The late, great Christopher Hitchens on religion, but in this case, I think he may have been slightly off the mark. Perhaps this is correct regard to when religion becomes a problem?
Christopher Hitchens »
Timmy tells Mr. Deity that Hitch has arrived at the Pearly Gates.
This is one of the many reasons I have little to no respect for religion.
Unable to win a debate with the man when he was alive, unable to refute his logic, unable to prove anything of substance about their religion, they simple have to have the last word after he passes away by making yet more untenable claims.
What makes this even worse is that this pompous, self-ingratiated idiot, couldn’t even spell Hitch’s name correctly.
Rev. Hon. Fred Nile ED., L.Th., M.L.C.
Parliamentary Leader, Christian Democratic Party Parliament House, Macquarie Street, SYDNEY NSW 2000
Telephone: (02) 9230 2478 | Facsimile: (02) 9230 2098 Email: f.nile@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Media Release
Christopher Hitchins No Longer An Atheist
Tuesday, 20th December 2011
The Rev Fred Nile MLC, Leader of the Christian Democratic Party, has expressed his condolences and sympathy over the suffering and finally the death, from cancer, of Christopher Hitchins.
“However, whatever his beliefs in those last minutes as a proud atheist, Mr Hitchins is no longer an atheist” said Rev Nile.
As the Word of God, the Holy Bible, states “for we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ so then each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
“It is a pity Christopher Hitchins’ brilliant mind could not have been used, like his brother, to point humanity towards Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of Almighty God.
“Atheists enjoy philosophical arguments about the existence of God, but avoid confronting Jesus Christ – the Way, the Truth and the Life in Whom Almighty God has revealed himself to a needy world” said Rev Fred Nile.
The English language does not contain nearly enough adjectives in the positive for a man that mastered it. Christopher Hitchens owned the English language in such a way that mastery is an unfitting term. Not only did he always point his intellectual compass toward truth and his morals toward the improvement of the human condition, he conveyed his ideas in such a way as to inspire us to greatness. The man may have died, but the ideas, the writings, and the spoken words will live long after.
A polemicist like no other, he hated the consensus. He taught us to challenge strongly held beliefs and ideals. He made us cherish the human race and the solidarity that binds us together, E Pluribus Unum. He fought against evil and never backed down from a challenge. He slaughtered sacred cows in the presence of their owners. He looked death in the face and was never afraid even without the comforts of religion. He told us that religion poisons everything. His ideas are an antidote that we should prescribe to a society that cherishes the poison that he lamented.”The Hitch” gave us so many remarkable quotes:
“That can be asserted without proof can be dismissed without proof.”
“Princess Diana is the perfect metaphor for a land mine: easily laid, difficult and expensive to get rid of.” -out of context
“If he was given an enema, he could be buried in a matchbox.” -About Jerry Falwell’s death
“Don’t go loving my enemies, go love your own. My enemies are the theocratic fascists and I want them destroyed.”
These are a few favorites among a volume that could fill a bookshelf. He made a living by thinking up the contrary. In most cases the “Au Contraire” opinion was the one better reasoned. He made the religious and the credulous his enemy and befriended those who fought for reason, science, and better life. He never cared whether offense was taken, as taking offense is not an argument. When Christopher Hitchens had an argument with you, you were made to look a fool. Let us pour a glass of Johnnie Walker Black (accept no substitutes) and toast a man that represents the best of human thinking. People may die, but ideas live on. Especially the best of them.
To Hitch:
As I’m sure he would have wanted it, I ask that you raise a glass to mark the passing of Christopher Hitchens (1949–2011)
He had been battling esophageal cancer since spring of 2010, so while his passing comes as no surprise, it goes without saying that the atheist community and indeed the world has lost a much needed voice and his passing is a great loss to us all.
We all know what Christopher stood for, so instead of writing a long essay here I would ask that you honor him by sharing your favorite quote, Hitchslaps and other memories in the comments.
){kind=link}
