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

I'm going to publish the "horrible" comment Brian refers to below. It was made on Jeff Lowder's blog. When I first read it I almost quit. Then I noticed it got upvoted within fifteen minutes as I was responding to it. I noticed this with several other derogatory comments aimed at me. Derogatory comments against me each got one upvote after several minutes. Not two, not three, but one. After a day or two others appeared, pro and con. What bothers me is that I don't know who upvoted it so quickly. What also bothers me is that Lowder did not come to my defense. If someone had said the following things about Lowder I would most emphatically defend him quickly and without a doubt.

Before sharing the comment it comes from emeritus313, schopenhauer3333@web.de / Yes this is his email address, the same guy who has commented at DC as John Mitchell (not his real name for sure), a Christian liar for Jesus who, for the record, hasn't been banned here...yet:

This person shared the same comment here on my blog as well.

Dear John,

stating my honest opinion regarding you, your behavior and your writings on this blog means telling you that you are a liability to atheism as a force on the web.

It has now become obvious that other atheists do not respect you and look down on your writings and especially mock your horrible debate performances. But they do not only look down on you, they share my opinion that you are an embrarassment to secularism and atheism and that you should stop degrading our good fight against superstition and irrationaility.

Lets face facts: Jeffer Jay Lowder does not respect you and he easily debunks your ridiculous arguments and shows that you are unable to reason correctly. Christians and atheists are laughing at your ridiculous responses.

See how embarassing it is for atheism that other bloggers who surely have better things to do have to use time to show the weakness of your arguments in order to save face for atheism and all you do is insult them without any basis for rational argument.

In your public debates you were defeated times again by your debate opponents and John Wood humiliated you in front of everybody who has or will ever watch the debates you two had. He reduced you to a stuttering fool and you couldnt even save face.

So I am here to tell you what you have to do:

1. Dont ever think about degrading and humiliating the cause of atheism by taking part in a public debate EVER again. You are a disgrace to atheism ESPECIALLY if you speak in public.
2. Stop this ridiculous and disgusting propaganda-blog and let other atheists such as Jeferry Jay Lowder argue against christianity. You are simply unable to reason correctly and you get slapped around by Victor Reppert constantly.
3. STOP INSULTING OTHER ATHEIST-THINKERS who have to point out your fallacies.
4. Disappear from the internet and continue to clean carpets!

Im serious John. Youre a disgrace. Many many atheists have only one wish: That you either disappear from the web or change sides and disgrace christianity by becoming a christian again.

None of the two sides need you but if you want to do something for atheism: change sides, become a christian and embarass them not us. Proof your loyality.

We dont want to have you on our side.

You have nothing to offer.

Please do as I told you to.

You cannot debate. You cannot reason. You cannot stand criticism.

You are an abject failure.

My wife tells me to ignore people like this. I wish I could.