I understand you would like to vent, and you do so in your letter, but I think that may harm any chance of a respectable relationship down the road. Is that what you really want? If so, I would rewrite the letter as follows:

Dear Mom,

Discussion of religion and politics annoys me. I don’t care and want nothing to do with either of them.

You and dad have taught us to value our education, and now that we are highly educated, you say our liberal education was the contributing factor to why we believe and behave the way that we do. It saddens me that you would want me to change my mind about my belief that all people should have all basic rights and liberties, as long as those do not infringe or hurt anyone else’s basic rights and liberties. That is the extent of my political beliefs and to think differently would be a change for the worse.

You say I have the power to influence many minds because I am a teacher. I do not allow political or religious bigotry to invade my class. I do not speak about my personal beliefs at all. Every single day, I encourage students to be kind and positive to one another, to treat every individual as a human being with thoughts and feelings. No one is better than other, male or female, black or white, gay or straight, Christian or Muslim. All people deserve to be treated with respect, and this is a problem that I have with religions that teach the opposite. I hear of several teachers who push their religious agendas in the classroom, which is illegal. I am following the law and by doing so, setting an example of how a good, responsible citizen should behave and treat others. What about that is so threatening?

I don’t invite you to meet or go camping with my friends because I respect you and know it’s not your thing. I wish you would give me the same respect. I know you were just trying to help, but you need to consider things from the other point of view before you jump in and get involved.

Sincerely, Lady1985