to get their votes!!

And since you don't know them, and I do, I can tell you that a) they are essentially good kids who have been subject to indoctrination and b) you don't know them at all, so any conclusions you have to make about them pretty much aren't valid.

It still seems like they believe if they vote for a Democrat, god will be smiting them. It’s a weird situation. I don’t know what we can do about it. I guess we just have to settle for hoping they stay home. They’ll make up some culture war issue, though, that will bring them out like “men in girls’ sports” or something.

They have been deeply, deeply indoctrinated to question nothing. Don't question religion. Don't question faith. Don't question Republicanism. Don't question Trump. They are questioning Trump. They know that staying home is a de facto vote for Democrats. It is a huge step for them to be questioning Trump. Going from that to voting for a Democrat is a lesser step, frankly.

And I had a conversation with one of them about the biology of reproductive system development, and what results in intersex individuals, and he agreed that didn't make sense that orientation is a choice. So there's that.

to have EVER believed in Donald Fucking Trump

it is MIND-BOGGLING

If you were their ages, and had been indoctrinated by your parents in the way and to the extent that they have, you'd most likely turn out the same way. They are questioning the deepest kind of lifelong indoctrination. When you're young, you don't have to be stupid to be misled. You are an adult. You most likely weren't raised in deep red Appalachia. They don't have the life experience, education, or perspective that comes from age that you do. These are exactly the kind of people who need education, not condemnation. Quit being a shithead.

I am just as discouraged by the responses here as I was encouraged by the conversation.