Posted on 12/16/2011 7:32:57 AM PST by SeekAndFind
How can a conservative commentator and an orthodox Catholic like me possibly admire Christopher Hitchens?
He hated the Pope, smeared Mother Teresa viciously. He even published a book four years ago defending his militant atheism called God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. Then Christopher Hitchens debated around the world on that very topic. Then he co-wrote and edited a book about the debates.
In between those two books, there was a third one, about the war in Iraq and his support of it - which had caused him to break with many of the friends of his youth. All in all, Christopher Hitchens wrote 17 books, including his collected essays, Arguably, which was re-issued this year. He was 61.
I believe Hitchens' good deeds -- and if Hitchens was right, the only thing left of him now are his deeds -- more than compensated for his militant atheism and his occasional bad manners. Usually he was bitingly funny, even coruscating. Sometimes he was a good deal more than that.
Perhaps the best defense might be to say with Walt Whitman in Leaves of Grass:
Do I contradict myself?
Very well then, I contradict myself.
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)
First, there was the man's work ethic, already mentioned above. In fact, the book total doesn't do full justice to Christopher Hitchens' output. He was, for many years, a working journalist too. And a weekly columnist. After his move to the United States in 1981 -- and especially after the emergence of cable -- Hitchens also became a TV regular.
Then there's the quality of his stuff.
Christopher Hitchens was, in the best sense, a public intellectual -- but he was also un homme engage. Hitchens took part in the public controversies of his time.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
re: “Christopher Hitchens Is Dead.”
I wonder if the his post-death experience is all he hoped it would be or wouldn’t be?
Well, Hitchens is not an atheist anymore.
God Bless you, Chris - whether you like it or not!
I am Legion, for we are many.......................
This man should not be celebrated in the least. He dedicated his life to destroying the faith and souls of good people for simply believing something he didn’t.
I don’t respect him at all and I’m glad he can no longer corrupt people. People believe in varying degrees of faith and they are very much entitled to believe what they want. These so-called militant atheists are simply thought police of the worst kind, attempting to force others to believe their ideas or face ridicule and disgrace. Christians on the other hand in this day never force their beliefs on others.
I never feel glad that a misguided soul has died without the comfort of Our Lord. Unless he had a deathbed conversion, which I pray he did. If he didn’t, I don’t feel one bit of satisfaction that he has to live eternity in hell.
Unfortunately, according to the bible, they didn't. He could have done as many good deeds as Mother Theresa and they still wouldn't have, without faith.
I am not celebrating the man in the least. In fact, I have pointed out that he now cannot believe that there is no God.
RE: God Bless you, Chris - whether you like it or not!
Well, if he doesn’t like it, how can he obtain blessing?
‘There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says, in the end, “Thy will be done.” All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell ‘ (C.S. Lewis)
Who?
RIP Hitch...though I may not have always agreed with you, you were a man of principle. My prayers go to you in belief that you have now discovered where you were wrong.
I agree - well said.
That was the church, not the Christians.
Well said and I totally agree!!! If he didn’t have a death bed conversion I feel truly sad for him. I wouldn’t wish hell on anyone.
Then you are more loving and forgiving than is your God.
Surprised this hasn’t shown up:
“God is dead.” - Hitchens
“Hitchens is dead.” - God
And now he knows the Truth
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.