Pray for Hitchens day

[Minimalist]

God must be punishing him.

Well, it seems that when 'god' wants to punish people he kills off a lot of people who are close to them...showing once and for all that the people who created god were a bunch of sick fuckers.

[solja247]

The way the English-born Hitchens sees it, the people praying for him break down into three basic groups: those who seem genuinely glad he's suffering and dying from cancer; those who want him to become a believer in their religious faith; and those who are asking God to heal him.

Hitchens has no use for that first group. "'To hell with you' is the response to the ones who pray for me to go to hell," Hitchens told AP.

He's ruling out the idea of a deathbed change of heart: "'Thanks but no thanks' is the reply to those who want me to convert and recognize a divinity or deity."

It's that third group — people who are asking God for Hitchens' healing — that causes Hitchens to choose his words even more carefully than normal. Are those prayers OK? Are they helpful?

"I say it's fine by me, I think of it as a nice gesture. And it may well make them feel better, which is a good thing in itself," says Hitchens.

But prayers for his healing don't make him feel better.

Not all Christians are praying for him to die! I think its rather sad that he is dying. Atheist or not, its a tragic. Although I dont believe that people are healed from cancer, through prayer, I think its a nice thing...

[Minimalist]

People are not healed from anything by prayer.

[Zen Badger]

From the comments column...

""Philosophy is like being in a dark room looking for a cat. Metaphysics is like being in a dark room looking for a cat that isn't there. Theology is like being in a dark room looking for a cat that isn't there and shouting, "I found it!"

Lol.

Why is it that people like Hitchens and Pratchett(Alzeimers) go so soon and arseholes like pope sidious and the like seem to last forever?

[Skipper]

People are not healed from anything by prayer.

Of course they are! Many people have been healed of bad backs and other naturally healing problems via prayer!! The medical help the receive is of course nothing to do with it!

[chatpilot]

16 There are six things that Yahweh hates, seven that he abhors:
17 a haughty look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that weaves wicked plots, feet that hurry to do evil,
19 a false witness who lies with every breath, and one who sows dissension among brothers. Proverbs 6:16-19 (NJB)

Christians are notorious for lying, they have done it throughout history by falsifying ancient documents and manipulating history. Today in the evangelical circles you hear evangelist talking about them having raised people from the dead and healed them of all sorts of maladies that are incurable. Based on the above text then God must hate the entire Christian church!

[Minimalist]

People are not healed from anything by prayer.

Of course they are! Many people have been healed of bad backs and other naturally healing problems via prayer!! The medical help the receive is of course nothing to do with it!

[tackattack]

At least Hitchens realizes not all Christians have some dubious motive.

"Taunton is among those praying for Hitchens, and Hitchens takes no offense.

The way the English-born Hitchens sees it, the people praying for him break down into three basic groups: those who seem genuinely glad he's suffering and dying from cancer; those who want him to become a believer in their religious faith; and those who are asking God to heal him."

I think he'd be disappointed at the sweeping generalizations and assumptions flying through this thread. All that is besides the tons of Christians and Churches who donate to cancer research, what disgusts me is intolerance, bigotry and hate.

[Live_free]

I just think it would be nice if he posted a PO box or his address somewhere, so atheists and fans can send him mail. Not that he will ever read most of it just so he understands how much he is loved and how much respect he has.

Yes, but what do you think the CHRISTIANS would do?

Mostly I think they would be respectful, but even if they weren't I don't think he would care rather just laugh at their stupidity.

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

I just think it would be nice if he posted a PO box or his address somewhere, so atheists and fans can send him mail.

Nice for whom? The man is terminally ill . He may well be indifferent to what some stranger wants,I know I am..