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===Atheism and Hitchens' cancer===

===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.

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{{cn}}^{This is [[nihilism]]!} leads to vices and mental unwellness{{cn}}. Atheists and secular Americans are known to have higher rates of drug abuse{{cn}} (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{{cn}}. The depression that atheism causes{{cn}} 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 as 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 death{{cn}}.

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.  

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.