Anakin Has a Twitter Following of 24.6K

Now that's a very impressive number of followers. Anakin began quoting my book, so I asked him who he was, and began following him. I didn't expect what he told me. His name is John Matthew Leone, saying: "I'm a former Fundamental (later Evangelical) pastor from New Jersey. Graduated from a fundamental Baptist seminary with a MATS and helped to plant several churches in Philadelphia and one in Camden (NJ)." Below is why he's an atheist:

I became an atheist around 2012ish after years of studying and doubts. I truly thought I was alone in the world, until I found your works and the writings of others. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to you for all that you do, and for telling your story. Coming out of that world can be, as you know, a traumatic experience, and your work has been of tremendous benefit to me personally and emotionally.

Again, thank you for all you have done for those in my position. I cannot tell you how much it means to me. I felt completely alienated and alone, having been shunned by people who, for years, told me they loved me and were my family. During that time of loss and grief I came across your book (specifically the subtitle "A Former Preacher Rejects Christianity") at Barnes and Noble, it stopped me dead in my tracks and I bought it on the spot. That book has done more to help me during my recent hardships than just about any other. It's one thing to read Dawkins or Hitchens, but it's entirely another to read something written by a former church leader.

Used with permission.

I don't share these stories to pat myself on the back. If you think so then you misunderstand me. Lots of people misunderstand me so join the crowd. I share them to challenge believers to read my books. I don't care if they get them at the library. I'm not in it for the money (although having more would be nice). I don't care if others think they can do better (if so, then why don't they do better?). I'm interested in changing the minds of believers.