Author and journalist Christopher Hitchens has in his 58 years traveled it seems about everywhere, and has amassed a thorough knowledge of the world today and its history. Of the writers who have recently published works assailing religion, including Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion) and Sam Harris (The End of Faith,) Hitchens may be the most literary. Dawkins is an evolutionary biologist and Harris has a degree in philosophy and is working toward a doctorate in neuroscience.
It is not easy to "peg" Hitchens into any particular hole. While he is an avowed atheist and opposes the Bush administration's fundamentalist leanings, he is not clearly a political liberal and supports the U.S. incursion into Iraq. Hitchens has elucidated his hatred for what he calls "fascism with an Islamic face" but harbours a visceral dislike of Bill Clinton, owing to what Hitchens believes were a number of glaring failures during Clinton's tenure in the White House, not to mention character flaws in Clinton, the man.
In God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything, Hitchens has put together an intelligent and methodical dismantling of religion. He opens with the story of a childhood teacher, a Mrs. Jean Watts, who inadvertantly brought Hitchens' own belief to a crashing halt by first exalting nature as God's great creation saying "So you see, children, how powerful and generous God is. He has made all the trees and grass to be green, which is exactly the color that is most restful to our eyes." But then, much to young Hitchens' consternation she continues, "Imagine if instead, the vegetation was all purple, or orange, how awful that would be." At age nine, Christopher Hitchens knew that his teacher had "managed to get everything wrong in just two sentences. The eyes were adjusted to nature, not the other way around."
This seemingly minor event sent Hitchens on a life-long journey of revelation regarding all things religious. As he matured, he found many things regarding the existence and nature of God just didn't ring true. He wondered "Why, if god was the creator of all things, were we supposed to "praise" (Hitchen's quotation marks) him so incessantly for doing what came naturally? ... If Jesus could heal a blind person he happened to meet, then why not heal blindness? ... With all this continual prayer, why no result?"
When Hitchens was thirteen, the headmaster of his school during a "no nonsense talk" with Hitchens and some fellow students stated, "You may not see the point of all this faith now,...but you will one day, when you start to lose loved ones." At this Hitchens was indignant. "Why, that would be as much as saying that religion might not be true, but never mind that, since it can be relied upon for comfort. How contemptible."
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Aaron Fleming
Good review.
Just a note, Hitchens doesn't oppose the US incursion into Iraq, in fact he's been a vociferous advocate of the action.
2 - Baritone
Aaron,
Of course, you are correct. I must have suffered a brain fart at that point in the process. Hitchens is, as I noted, not easy to "peg." Some of his positions confound me, but I am solidly aligned with his views on religion.
TLS
3 - Baritone
I was perplexed by Aaron's comment and went back and checked out the text of this review on my blog. The second paragraph above should have read as follows:
It is not easy to "peg" Hitchens into any particular hole as it were. While he is an avowed atheist he is not clearly a political liberal. He opposes the Bush administration's fundamentalist leanings but supports the US incursion into Iraq. Hitchens has elucidated his hatred for what he calls "fascism with an Islamic face" but harbours a visceral dislike of Bill Clinton owing to what Hitchens believes were a number of glaring failures during Clinton's tenure in the White House, not to mention character flaws in Clinton, the man.
Sorry for any confusion on this point. Sometimes the editing process on these things gets out of hand. There are times when I should leave well enough alone.
Baritone
Oh, and ignore the TLS signature in the comment above. That's me in another incarnation.
4 - Aaron Fleming
No problem, I had an inkling it was a minor mistake such as that.
I've noticed a general trend recently concerning Hitchens, a bunch of prevalent opinions along the line of "Like his view on religion, just a shame about that whole Iraq business." Well, that is to say, opinion on the left, and a stance which I naturally agree with. Even though he argues for the Iraq war better than anyone else (not difficult considering the chaps in power), he nevertheless fails to justify the action. Still, we can take solace with this recent deluge of Hitchens mania which has featured, amongst others, some brilliant moments on Hannity & Colmes.
5 - Baritone
I've missed the latter, unfortunately.
Hitchens is presently at a rather high plateau in his public exposure. I agree with you concerning Iraq. As horrendous as Saddam's regime was, and how much worse his sons were, from any kind of logical perspective, the US incursion into that country was neither necessary nor smart. At least under Saddam, Iraq was relatively stable. It is quite possible that his regime may well have collapsed under its own weight eventually.
While Saddam maintained an iron rule, the infrastructure of his country was deteriorating at a rapid rate as witness their dilapidated oil industry. It operated just efficiently enough to keep Saddam's pockets full of cash. The country was falling apart.
It is fun to see Hitchens in operation, though. He is so well informed, and has such a mastery of the language, that few can match him in a head on confrontation.
As much as I loathe William F. Buckley, Jr. (he still defends Sen. Joe McCarthy and the House Committee on Unamerican Activities,) he too has (or perhaps, had) a great facility with language and was, for the most part well schooled. There wasn't anything about which he didn't have an opinion. It was often fun to watch him joust with, say Gore Vidal who, in his day could hold his own against him.
I prattle on.
Baritone
6 - mojo
I enjoyed the review of the book "God is Not Dead" and intend on reading it this summer. I also wrote down some of the other books and writers you mentioned in your article. I am familiar with Richard Dawkins and I have the Harris book already on my booklist.
