Difference between revisions of "Christopher Hitchens"

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'''Christopher Eric Hitchens''' (April 13, 1949 - December 15, 2011) was a [[Journalism|journalist]], [[author]] and literary critic. Hitchens received a degree in PPE ([[philosophy]], [[politics]] and [[economics]]) from [[Oxford University|Balliol College]], [[Oxford]], in 1970. From 1971-1981, he worked in [[Britain]] as book reviewer for ''The Times'' newspaper.  He emigrated to the [[United States of America|United States]] in 1981, and has written regularly, or been a contributing editor for ''Harper's'', ''Vanity Fair'' and [[Nation (magazine)|''The Nation'']]. He was an avowed [[Marxist]], [[Atheism|atheist]] and [[Antitheism|antitheist]]. Hitchens has a younger brother, [[Peter Hitchens]], who is also a journalist, author and critic. Mr. Hitchens was one of the more prominent spokesperson for the [[New Atheism]] movement.
 
'''Christopher Eric Hitchens''' (April 13, 1949 - December 15, 2011) was a [[Journalism|journalist]], [[author]] and literary critic. Hitchens received a degree in PPE ([[philosophy]], [[politics]] and [[economics]]) from [[Oxford University|Balliol College]], [[Oxford]], in 1970. From 1971-1981, he worked in [[Britain]] as book reviewer for ''The Times'' newspaper.  He emigrated to the [[United States of America|United States]] in 1981, and has written regularly, or been a contributing editor for ''Harper's'', ''Vanity Fair'' and [[Nation (magazine)|''The Nation'']]. He was an avowed [[Marxist]], [[Atheism|atheist]] and [[Antitheism|antitheist]]. Hitchens has a younger brother, [[Peter Hitchens]], who is also a journalist, author and critic. Mr. Hitchens was one of the more prominent spokesperson for the [[New Atheism]] movement.
  
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Christopher Hitchens was a member of the International Socialists and an active [[Trotskyist]] during his youth.  Before his death he claimed to be "on the same side as the [[Neoconservatism|neo-conservatives]]," but did not consider himself a [[conservative]].  He supported [[George W. Bush|George W. Bush's]] foreign policy, but has a negative attitude towards Bush's support of [[intelligent design]]. Hitchens made himself unpopular, even among fellow atheists for his support of the Iraq War, which was motivated by his hatred of religion - in his own words, he supported the [[Operation Iraqi Freedom|Iraq War]] simply because [[Iraq|Iraqis]] were [[Islam|Muslim]], which has been compared to endorsement of racially-motivated [[genocide]].
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Christopher Hitchens was a member of the International Socialists and an active [[Trotskyist]] during his youth.  Before his death he claimed to be "on the same side as the [[Neoconservatism|neo-conservatives]]" concerning various military interventions, but did not consider himself a [[conservative]].  He supported [[George W. Bush|George W. Bush's]] foreign policy, but has a negative attitude towards Bush's support of [[intelligent design]]. Hitchens made himself unpopular, even among many fellow atheists for his support of the Iraq War, which was motivated by his hatred of Islamacists, Islamic terrorism, religion and his desire to see secularism advanced.<ref>Book Review: [http://inconvenienthistory.com/archive/2010/volume_2/number_1/christopher_hitchens_and_his_critics.php Christopher Hitchens and His Critics: Terror, Iraq and the Left], edited by Simon Cottee and Thomas Cushman, New York University Press, 365 pages, 2008. L.A. Rollins</ref><ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rj-eskow/hitchens-weak-defense-of-_b_69553.html Hitchens' Weak Defense of "Islamo-Fascism"] by
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Richard (RJ) Eskow, Huffington Post,  posted 10/23/2007</ref> 
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Hitchens displayed provocative rhetoric and bloodlust towards radical Islamacists.<ref>''UnHitched: The Trial of Christopher Hitchens''
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By Richard Seymour, Publisher: Verso; 1 edition (January 16, 2013), page 92</ref>  At the opening of the [[David Horowitz]] Freedom Center, Hitchens said of radical Islamacists, "It is a pleasure and a duty to kill these people".<ref>''UnHitched: The Trial of Christopher Hitchens''
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By Richard Seymour, Publisher: Verso; 1 edition (January 16, 2013), page 92</ref>  Hitchens said of Islamic [[Iran]], which engages in state-sponsored terrorism, "As for that benighted country, I wouldn't shed a tear if it was wiped off the face of this earth”.<ref>''UnHitched: The Trial of Christopher Hitchens'' By Richard Seymour, Publisher: Verso; 1 edition (January 16, 2013), page 92</ref>
  
