, if you can.

Nobody is trying to deny them their grief. In fact outside the one conversation I had directly with this person, it was simply them telling me they changed their mind. I am simply concerned with the degree of the swing. And no, this person isn't a drug addict. But this is the type of mental state that could be drawn into a cult. I have kept my distance with them on that issue. But I have every right to express my concerns outside our personal contact. 

I am very concerned knowing this person's state, that when other stresses come about, and they always do, this person will turn to the fundie interpretation, then when life doesn't meet this fantasy this person will become more depressed. This person needs real clinical office help, not old mythology.

Relax and give them some time.  Stop writing the future for someone else based on your neurosis.