Christopher Hitchens (1949-2011)

[Erinome]

Christopher Hitchens was a better writer and speaker, and a more moral person than the Jesus Christ as described in the bible. He never even speculated that anyone would be eternally condemned for anything, and I know no follower of Jesus who can honestly say the same. The world is a better place because he existed, and he is immortal as long as his legacy of literature remains on this earth for future generations to read.


There's my introspection.

[Minimalist]

Hitchens' reputation must be defended, Summer, from the ignorant and intolerant who glory in his death and use the occasion to try to paint him as somehow repentant for dissing their fucking superstitions. Recall the words of Robert Green Ingersoll.

Orthodox Christians have the habit of claiming all great men, all men who have held important positions, men of reputation, men of wealth. As soon as the funeral is over clergymen begin to relate imaginary conversations with the deceased, and in a very little while the great man is changed to a Christian -- possibly to a saint.

[Erinome]

I've noticed Christians are talented at finding relations between things that don't relate, and seeing reasons and meaning for things that aren't there... as long as it compliments their beliefs. This is how many of them bribe themselves into being self-righteous.

[Forsaken]

I've noticed Christians are talented at finding relations between things that don't relate, and seeing reasons and meaning for things that aren't there... as long as it compliments their beliefs. This is how many of them bribe themselves into being self-righteous.

Exactly.

Some are actually using the illness/death of Christopher Hitchen's as a proof that God exists. Really twisted logic, IMO.

[Blam!]

"As I’ve continued to reflect on Hitchens’ death, I realized there was an ironic and sobering possibility: that some Christians, contrary to the loving posture that Jesus taught us, could actually be celebrating his death." -Carson

Already happening. I've seen disrespectful comments of Christians on Internet such as youtube, forums and things. Apparently, Some of Christians are celebrating over Hitchens' death.

Douche bags.

[Epimethean]

"As I’ve continued to reflect on Hitchens’ death, I realized there was an ironic and sobering possibility: that some Christians, contrary to the loving posture that Jesus taught us, could actually be celebrating his death." -Carson

Already happening. I've seen disrespectful comments of Christians on Internet such as youtube, forums and things. Apparently, Some of Christians are celebrating over Hitchens' death.

Douche bags.

Well, ever since they were forced to give up burning witches, they've been trying their talents at other sorts of flaming.

[ElDinero]

Oh wow, Eld. Just wow. Blow everything I say out of freakin' proportion, straw man it up.

That response was beneath you.

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For one, my prince, no one ever goddamn said you couldn't disagree with what he wrote. I was only reminding a few people of what he intended this thread to be. If you don't like it, don't post in it. If you have a problem with what he said, make a new thread. I do believe regular members have that power. But if someone requests that a thread take a certain tone or direction, we can and have directed members to move their related discussions elsewhere.

Or is it because I politely asked on a Christian's thread?

So in what sense was I strawmanning you? You're saying to make a new thread if we want to disagree with what has been put (as I said in my last post - not a straw man at all), which is stupid. So can I make that thread and call it 'Disagreeing with Ryft's stupid Hitchens thing' and demand that nobody disagree with that point of view in my thread, and if they wish to dispute what I've written, tell them to make ANOTHER new thread? It is absolutely absurd.

It's pretty ridiculous that you're even saying, on a discussion forum, 'if you don't like it, don't post in it'. Surely this defeats the entire purpose of the place?

Speaking of a straw man, it's got literally nothing to do with it being a Christian that posted it (except in the sense that an atheist would never have posted this). I've called out my fair share of atheists on various issues here, so if you're trying to paint me as someone who indiscriminately hunts down theists for the sake of it, you're wrong.

[KichigaiNeko]

All in all..... the world has lost an intelligent, caring and articulate person for the rights of humanity.

Religious people will suffer the most from Hitchen's departure. I am glad his suffering (such as it was with his illness) is finished.

[Faith No More]

I didn't self-identify as an atheist until I read 'God is not Great' and I didn't even know who Christopher Hitchens was when I first read it. I just stumbled upon the book while browsing a book store and thought it would be a good read. While I liked what the book had to say, it was really Hitchens' ability to articulate that really impressed me. The world lost an articulate, outspoken atheist, a great debater, but most of a all, a great writer.

[DeistPaladin]

Nobody of course knows what will be his ultimate fate other than the fact that, like everyone else, he will stand before the judgment throne of God.

...and we "know" this how?

It is unfortunate that he cultivated such an atheistic celebrity because it practically cemented his obdurate rebellion against God and repentance.

Atheism isn't a rebellion against God. Atheists do not believe in God. If he were a Satanist, you could say he was rebelling against God. The above statement also hints that he might have repented but for his celebrity status. Were that his primary motive, that he valued his celebrity status over honest expressions of his beliefs, he could have publicly repented and enjoyed a lucrative career as an apologist.

Don't Strobel, McDowell and others claim to be "ex-atheists"?

So worried was Hitchens about the potential for reports of a deathbed confession that he crafted in advance a narrative to combat that sort of thing.

Your point? Some people are frightened of death. This is one of the primary reasons why religion exists in the first place. Additionally, people are known to have hallucinations in their last days, both of a reassuring and terrifying nature. His fear that he might not be in his right mind and that Christian apologists would seize on that is a valid concern.

...if he went from loving sin and hating God to loving God and hating sin, ...

Atheists don't hate God. You don't hate something unless you think it exists. I'm not sure what you mean by "loving sin".

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Joe Bloe and Norfolk And Chance,

None of your statements or questions have anything to do with either Christopher Hitchens or an introspective about the life or legacy of that iconic figure. Out of respect for Hitchens and those of us who mourn the loss of him, please do not hijack this thread.

You post claims, we question them. That's how this works.