 
He was a harsh critic of [[Ronald Reagan]], and considered [[Henry Kissinger]] a [[war criminal]].  
 
He was a harsh critic of [[Ronald Reagan]], and considered [[Henry Kissinger]] a [[war criminal]].  
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== Christopher Hitchens' debate against William Lane Craig ==
 
== Christopher Hitchens' debate against William Lane Craig ==
 
[[File:Hitchens 2010.jpg|thumbnail|250px|Christopher Hitchens in 2010]]
 
[[File:Hitchens 2010.jpg|thumbnail|250px|Christopher Hitchens in 2010]]
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Christopher Hitchens debated [[William Lane Craig]] at Biola University in 2009 in a videotaped debate.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KBx4vvlbZ8 Christopher Hitchens vs William Lane Craig - Does God Exist - 2009].</ref> The atheist Luke Muehlhauser wrote concerning the debate: "The debate went exactly as I expected. Craig was flawless and unstoppable. Hitchens was rambling and incoherent, with the occasional rhetorical jab. Frankly, Craig spanked Hitchens like a foolish child."<ref>[http://commonsenseatheism.com/?p=1230#sthash.mPNNrzlt.dpuf The Craig-Hitchens Debate] by Luke Muehlhauser on April 4, 2009 in Debates,Reviews,William Lane Craig</ref>
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Christopher Hitchens debated [[William Lane Craig]] at Biola University in 2009 in a videotaped debate.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KBx4vvlbZ8 Christopher Hitchens vs William Lane Craig - Does God Exist - 2009].</ref>  
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The atheist Luke Muehlhauser wrote concerning the debate: "The debate went exactly as I expected. Craig was flawless and unstoppable. Hitchens was rambling and incoherent, with the occasional rhetorical jab. Frankly, Craig spanked Hitchens like a foolish child."<ref>[http://commonsenseatheism.com/?p=1230#sthash.mPNNrzlt.dpuf The Craig-Hitchens Debate] by Luke Muehlhauser on April 4, 2009 in Debates,Reviews,William Lane Craig</ref>
  
 
== Unhealthy lifestyle and premature death ==
 
== Unhealthy lifestyle and premature death ==
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== Christian patience, forgiveness and long-suffering towards Christopher Hitchens ==
 
== Christian patience, forgiveness and long-suffering towards Christopher Hitchens ==
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''See also:'' [[Christian patience, forgiveness and long-suffering towards atheists]]
  
 
Although it is not reported in the press often, due the press preferring to focus on controversy and conflict, as it garners more viewership/readers, many Christians quietly pray for atheists/[[agnosticism|agnostics]] - even those of the [[militant atheism|militant variety]] such as [[Richard Dawkins]].<ref>[http://creation.com/dawkins-upset Richard Dawkins upset that public doesn’t like him] by Warren Nunn, Published by [[Creation Ministries International]] 13 May 2014 (GMT+10)</ref> The late atheist Christopher Hitchens had many Christians praying for him before he passed away and they were saddened when he died.<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/news/christians-grieve-death-of-christopher-hitchens-share-hopes-for-deathbed-conversion-65035/ Christians Grieve Death of Christopher Hitchens; Share Hopes for Deathbed Conversion] by Eryn Sun, ''Christian Post'' Reporter, December 16, 2011</ref>
 
