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Christopher Hitchens (view source)
Revision as of 16:34, December 16, 2011
, 16:34, December 16, 2011death - added new section and content
'''Christopher Eric Hitchens''' (April 13, 1949 - December 15, 2011) was a journalist, author and literary critic. Hitchens received degrees in 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 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 [[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 journalist, author and literary critic. Hitchens received degrees in 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 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 [[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 Hitchens was a member of the International Socialists and an active [[Trotskyist]] during his youth. Before his death he was "on the same side as the neo-conservatives," but does 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]].
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," but does 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 Iraq War simply because Iraqis were Muslim, which has been compared to endorsement of racially-motivated [[genocide]].
He was a harsh critic of [[Ronald Reagan]], and considered [[Henry Kissinger]] a [[war criminal]]. Mr. Hitchens was also known for having a history of heavy drinking.<ref>http://www.counterpunch.org/mccarthy02212003.html</ref>
He was a harsh critic of [[Ronald Reagan]], and considered [[Henry Kissinger]] a [[war criminal]]. Mr. Hitchens was also known for having a history of heavy drinking.<ref>http://www.counterpunch.org/mccarthy02212003.html</ref>
“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]]
“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]]
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==Death==
Christopher Hitchens died on December 15, 2011, the cause of his death was cancer which resulted from heavy drinking an smoking.
===Atheism and Hitchens' cancer==
The possiblity that Hitchens' unfortunate death from cancer could have been directly or indirectly influenced by his [[atheism]] remains open. In the indirect sense, it is known that the atheistic philosophy of apathy and the meaninglessness of life leads to vices and mental unwellness. Atheists and secular Americans are known to have higher rates of drug abuse (which in a broad sense could include smoking and drinking as well), and regular churchgoes are known to have much lower rates of mental illness and depression. The depression that atheism causes could easily result in using harmful matericalistic pleasures like tobacco and alcohol as a coping mechanism, since an avowed atheist like Hitchens would never consider seeking spiritual health, such attending a Christian church or looking for answers in the Bible. This provides much evidence that atheism could have been the roots of Hitchens' bad habits, which lead to his cancer death.
Whether Hichens' cancer death was influenced in any direct sense remains more uncertain. While a Christian should not speak directly for God, the Bible does show that, in specific instances, God has been known to punish sinners and the unrepentant with disease.<ref>http://bible.cc/acts/12-23.htm</ref> The Bible has also made it clear that those who wish evil on others deserve no better themselves, and as Hitchens praised the sad and gruesome death of Rev. Jerry Falwell, the possibility of divine retribution remains as well depending on a Christians interpretation of God's word and actions.
And on the flip side, God has been shown to bestow mercy on those who are sick and seek His help. The many stories of [[Jesus]] healing the blind, crippled, and ill are the first examples. Even during today's times, there have been claims of modern day miracles as well, such as the possible "curing" of a person's cancer by a Roman Catholic priest, through the power of prayer - something which Hitchens likely rejected to his deathbed. <ref>http://www.fox2now.com/news/ktvi-cancer-cure-miracle-vatican-071510,0,6569863.story</ref> Again it would be presumptuous for a Christian to speak directly on God's behalf, as is Hitchen's most obvious [[hell|eternal fate]] according to the Bible (for only God knows for a fact whether or not he repented on his deathbead) nevertheless the possibilities are a good topic of discussion among Christians and non-Christians alike.
==External links==
==External links==