A Message to Those Praying for Christopher Hitchens
A Message to Those Praying for Christopher Hitchens
On behalf of Christopher Hitchens, who thinks all of this skydaddy talk is ridiculous, thanks to all of you who wrote in to Goldblog to report that they would be praying for him as he undergoes treatment for esophageal cancer (you can hear him talk about his current predicament here). I would like to reiterate, of course, that Hitchens is still solidly atheist (strike that “still,” actually, because it implies his mind will change, which I don’t think will happen, at least, as he says, in reference to the mind we know today as Hitchens’s mind—what medicine does to his mind is a different story), but nevertheless I can report that he does not mock those who say they are praying on his behalf. What you could really, do, of course, if you’re interested in making Hitch happy, is buy this book.
As for the few of you who wrote to Goldblog to say they were praying for Hitch’s death, I can say that he does not care one way or another what you do or think or pray, but on behalf of myself and the entire team here at The Atlantic, let me just say, Go fuck yourselves.
I believe God will forgive me for that one.
Aug 10, 2010 @ 18:52:05
Right on, for that blog post! I will support Christopher Hitchens in his recovery; it would be a really sad day when one more human being of extraordinary intellect passes on, but that’s nature, and we can’t give life to anyone, so we are not in control.
As far as him possibly having “faith” to believe in something, he may do so, if he feels the “need” to believe. I’ve always thought religion should be best left for giving “hope” for those who are dying and those who are mourning. I know I needed religion for a while, but that was only because I’ve lost a close relative to this dreadful disease, cancer. But, after finding out the disgusting atrocities caused in the name of religion, I have absolutely no reason to believe in it anymore.
If Hitchens considers believing in a God (well, *if* medicine does affect his thinking), I would be at least be better off seeing him die as a Deist than a theist, because after all, Thomas Paine is one of his heroes, the man that revolutionized Deism and brought forth the Age of Enlightenment. It would make more sense to be a Deist, if Hitchens considers believing.
Stay strong, Hitch! We all love you!
Oct 20, 2010 @ 23:02:22
Dear Christopher,
I wish you a speedy recovery for if you should leave us I will greatly miss your voice of reason in an insane world. I love you deeply; you have I think more than anyone I know helped me hone my own thoughts and understand that not only am I not alone in thinking that religion does more harm than anything else created by man but that those mindless zealots that push the crap on the rest of us are evil more truly than Satan if such a nonsensical thing were to exist. I think I have generally concurred with every thing I have heard you say. Stick around buddy, we need you!
Dec 04, 2010 @ 02:51:06
The man has changed my life for the better. Nothing more to say,really.
Dec 12, 2010 @ 10:58:17
Dear Christopher,
I really cannot imagine this stupid religious world without a person like you. It will become HELL. After Voltaire and Thomas Paine I found my another personal hero – YOU. I wish you the best, Christopher, and, even thought I do not know you personally, I love you very much, as much as one can love another from reading a listening to his ideas.
I used to sleep with your book about Thomas Paine under my pillow :)and nowadays, I enjoy reading God is not great before sleeping as well…
Kill the cancer, you must win. Your admirer, Deist Karla