CNN Hitchens Cancer Interview

[Ashendant]

That is, why do atheists disbelieve in God because of the failing of the Church.

Quick answer, I've never gone to church (except on school trips and my uncle's wedding). I was an atheist long before I even knew of the word 'atheist', I have always been an atheist. So you can't say it's because of the church if I never went there. I don't believe in god, that is why I'm an atheist.
--

I think cancer would scare the hell out of anyone. The idea of one day waking up and finding a lump and then to go and have a doctor confirm your worst fears is something that some people would fall to the floor in dispare.

I'm not affraid of death. Since when dead, you won't even be aware that you had lived. You just won't exist anymore. It's the dying that scares me. Going too soon. I would be able to accept it more if I had lived my life but not when I'm still so very young. Existance is temporary, if only we could accept that.

If I had cancer, I would never jump to religion for help. I'd rather die with dignity than live with none.

Says you, i would love to be biologically immortal like those jellyfish, damm them how can i loathe those damm pests.

[Autumnlicious]

Says you, i would love to be biologically immortal like those jellyfish, damm them how can i loathe those damm pests.

And I'd like to be a Zerg. Pity how we can't get what we want.

[Ace Otana]

Says you, i would love to be biologically immortal like those jellyfish, damm them how can i loathe those damm pests.

Hey, just because I don't mind the idea of being dead doesn't mean I don't lust for endless existance. I just haven't deluded myself like a typical theist would.

I wish I could never die (which I think is better than going to some other realm altogether). Plus I wish I would become no older than 25. Forever alive and young. If there was a religion that offered endless life and that it actually does give you what it offers then without a doubt I would of converted ages ago. Thing is, no religion offers that. They offer endless existance (not life) after you are fucking dead!

By all means I like the idea of going on and on. Even if it's reincarnation where I reincarnate as a pair of knickers for a hot young virgin to wear and never take off.

Wishful thinking fellers, that's all it is. Wishful thinking.

[Autumnlicious]

One mans wishful thinking is another's cargo cult.

[Ace Otana]

One mans wishful dreams is another mans opportunity to take advantage.
Hence religion is so quick to take advantage. There is no avoiding death but then religion steps in offering a way out (afterlife). Though fails to show any kind of proof for it's claims. The fooled eventualy die with comforting beliefs to ease the pain and now the lights are forever off and the lies cannot be revealed as the dead remain dead and forever silent.

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

I'm sorry Chris is so ill,he's a far more valuable asset to humanity than to any vociferous,proselytising theist I can think of. (and I don't even especially like his polemic 'God Is Not Great')

I'm pretty scared of cancer,but more terrified of arterioscelosis and its accompanying dementia.I watched my father and grandfather die by inches with that condition.


Of course I'm afraid of dying, all animals are.I'm not afraid of being dead; it's not an experience.


PS: I notice there's a line through Edward's name. Is he banned? What did he do,besides being an irritating twat?

[leo-rcc]

PS: I notice there's a line through Edward's name. Is he banned? What did he do,besides being an irritating twat?

Sockpuppetry. He was Edward who was banned before.

[Peter44]

That is, why do atheists disbelieve in God because of the failing of the Church.

What sort of twisted logic is that?

Atheists do not believe usually because there is no evidence. No reason to believe.
They may also not believe because belief in a deity is not parsimonious as an explanation of creation.
Creation doesn't need a God we know how it happened
without having to resort to supernatural influence.

The Church any Church isn't an issue.

[everythingafter]

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/07/vi...d-atheism/

let's all (not) prey for him. He is awesome and hopefully he'll live to make do more interviews/books/debates/etc. Even if not his contributions were immense as is.
Kind of shocking to see him all bald after the kimo.

My stomach turned over when I heard the news. Although he's humble when describing his own writing abilities, he's one of the more brilliant writers and thinkers I've ever heard. And his debates with believers on YouTube are delicious. I think him describing cancer as an utterly boring exercise is classic Hitchens. Not even cancer can rattle the man's style. Here's hoping the chap pulls through and lives long enough to answer his brother's own apologetic work.

[theVOID]

He looks like shit, poor fucker.

There is a really good hour long interview with Charlie Rose:

http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/11168