Although it is not reported in the press often, due the press preferring to focus on controversy and conflict, as it garners more viewership/readers, many Christians quietly pray for atheists/[[agnosticism|agnostics]] - even those of the [[militant atheism|militant variety]] such as [[Richard Dawkins]].<ref>[http://creation.com/dawkins-upset Richard Dawkins upset that public doesn’t like him] by Warren Nunn, Published by [[Creation Ministries International]] 13 May 2014 (GMT+10)</ref> The late atheist Christopher Hitchens had many Christians praying for him before he passed away and they were saddened when he died.<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/news/christians-grieve-death-of-christopher-hitchens-share-hopes-for-deathbed-conversion-65035/ Christians Grieve Death of Christopher Hitchens; Share Hopes for Deathbed Conversion] by Eryn Sun, ''Christian Post'' Reporter, December 16, 2011</ref>
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*[[Richard Dawkins]]
 
*[[Richard Dawkins]]
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*[[Essay: Christopher Hitchens was a bloodthirsty barbarian|Christopher Hitchens was a bloodthirsty barbarian]] - satire
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==

Revision as of 02:55, October 13, 2015

Christopher Hitchens

Christopher Eric Hitchens (April 13, 1949 - December 15, 2011) was a journalist, author and literary critic. Hitchens received a degree in PPE (philosophy, politics and economics) from Balliol College, Oxford, in 1970. From 1971-1981, he worked in Britain as book reviewer for The Times newspaper. He emigrated to the United States in 1981, and has written regularly, or been a contributing editor for Harper's, Vanity Fair and The Nation. He was an avowed Marxist, atheist and antitheist. Hitchens has a younger brother, Peter Hitchens, who is also a journalist, author and critic. Mr. Hitchens was one of the more prominent spokesperson for the New Atheism movement.

Christopher Hitchens was a member of the International Socialists and an active Trotskyist during his youth. Before his death he claimed to be "on the same side as the neo-conservatives" concerning various military interventions, but did not consider himself a conservative. He supported George W. Bush's foreign policy, but has a negative attitude towards Bush's support of intelligent design. Hitchens made himself unpopular, even among many fellow atheists for his support of the Iraq War, which was motivated by his hatred of Islamacists, Islamic terrorism, religion and his desire to see secularism advanced.[1][2]

Hitchens displayed provocative rhetoric and bloodlust towards radical Islamacists.[3] At the opening of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, Hitchens said of radical Islamacists, "It is a pleasure and a duty to kill these people".[4] Hitchens said of Islamic Iran, which engages in state-sponsored terrorism, "As for that benighted country, I wouldn't shed a tear if it was wiped off the face of this earth”.[5]

He was a harsh critic of Ronald Reagan, and considered Henry Kissinger a war criminal.

Christopher Hitchens' debate against William Lane Craig

Christopher Hitchens in 2010

Christopher Hitchens debated William Lane Craig at Biola University in 2009 in a videotaped debate.[6]

The atheist Luke Muehlhauser wrote concerning the debate: "The debate went exactly as I expected. Craig was flawless and unstoppable. Hitchens was rambling and incoherent, with the occasional rhetorical jab. Frankly, Craig spanked Hitchens like a foolish child."[7]

Unhealthy lifestyle and premature death

See also: Atheism and health

Mr. Hitchens was known for having a history of heavy drinking and chain-smoking.[8][9] Christopher Hitchens was being treated for esophageal cancer which was likely caused by drinking and smoking up until his death on December 15, 2011.[10][11] Despite his esophageal cancer, when asked by interviewer Charlie Rose if in retrospect he would have engaged in heavy drinking and smoking knowing his present cancer condition, Hitchens said he think he would have done things the same.[12] Hitchens also had problems with being overweight during his life (see: Atheism and obesity and New Atheism leadership's problem with excess weight).[13] According to the National Cancer Institute, "obesity is associated with increased risks of cancers of the esophagus."[14]

Christian patience, forgiveness and long-suffering towards Christopher Hitchens

See also: Christian patience, forgiveness and long-suffering towards atheists

Although it is not reported in the press often, due the press preferring to focus on controversy and conflict, as it garners more viewership/readers, many Christians quietly pray for atheists/agnostics - even those of the militant variety such as Richard Dawkins.[15] The late atheist Christopher Hitchens had many Christians praying for him before he passed away and they were saddened when he died.[16]

Jesus Christ said pray for those who persecute you and love your enemies (Matthew 5:44).

