A Conversation,,,of sorts

Part of a recent email conversation in regards to atheism (and some of the frustrations that go along with it.)

X:  Athiests[sic], always finding ways to lie to themselves about the truth...

Me: Uhm,,,how is studying history, science, mathematics etc. lying about the truth?

X:  You said Hitler was a Christian, Hitler hated Christianity.  He was also a liar, like most worshippers[sic] of Satanic practices.

Me:  One can not be a worshiper "of Satanic practices" and an atheist as we believe in no deities,,,

Providing a few sources for my assertion in regards to Hitler:

“We were convinced that the people needs and requires this faith.   We have therefore undertaken the fight against the atheistic movement, and that not merely with a few theoretical declarations: we have stamped it out.” - Speech given Adolf Hitler, Berlin October 1933

“Hence today I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord.” Mein Kampf, end of Chapt 2

“What we must fight for is to safeguard the existence and reproduction of our race and our people, the sustenance of our children and the purity of our blood, the freedom and independence of the fatherland, so that our people may mature for the fulfillment of the mission allotted it by the creator of the universe.” Mein Kamp, Chpt 8

[It is this demonizing of the Jews that partly led to my leaving the Lutheran faith as Hitler is parroting a view held by Martin Luther in his essay "On the Jews and Their Lies" (1543).]

So I the ask for X's source material

Waiting,,,

Me: Uhm,,,

X:  Do your own homework.  You claim to know things based on "proof", when all you rely on are words in books.  Don't listen to what one source tells you.  If you were "smart" you would not need so much validation.

Me:  Confused,,, as I so wanted to say, "and how is that pink elephant that is in your room?" But I don't think they would have understood.  What I did say:  "Sources have been cited.  Verifiable, historic sources and documents."

",,,you rely on are words in books.  Don't listen to what one source tells you."  Uhm,,, And how exactly do you know about God and Christ?  Through ONE book!!  I do agree tho, one source as a basis for belief is not sound.  So then why are you religious?

Granted one book was influential in my deconversion (Age of Reason by Thomas Paine).  But I have read 1000s of others (from both sides), have listened to numerous presentations (from both sides), as well as studied the "evidence."  I have used critical thinking skills, reason, and logic.  No one book or individual has TOLD me what I should believe.

My deconversion was a solitary endeavor, no one even knew at the time that I was questioning my faith, my beliefs.  It was a good 5 years after admitting to myself I no longer could believe based on my studies before I came out of the atheist "closet."

",,,you would not need so much validation."

You honestly feel you  have "proof" for your ideology?  Why is validation a bad thing??  If your doctor told you that you had terminal cancer that was untreatable, would you not seek a second source/opinion?

I haven't heard back from X since late last nite/early this AM,,,  That was kinda fun :)