Daniel Peterson Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 It's been reported that Christopher Hitchens, who was suffering from esophageal cancer, has died.He was a very talented polemicist and writer, and will be missed.I trust that he's already had a very, very big surprise, and I wish him well. Link to comment
KevinG Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 I put odds on his first thoughts in the afterlife being "I don't believe it!" Rest in Peace - prayers for the family. Link to comment
Calm Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Hopefully he's pleasantly surprised. Link to comment
Duncan Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Hopefully he's pleasantly surprised.I am sure he is and now THAT is a reality show I would want to watch!! (not to be making fun off his demise) Link to comment
Nevo Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 I liked him.I'm very sorry to hear he's gone. Link to comment
cinepro Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16212418 Link to comment
Duncan Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16212418I should say so! Link to comment
cinepro Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 I trust that he's already had a very, very big surprise, and I wish him well.But it's probably a somewhat happy surprise. Considering the alternative... Link to comment
Duncan Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 But it's probably a somewhat happy surprise. Considering the alternative... reincarnation as someone living in Alberta? Link to comment
blackstrap Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Now,now ,Duncan! Let's be tolerant of the less fortunate. Link to comment
Duncan Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Now,now ,Duncan! Let's be tolerant of the less fortunate.I guess...! Link to comment
blackstrap Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Perhaps he will be allowed the pleasure of sitting in outer darkness for a while to acclimatize with his world view. Then just a little light at a time. Link to comment
Sine Saw Square Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 I knew he'd been fighting cancer but was unaware of how serious it was. Bit of a shock. I enjoyed listening to him in interview and debate though often in disagreement. He was very talented and thought provoking. Link to comment
Daniel Peterson Posted December 16, 2011 Author Share Posted December 16, 2011 I met him in Las Vegas three or four years ago, at an event there where both of us participated in (separate) debates. He was a very effective and articulate speaker.There are actually a few areas where we agreed. I always enjoyed hearing or reading him. Link to comment
Libs Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 I enjoyed watching him debate. He had a good sense of humor and was very bright and articulate. He will be missed.. Link to comment
Gohan Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Hope his family's doing all right in the wake of his passing, I'd missed on the fact he was sick at all. Link to comment
why me Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 The british edition of his memoirs had a cover of him as a young man smoking a cigarette. This edition was planned before he was diagnosed with cancer. It was a little ironic to see that cover when the news came out at about the same time the book was published that he was diagnosed with cancer.Hitchens did much in his later life to lead people away from god. And he was very effective and in death he will continue to be effective. A couple of books have been published by him in his last couple of years about atheism. And recently his essays were just published.His death is a shock because there was nothing in the news about him being in a bad way. Link to comment
why me Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 I enjoyed watching him debate. He had a good sense of humor and was very bright and articulate. He will be missed..I remember when I was younger I would read his articles in The Nation. But when the Iraq war was in its womb, he began to support the start of war against Iraq. The progressives were very disappointed in him for switching sides. I think that he will be missed by the atheists. And maybe he will be missed by the progressives. But I am not sure that the EVs will miss him or for that matter religious people in general.Also, when he wrote a small book about Mother Theresa and the Missionaries of Charity that she founded, he entitled that book "The Missionary Position". It wasn't his finest moment.But all in all, I think that Hitchens had a good heart especially when he was leftwing, writing for The Nation. Link to comment
thesometimesaint Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 blackstrap:Why would you say such a thing. There is no indications that Mr. Hitchens in this life ever heard the Restored Gospel in full, was ever a member of the Church, ever had the Heavens opened up to him, and knew for a fact that Jesus is the Christ, then rejected that testimony of the Holy Ghost.No doubt that Mr. Hitchens is now receiving quite an education right now, as we all will when we pass beyond The Veil. Link to comment
zerinus Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 It's been reported that Christopher Hitchens, who was suffering from esophageal cancer, has died.He was a very talented polemicist and writer, and will be missed.I trust that he's already had a very, very big surprise, and I wish him well.There is an interesting video clip of an interview with him about his cancer and imminent death in this BBC news report:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16212418Scroll down the page to see the video. Link to comment
LeSellers Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 There is no indications that Mr. Hitchens in this life ever heard the Restored Gospel in full, was ever a member of the Church,I believe it was Hitchens who said something like, "Whatever probability you assign to Jesus' return, you must believe it somewhat less likely that he [sic] would have a summer house in Missouri."Lehi Link to comment
blackstrap Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 My mistake. I should have just said darkness. Outer Darkness is not for him. Link to comment
Sethbag Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 I believe it was Hitchens who said something like, "Whatever probability you assign to Jesus' return, you must believe it somewhat less likely that he [sic] would have a summer house in Missouri."LehiThat was Sam Harris.I really mourn the passing of Christopher Hitchens. Over the years I've done a lot of projects in my basement mancave, and during those times, in addition to what Hitchens I've read, I probably listened to, or watched, just about every appearance, debate, speech, etc. of his that exists on the Internet. I dug his mind, and his wit, even when I didn't agree with something he said. I'm really bummed out that he's gone now."No doubt" he's receiving his comeuppance in the Spirit World right now eh? Yeah, no doubt indeed. Link to comment
supersnail Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Even as a hardcore atheist for years I could see the value of religion for many people and was never taken with Hitchens' rhetoric.It's hard to condemn anyone for what they believe, even when they are defaming religious minorities. Despite his atheism, Hitchens endeared himself to many mainstream Christians.I don't know everything Hitchens thought or everything he did. He will receive according to the desire of his heart.I do believe nobody will suffer eternally just for an idea they had or didn't have in their head. Many people who die as atheists will no doubt be pleasantly surprised and even receive a celestial glory. Atheists differ in their actions. Hitchens may or may not be a very good example of atheism that has redeeming value. If Hitchens is representative of atheism (which he arguably is not), it is difficult for me to see the point of not being a theist. Link to comment
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