My questioning angers them because liberalism is a big part of their ego, so to criticize their beliefs is to criticize their person.

I know this too. I had friends this year distance themselves from me for the same reason.

I was told “don’t be a stranger” which is ironic because these people had only been a stranger to me for several years. It was always up to me to check in and be included, rarely the other way around.

c’est la vie