It only costs about two dollars to one of those find people sites to find out addresses, phone numbers, and even relatives. It was worth it to me just to know what was happening, whether relatives were still alive or not.
The knowledge does not change the dysfunctional relationship. My sister talks to me, lives five minutes away, and I am alone every holiday. People outside my family tell me I have good people skills. When I first moved here, I was invited every once in a while. It is one thing to face politics and religion on this forum and another when you are off-duty and just want concord.
My brother-in-law is a weird mix of Arab and Roman Catholic. His family was Chaldean Christian but there were no churches in the area so Roman Catholic was considered a closer choice than a Protestant one. Most people would consider Episcopal the status religion in America. I am treated as Barabbas for being progressive and Episcopal. I actually asked my priest what to do b/c I did not want to stoop his level but I was not taking his zingers anymore. She said it did not have anything to do with religion or politics but pure assertion of power over me. What impact could my private views have on his life? I even went to a Roman Catholic church with them a few times b/c I did so frequently in New York.
I wonder if many of these JW shunning incidents have nothing to do with the Witnesses. Rather the WT shunning policy is an excuse to violate boundaries and commit power trips. Believe me, living in NY with different faiths, I am able to talk about the weather, architecture, police uniforms, any thing under the sun. I've had very close Jewish friends and Chinese Buddhist combos in my home. Hospitality has nothing to do with religion or politics.