The Conversion of St. Paul (Ruben)
Posted on 10/14/2010 11:09:06 AM PDT by Kaslin
WASHINGTON -- Christopher Hitchens -- bald from cancer treatments, speaking between doctor's appointments -- has a special disdain for deathbed religious conversions. Appearing before a group of journalists organized by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public life, he criticized the pressures put on Tom Paine to embrace Christianity and the malicious rumors of faith that followed Charles Darwin's demise. "I've already thought about this a great deal, thanks all the same," he explained. The idea "that you may be terrified" is no reason to "abandon the principles of a lifetime."
At this event -- a joint appearance with his brother Peter, a Christian -- Hitchens applied those principles with typical vigor. His arguments on the political dangers of religion are strong. In Turkey or Russia, he notes, "'faith-based' is not a preface to something positive." In Iraq or Iran, a "secular" ruler would be cause for celebration. The alliance of faith and power is often unholy.
But Christopher Hitchens is weaker on the personal and ethical challenge presented by atheism: Of course we can be good without God, but why the hell bother? If there are no moral lines except the ones we draw ourselves, why not draw and redraw them in places most favorable to our interests? Hitchens parries these concerns instead of answering them: Since all moral rules have exceptions and complications, he said, all moral choices are relative. Peter Hitchens responded, effectively, that any journey becomes difficult when a compass points differently at different times.
The best answer that Christopher Hitchens can offer to this ethical objection is himself. He is a sort of living refutation -- an atheist who is also a moralist. His politics are defined by a hatred of bullies, whether Kim Jong Il, Saddam Hussein or the mullahs in Iran. His affections are reserved for underdogs, from the Kurds to Salman Rushdie. The dreams of totalitarians are his nightmares -- what W.H. Auden described as: "A million eyes, a million boots in line / Without expression, waiting for a sign." Even Hitchens' opposition to God seems less of a theological argument than a revolt against celestial tyranny.
All this fire and bleeding passion would seem to require a moral law, even a holy law. But Hitchens produces outrage, empathy and solidarity without it.
At close range, the pitiless controversialist is actually kind to people he could easily humiliate -- a category to which most of us belong. The ferocious critic of Christianity accepts and seeks the company of Christians. Friendship is a particular talent. One review of his memoir, "Hitch-22," described it as "among the loveliest paeans to the dearness of one's friends ... I've ever read."
In earlier times, without derision or irony, this would have been called "humanism," a delight in all things human -- in wit and wine and good company and conversation and fine writing and debate of large issues. Hitchens' joy and juice put many believers of my acquaintance to shame -- people for whom religion has become a bloodless substitute for life. "The glory of God," said St. Irenaeus, "is man fully alive." Hitchens would hate the quote, but he proves the claim.
Hitchens' career, character and illness have led to an unexpected development -- unexpected, one suspects, particularly to him. While he remains unmellowed, he has seen a flood of affection. His disdain for Christianity, his animus for Islam, can still offend. But we admire the vivid, irreplaceable whole.
Hitchens has now been given his most astounding assignment, a visit to what he calls in a Vanity Fair article "the sick country." His account is raw, honest and impressive. He reports "a gnawing sense of waste" and the loss of "chest hair that was once the toast of two continents."
"To the dumb question 'Why me?' the cosmos barely bothers to return the reply: Why not?" He is, in some ways, a particularly reliable, clear-eyed witness -- unclouded by sentiment, free from comforting illusions, even illusions I view as truths. It is like watching a man assault Everest with only a can opener and a Q-tip. There is honor in the attempt. And the longer the assignment continues, the better for all of us.
At the Pew Forum, Christopher was asked a mischievous question: What positive lesson have you learned from Christianity? He replied, with great earnestness: the transience and ephemeral nature of power and all things human. But some things may last longer than he imagines, including examples of courage, loyalty and moral conviction.
Maybe so, but he hasn’t come to the last five minutes of his life yet. As long as there is “life”, there is “hope” of a recovery - but at some point - time will be up.
What will be his choice then?
Bravado still in the face of eternity?
“Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men” (Matthew 12:31).
What is that unforgivable sin? To die without Christ - there is no second chance.
He can join his fellow atheists in a comfy warm place, Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Hitler, Pol Pot...
He is a hypocrite because he himself is a bully.
>> The idea “that you may be terrified” is no reason to “abandon the principles of a lifetime.”
Actually, fear of eternal punishment is a damn good reason (pun intended) to embrace Jesus as your savior. I pray that Hitchens will relent and do just that.
I have a lot of respect for him although I don’t agree with him on many things. I’d hate to see him lost forever.
At the moment of his life passing will he be expecting oblivion or holding out a slimer of hope for continuity?
Still offering prayers for him, mostly that he sees the light before it’s too late, or that he sees the light and is cured to become a witness to the wonder that is our savior, Jesus Christ.
I would not wish what he has on anyone. And I pray that whatever the outcome he does not suffer.
Through me you pass into the city of woe:
Through me you pass into eternal pain:
Through me among the people lost for aye.
Justice the founder of my fabric mov'd:
To rear me was the task of power divine,
Supremest wisdom, and primeval love.
Before me things create were none, save things
Eternal, and eternal I endure.
All hope abandon ye who enter here.
Such characters in colour dim I mark'd
Over a portal's lofty arch inscrib'd:
Whereat I thus: Master, these words import.
---Dante Alighieri
Well good.
He can go to Hell!
I think I knew I really really believed when I realized I did not wish anyone lost because that’s when I knew I understood exactly what was in store for those who went to their graves without that saving grace and it is not something I wish on anyone that I have ever known.
His destination has been traveled by many before him and will be traveled by many after him...I pray he has an epiphany!
The Conversion of St. Paul (Ruben)
To be given a deathbed is an incredible grace from the Almighty.
He says he hates bullies?
He took great pleasure in bullying Mother Theresa.
And bullied unmercifully people he didn’t like — like he was more right than God Almighty and anyone who was of another opinion was not just wrong, but worthy of his bullying.
As Bishop Sheen said, “An atheist is a person with no invisible means of support.”
The priest returns, and places oil on the dying man's forehead. Lord Marchmain uses his last strength to reach up to the oil. The narrator, Charles Ryder, panics and thinks that the man will angrily wipe the substance away -- but no! Lord Marchmain touches the oil, then makes the sign of the cross and passes on.
The priest leaves the room and says "I've often seen it go like that."
I'm not optimistic, but Hitchens is still worth praying for. (BTW I'm not Catholic, but I think "Brideshead" is a very fine book.)
I am always perplexed by all of the adulation regarding his intellect. Dinesh D’Souza hands him his ass in a basket every time they debate and he doesn’t even seem to be clever enough to notice.
My heart aches for the poor hyper-educated fool.
It’s not your call.
One must live and die withal the guide of granted conscience.
It may be biology, or a simple intellectual stub.
I respect Christopher Hitchens... he’s got a backbone - and principles... That said, God loves us - and I suspect HE believes in Christopher even if Christopher doesn’t believe in Him. Prayers for Christopher Hitchens... prayers for those who love him.
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