Hitchens on bestiality

See also: Christopher Hitchens on bestiality and Atheism and bestiality and Evolutionary belief and bestiality

Bestiality is the act of engaging in sexual relations with an animal.

At the end of Christian apologist William Lane Craig vs. atheist Christopher Hitchens debate there was an audience question and answer period (see: VIDEO).[17] The first audience member to ask a question twice asked Christopher Hitchens to label bestiality as an immoral act, but he refused to do so.[18][19] Dr. Craig said the question posed to Hitchens was a good one and it helped illustrate that atheism cannot offer objective moral standards (see: Atheism and morality).[20]

Commenting on atheist Christopher Hitchens' refusal to condemn bestiality, the article Atheism: A religion of degenerates declared: " I feel sorry for all the sheep and little dogs who have been raped by depraved atheists because prominent atheists have refused to condemn bestiality."[21]

On August 12, 2012, an article entitled Atheism: A religion of degenerates declared:

“ Christopher Hitchens, who was an atheist and a drunkard, was arguably the most popular atheists in the 20th century and at the beginning of the 21st century as well. At the end of his debate with Christian apologists William Lance Craig, there was an audience question and answer period. During this question and answer period, twice Hitchens was asked to condemn bestiality, but he refused to do it each time he was asked.

The Bible teaches that bestiality is a perversion and, under the Old Testament Jewish Law, punishable by death (Exodus 22:19, Leviticus 18:23, Leviticus 20:15 and Deuteronomy 27:21). I feel sorry for all the sheep and little dogs who have been raped by depraved atheists because prominent atheists have refused to condemn bestiality. Atheism has no basis for objective morality so it is not surprising that atheist degenerates refuse to condemn bestiality.[22]

”

Hitchen's self-refutation of his irrational atheistic claims

Vox Day wrote:

“ In The Irrational Atheist, I noted that Christopher Hitchens had committed a marvelous exercise in self-evisceration when he declared that “what can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence”, then proceeded to pronounce no fewer than 52 different declarations, each of which was presented completely without evidence.[23] ”

PNN News and Ministry Network declared that Christopher Hitchens lead a wasted life

Pastor Carl Gallups is the founder of PNN News and Ministry Network

In a video entitled Christopher Hitchens - A Wasted Life the PNN News and Ministry Network declared:

“ In Mike Shoesmith's book The Atheists are Wrong: How Modern Atheism Ruins Everything there is an abundance of material refuting the entire life's work of Christopher Hitchens.

Hitchen's personified the wasted life. A life lived as a fool. To live as one who embraces the philosophy of naturalism is to live a wasted life void of any originally intended and designed significance. It is the most closed-minded philosophy imaginable. Such a description is the legacy of Christopher Hitchens - a wasted life. A life spent as one fighting the ultimate reality.

And just as all those who lived between the time Jesus walked the earth and now, it may be stated correctly, Christopher Hitchens died in 2011 A.D., the year of our Lord.[24]

”

Opposition to Islam and Support of the War on Terror

Christopher Hitchens became an activist against Islam when Ayatullah Kohmeini declared a fatwa against his personal friend Salman Rushdie. The event has led him to become very vocal in his support of the war in Iraq and heavily critical of Muslim society and ethics.

Insults toward Jerry Falwell

In a TV interview with Hannity and Colmes a day after Jerry Falwell's death, Christopher Hitchens expressed his anger over Falwell's legacy, calling the media coverage of his death uniform in its "stupidity" and calling Falwell himself a "vulgar fraud and crook"[25]. Hitchens went on to state such comments as "we have been rid of an extremely dangerous demagogue who lived by hatred of others and prejudice", "that it's a pity there isn't a hell for him to go to", "the evil he did will live after him", and "and I think his death is a deliverance" [25]. Hannity said that such comments were "crude", "thoughtless", "mean", and "hateful."

