Posted on 12/17/2011 2:07:50 PM PST by nuconvert
I have several recollections of Christopher Hitchens, who died yesterday at the age of 62.
The first is when I served in the George W. Bush White House and, in the first term, invited Christopher to speak to the White House staff. He spoke very well, of course, but what I most recall are a couple of things that occurred before the speech. The first is standing with him outside of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. He had gone out to smoke, which wasn’t unusual — and he confided to me that he was nervous, which was. The words “Christopher Hitchens” and “nervous” don’t usually belong in the same sentence. He also wore a tie, which he indicated to me he hadn’t done in years — and, he told me, he had gotten his shoes shined before the speech, which he didn’t recall ever having had done.
It wasn’t hard for me to fit the pieces together. Christopher felt it was an honor for him, a British citizen, to speak at the White House. For all his reputation for being a bon vivant, an iconoclast, and a man not known for his devotion to protocol, he was in fact quite moved to be a guest at one of the great symbols of American democracy. It was, I thought, something of a touching moment.
(Excerpt) Read more at commentarymagazine.com ...
Good to see a sensible and accurate post out of you.
Non sequitur
If the universe is governed by reason, isn’t atheism too simple?
Infinitely so, I think. ;>)
“For those who admire Mr. Hitchens, I recommend going to the Guardian newspaper. There’s a wonderful article written by Ian McEwan (I believe), his best friend, about his final days in a Houston hospital.
The man had guts!!!”
Thanks. I just read it.
Here’s the link for anyone else interested ...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/dec/16/christopher-hitchens-appreciation-by-ian-mcewan
Many of the posts here remind me that one of the great things about the 1st Amendment is that it helps normal people identify the ... screwballs.
The spirit of the word I believe teaches don't be a hypocrite, because if you are it will come back on you. I don't think we're NOT to judge, we just have to be careful to not judge unjustly.
If we could not judge no one would be guilty of crimes...you have to use judgment wisely.
I concur. I but as fallen humans, I think it’s very dangerous to judge.
Don’t start I get tired of kicking your ass.
Really, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.
Its so good of you to dance on his grave while God may be mourning the loss of a soul his son died for...I say maybe, cause none of us sit in the judgement seat no matter how we think we deserve to sit there...Scouts out! Cavalary Ho!
The more I think about this the more I'm wondering if even know the correct definition of the phrase: "To Judge."
Better an honest atheist than a phony believer.
You are right but Jesus gave several warnings about those that think they will be with him and those that think they won't....those that thought they belonged to him, he said get away from me your workers of iniquity....I was hungry and you fed me not, naked and you clothed me not etc. But they reported we cast out devils in your name etc...it did them no good. I have the paraphrase backward but I am sure you who know the bible so well have read it...
And those that the pseudo righteous thought should be in hell he welcomed into his kingdom....
To those christians that love to hate the sinner beware. There are several warning Christ said in the gospels... You rejoice while Christ grieves if these souls are lost...shame on you.. GG
This is incongruous. If Christopher was right that he has simply ceased to exist (no soul, just oblivion). If Christopher was wrong then there is no way he could be at peace. So what do you believe?
Yes he did. Back in 1999, with Alan Keyes and Larry Klayman.
Nope. I’m strictly a man of reason.
I absolutely grieve for those who reject God.....and have stated this time and again.
There is nothing more horrible or final than separation for eternity!
But I also respond to people who try to water down or compromise the Gospel.
Believe what you will...but you have totally misunderstood my posts.
“FOR IT IS APPOINTED ONCE FOR MAN TO DIE, AND THEN THE JUDGEMENT.”
Cancer forces us to face the end with pressing urgency.
Did he repent?
If Not then, Sadly....He will Burn in Hell, Forever.
In the end it is Hitchens choice if he runs to Him or runs from Him. However that does not change the fact that God loves us. Some mix up the two. He can love us and still allow us to reject Him if we choose. We get what we want, those who want God will receive God, forever, those who want themselves will receive themselves, forever.
I hope at the last he chose wisely.
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