I Get Encouraging Emails

Dear Mr. Loftus,

I just wanted to take some time to drop you a note of encouragement. I happened upon your blog some months ago in the midst of my own deconversion from Christianity and have been visiting it regularly ever since. I’ve come to enjoy not only your blog, but also many of those in your network. I recently purchased a copy of The Christian Delusion and have found the insights in the first section in particular to be quite helpful while reflecting upon my own mindset in the 20+ years I was actively involved in Christianity and in evaluating the thinking of those I have left behind and continue to try to reach even as they fight to bring me back.

The other day I happened to have spotted a detractor’s rather personal and hurtful comments on one of your blog posts before those comments were rightly removed. I don’t know how often that happens, but I can’t imagine how I would feel if someone had said those horrible things about my work. As shocking and uncalled for as those comments were, in some way I have to thank that asshole for reminding me that there is a real person with real feelings behind your blog. Real people need encouragement and validation. I’m ashamed that it took reading that dickhead’s comments for me to come to this realization and be prompted to write you and express how much I appreciate what you do. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own personal struggles that I’ve neglected to thank the people that have helped me the most along the way.

So thank you, Mr. Loftus. Thank you for introducing me to Robert G Ingersoll. Thank you for providing much-needed balance to the atheist internet community. Thank you for your accessible approach. Thank you for your tenacity. And most of all thank you for being willing to put yourself out there in the thick of things to take all the crap you have to take from so many different directions. Please keep doing what you’re doing and know that there are probably many like me who simply take for granted just how much support, encouragement and benefit they’ve received from your work.

With much appreciation,
Brian