Select bibliography

  • Callaghan: The Road to Number Ten (Cassell, 1976)
  • Hostage to History: Cyprus From the Ottomans to Kissinger (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1989)
  • Imperial Spoils: The Case of the Parthenon Marbles (Hill and Wang, 1989)
  • Blood, Class and Nostalgia: Anglo-American Ironies (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1990)
  • The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice (Verso, 1995)
  • Prepared for the Worst (Hill and Wang, 1989)
  • For the Sake of Argument: Essays & Minority Reports (Verso, 1993)
  • No One Left to Lie To: The Values of the Worst Family (Verso, 2000)
  • God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything - outside the US, published with the alternate subtitle The Case Against Religion (Atlantic, 2007)

Some other titles include: “Letters to a Young Contrarian,” “The Trial of Henry Kissinger (2001)” and his memoir, “Hitch-22. [1]

“Stranger in a Strange Land”: In this piece that The Atlantic published two months after the attacks of 9/11, Hitchens summed up his break from the establishment left over the attacks and the war on terror that was then only beginning. Ibidem

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ Book Review: Christopher Hitchens and His Critics: Terror, Iraq and the Left, edited by Simon Cottee and Thomas Cushman, New York University Press, 365 pages, 2008. L.A. Rollins
  2. ↑ Hitchens' Weak Defense of "Islamo-Fascism" by Richard (RJ) Eskow, Huffington Post, posted 10/23/2007
  3. ↑ UnHitched: The Trial of Christopher Hitchens By Richard Seymour, Publisher: Verso; 1 edition (January 16, 2013), page 92
  4. ↑ UnHitched: The Trial of Christopher Hitchens By Richard Seymour, Publisher: Verso; 1 edition (January 16, 2013), page 92
  5. ↑ UnHitched: The Trial of Christopher Hitchens By Richard Seymour, Publisher: Verso; 1 edition (January 16, 2013), page 92
  6. ↑ Christopher Hitchens vs William Lane Craig - Does God Exist - 2009.
  7. ↑ The Craig-Hitchens Debate by Luke Muehlhauser on April 4, 2009 in Debates,Reviews,William Lane Craig
  8. ↑ http://www.counterpunch.org/mccarthy02212003.html
  9. ↑ Christopher Hitchens: Despite Cancer, I'd Drink & Smoke Again
  10. ↑ http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/07/video-extended-interview-hitchens-on-cancer-and-atheism/
  11. ↑ Why did Hitchens continue to smoke & drink during treatment? -CTV News
  12. ↑ Christopher Hitchens: Despite Cancer, I'd Drink & Smoke Again
  13. ↑ Picture of an overweight Christopher Hitchens smoking a cigarette
  14. ↑ National Institute of Health - Obesity and Cancer Risk
  15. ↑ Richard Dawkins upset that public doesn’t like him by Warren Nunn, Published by Creation Ministries International 13 May 2014 (GMT+10)
  16. ↑ Christians Grieve Death of Christopher Hitchens; Share Hopes for Deathbed Conversion by Eryn Sun, Christian Post Reporter, December 16, 2011
  17. ↑ Atheism and Bestiality - portion of Craig vs. Hitchens debate - audience participation period
  18. ↑ Atheism and Bestiality - portion of Craig vs. Hitchens debate - audience participation period
  19. ↑ Christopher Hitchens vs William Lane Craig - Does God Exist Debate
  20. ↑ Christopher Hitchens vs William Lane Craig - Does God Exist Debate
  21. ↑ Atheism: A religion of degenerates
  22. ↑ Atheism: A religion of degenerates
  23. ↑ Sam Harris and the epic self-evisceration
  24. ↑ Christopher Hitchens - A wasted life
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doKkOSMaTk4
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