13 April 1949 – 15 December 2011
With the death of Christopher Hitchens we lose a torch bearer of reason, wit, and intellect. Even religionists with whom he debated, and always bested, have chimed in with their acolades of respect... a rare occurance in the scientific age where the battle between reason and faith has reached its zenith.
Death be not proud. Hitchens faced it head on and never stooped to supernaturalism in fear, desperation or weakness. Not many like him will come his way again.
With the death of Christopher Hitchens we lose a torch bearer of reason, wit, and intellect. Even religionists with whom he debated, and always bested, have chimed in with their acolades of respect... a rare occurance in the scientific age where the battle between reason and faith has reached its zenith.
Death be not proud. Hitchens faced it head on and never stooped to supernaturalism in fear, desperation or weakness. Not many like him will come his way again.
We've lost one of the best among us. Goodbye old friend.
“Our belief is not a belief. Our principles are not a faith. We do not rely soley upon science and reason, because these are necessary rather than sufficient factors, but we distrust anything that contradicts science or outrages reason. We may differ on many things, but what we respect is free inquiry, openmindedness, and the pursuit of ideas for their own sake.” ― Christopher Hitchens, God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything
I did not agree with all of his positions, but the man could WRITE! His wit, sarcasm, knowledge and use of the English language was unsurpassed. He will be missed.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Bob. He was a tad too far right politically for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hump, I loved the guy too. I did not agree with all of his positions however he was spot on when it came to religion, just like you. We no longer have him but going forward we the wit, insight,fun and bulls eye observations from your blog. And by the way I loved your latest book.
ReplyDeleteGerard, you're waaay too kind. Glad you liked the book.
ReplyDeleteSad to hear. I liked him, his courtesy to others, his unwavering thought process, and his kindness to others who disagreed with him. May his rest, whatever that rest looks like, be peaceful for him, even if that means a simple, long, and dreamless sleep. He truly was a gentleman in all of the PBS inteviews I listened to him and articles/interviews that I read by him. Unlike other screming preachers (and yes, this applies to atheists, too), he got his point across without having to scream it nor defend it. May your kindness and unfendfulness be your legacy.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I admit it. I prayed NOT for your death or suffering and especially not an 'eternal burning' but as a Christfollower, it's what I do, just as you chose not to. The one thing we do/did have in common is that we have lived our lives true to ourselves.
Joyce, very eloquent. thanks.
ReplyDeleteIf people really had souls, Falwell's was so shriveled you could bury it in a box measured in microns.
ReplyDeleteStill. I confess I really wish that there really was some species of afterlife, where Hitchens and Sagan and Gould and others would not wholly die.
And in a sense, as long as they are remembered, they won't.
Atque in perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale.
I ordered a copy of "God is Not Great" today on Amazon. Got a copy of "The Atheist Camel Chronicles" as well. I am looking forward to reading them.
ReplyDeleteDavid,
ReplyDeleteHitches' is the better of the two...but you'll enjoy them both ;)
thanks.
Well said Hum. Well said.
ReplyDeleteTy, Mojoey.
ReplyDelete