Christopher Hitchens (1949-2011)

[Ryft]

Ryft there are some things you said in there that are appropriate. However you should also realize that there are a lot of people who have a great respect for Hitchens' life and legacy.

Of course I do realize that. After all, it is a little too obvious to miss. But perhaps more importantly, I am likewise one of those people. Although I did not place him on any sort of pedestal like a wide-eyed sycophantic fanboy, rather being quite open and honest about my criticisms of him, that does not detract from the respect I had for the man. I enjoyed tremendously his writing over the years—mostly his political views—and always found his speaking engagements captivating. (You do realize that he had been a prolific writer for decades before becoming an icon of antitheism after 2001, right? The latter arguably made him infamous, but I daresay his life and legacy is found in his political corpus.) Despite all the notable people who have passed away over the last few years, and all the Christian blogs that have had something to say about them (e.g., Steve Jobs), the death of Hitchens is the ONLY one that I have ever taken the time to acknowledge so publicly. I have nothing to say about those I care little about.

Saying it is unfortunate he was a rebellious sinner who loved sin is not going to be tolerated by many people with regards to Hitchens.

I understand, but I could not care less what intolerant people happen to think. Let them run their mouth; that speaks for itself.

The reason people have problems with your tribute isn't because you are a Christian but because you are inserting preaching into it and talking about Hitchens in a somewhat negative yet positive light.

Except that I did not insert any preaching into it. I simply offered my introspective on the passing of this iconic figure. It was informed and influenced by my theistic world view, obviously, but that does not qualify as "preaching" any more than someone offering an introspective that is informed and influenced by an atheistic world view. If I had turned from my personal reflections to instruct the reader, then it would be preaching. But it was simply my thoughts about Hitchens in the context of my world view. And as I indicated in my original post, and Summer later reminded people, it was written for the Aristophrenium and its audience. The only reason it appeared here is because Adrian requested me to post it here; and since he is a dear friend of mine, I consented—despite knowing what so many here would do to it.

I know that you are simply stating what you believe but please be sensitive to people and the situation. Now is not the right time to start making remarks about how Hitchens is a sinner.

I do believe I was sensitive, not only because I was one of those who mourned but also because I likewise cautioned people against being insensitive. Moreover, it utterly escapes me how identifying Hitchens as a sinner could be considered inappropriate—especially on an atheist message board. Unless atheists here are remarkably inconsistent (and perhaps that is what is being displayed here), my remark should not be any more insensitive than saying Hitchens was a muggle. "How insensitive!" Really?

"But we know what follows identifying him as a sinner: that he is now roasting in hell," you might reply (given what that lady said to you). To this I would have three responses. First, nowhere in my original post can I be found demonstrating any enthusiasm about Hitchens finding himself in hell. In fact, I call such a fate "a sad and sober thing" and chastise in strong terms "the Westboro Baptist type" who would. Second, I do not believe that people go to hell (or heaven) immediately upon their death, so that is not something I would ever say in the first place. Hitchens is dead and will remain so until the resurrection. And finally, even if someone did gleefully proclaim that Hitchens is now roasting in hell, shouldn't atheists consider that incoherent and harmless woo? Why would the fiction of superstitious Bronze Age goat-herders upset rational 21st century atheists? Inconsistencies.

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Guys, Adrian did ask him to repost it. Just so we're clear on that. The militant atheist creator of the site asked him to. Just sayin'.

Oh, and that's the other thing—it was reposted from a Christian website. ... This was never meant to be on this forum, but because Adrian shares an abiding friendship with Ryft he asked him to visit back again.

Thank you for that breath of rational fresh air, Summer... {hug}

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Huh? Did I wake up and this isn't a discussion forum any more?

This is one single thread, ElDinero. Just because I don't want to see this particular thread hijacked for a debate about this or that Christian belief, it does not somehow follow that the overall web site is no longer a discussion forum. If someone wants to debate me on something, there are countless places all over this web site to do that. Constraining one single thread does not a conspiracy make.