YO MATT.

I just read your email. Good to get some background on what's happening, although I am sadly not surprised.

Since Mandy and I just arrived in Branson, I'm going to keep this short, but I would like to make a few things clear:

1. The way the Wilcoxes and your parents are treating you is unfortunate. Much of it, based on what you've shared, sounds un-Christlike at best and sinful at worst. Either way, it's unfortunate.

2. To Christian, if they have any true devotion to the Lord, whether Catholic or evangelical, Christianity is an important part of their lives. It's important enough to instill those values and traditions in their children, hoping they'll be passed down from generation to generation.

3. Keep in mind where your parents and Caitlin's parents are coming from. I'm not justifying their behavior or attitudes, but remember, your parents feel like their son is lost; Mike and Ginny are scared of losing their daughter.

4. In this God or No God debate, there are two mounds of evidence. MOUNDS. They are perennial and ever-growing. You probably know more than the average Christian or agnostic, but my advice to anyone — including you — is to keep thinking and listening to both sides.

5. "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." As Neil deGrasse Tyson pointed out, 100% pure atheism is unreasonable (is that what he said?! haha). You could make the same argument for an adherent of any religion. However. At the end of the day, you could present me with endless evidence to support your conclusions, and I wouldn't agree with them. And honestly, if I did the same with you, it sounds like you wouldn't agree with my conclusions either.

All of this is a big deal, Matt. And it's crazy scary for your parents and Mike & Ginny. Try to look past the hypocritical and bigoted attitudes and see the sincere, terrified people. I'm thankful their faith is being tested. 

If you'd like, we can chat more on Saturday when Mandy and I come back to Republic.

Thanks for sharing this stuff with me. Praying for you.

And of course all of this stays between us four: you, me, Caitlin and Mandy. You have my word.

-Ben