I think that solving the ever present problem of some groups of people trying to dictate how others live is always an important issue to address. In a diverse culture, it is important to stress pluralism. And this is how I view Fundamentalists of both Christian and Islamic stripes. A threat to pluralism. These groups are not happy to live and let live. They are constantly trying to interfere in the lives of others...like your article states: The nonbelievers, the heretics, and adherents of other faiths.
Being a nonbeliever myself, the constant attempts to save me are flattering but unwelcome! I say thump your Bible somewhere else because it has no power over me...not really, I wouldn't actually SAY that or be THAT direct to those folks at my doorstep...just a polite "no thanks, I'm not interested" is usually enough. Face to face interactions will religious zealots are few and far between, thank goodness.
But the religious war on technology and science continues, as your article states. It is a cultural disaster. The opposite of progress. And THIS is what is alarming and bothers me the most...religious folks feeling they can use and abuse science to get their message across. The Creationist Museum in Kentucky is an example...cleverly disguising religious doctrine in a "scientific package". This sort of activist creationism must be countered by the authentic scientific community.
The whole "intelligent design" approach..the dismissal of evolutionary biology and the claims of divine truth in matters that are supernatural rather than natural...this lack of enlightenment is unsettling. One of my favorite books is by Carl Sagan: "The Demon Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark". The title says it all! We will be left in the dark again if the creationists have their way.
7 - Baritone
mojo,
Chris Hedges is adamant about the parallels between today's efforts toward establishing an American theocracy and how Hitler rose to power in Germany over 70 years ago. While I found all of the books I mentioned good, informative reads, Hedges book may be the most riveting and urgent in its appeal.
The radical christian war on science and evolution is symptomatic of a totalitarian state. To give credence to developments in science or to acknowledge the efficacy of evolutionary theory would be to admit that "the word" as the theocrats have defined it, could be in doubt. Doubt is not tolerated. Nor is individual thought or reason.
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. I hope you do read some of the books and find them informative and useful.
Baritone
8 - med
That review wasn't so much a review as it was a summary of the book's contents. How did Baritone feel about the book? I don't know. I see he describes one part as "interesting," but that doesn't tell me much about Baritone's thoughts on the book, or even how the book goes about its own thoughts.
9 - Baritone
Med,
You know, you can't please everyone. The last review I wrote, I was chastized for voicing my attitude and response to the work. Since the book isn't a work of fiction, I preferred to let the quotes set the stage. Read the book. You decide whether you like it or not.
Baritone
10 - Philip Lundquist
In June 1988, I moved into what was represented to me as a Christian communal home in California. A few days later, I was awakened about 7 A.M. when some Jehovah's Witnesses came to the front door and spoke with an indulgent fellow roommate. I'd returned home about 4 A.M. following another long, wearying shift on my job, and in the context, was quite sensitive to the tempo of this early-morning conversation at our front door. And nineteen years later, I can distinctly recall the negative flavour of every reference by the JW people to Jesus Christ. I don't remember their words at this point, but as soon as Jesus' name came up, the references were always diminuitive towards him......Now, on the other hand, I'd like to tell you of my experiences at that "Christian" house. Got a couple hours - and an air sickness bag - or two? Hitchens is certainly right about one thing - religion does not respond favourably to independent enquiry. So I spend a lot of time now in the early-morning hours alone, with my mug of hot English tea. I can honestly tell you that none of these quiet and unmolested times has led to mental breakdown, child abuse, or a desire to dominate others.
11 - Denise
Dear Philip,
Sorry to hear that you were awoken after 3 hours of sleep, at 7 AM. Jehovah's Witnesses don't knock on doors that early in the morning, the usual time to even meet to make arrangements for door to door work starts at 9 AM or after. They do engage in street work earlier, but that is in public spaces, bus stops, train stations, mall type areas where people are already awake and starting their day. With only 3 hours of sleep I can see where the mix up might have happened, so it must have been another religion calling at your door that day.
As Jehovah's Witnesses we believe that Jesus Christ is the reason we even have a chance for salvation. World wide we recognize his generous gift, by obeying his command to hold a memorial of his death, which ransomed us. We also realize our prayers are not heard unless given through Jesus Christ.
I hope that clears up any misunderstandings. Thank you for your time.
12 - Baritone
Denise,
It's thoughtful of you to clear things up for Philip, as it were.
You might give some thought to the probability that all religion, all belief and yearning for god, any god, is chasing a myth.
Instead of relinquishing your life in servitude to a non-existent diety for a "chance" at salvation in an effort to earn eternal life in an equally non-existent heavenly paradise, turn away from that and embrace this earthly life and relish it, for it is all we have, and it's all we get.
Baritone
13 - Torihope
Baritone: How do YOU KNOW this is the only life we'll have? With what authority and on what basis do you make such a comment? Denise--I've never heard of Witnesses knocking on anyone's door at 7:00 A.M., anywhere--ever. And as far as Jesus goes, he IS the savior of mankind, and it is is through him that we pray. It amazes me when people put their own spin on conversations with Witnesses. Perhaps it's hearing impairment, or just plain bias. Jesus' experiences on earth were similar, as I recall.
14 - Baritone
Tori,
How do I KNOW there is not god? I don't. But I can at least KNOW that such a belief is without reason, without logic, and, finally, without one iota of proof. Further, religious radicalism is, as I view it, a danger to American democracy - democracy anywhere for that matter, and an insult to human intelligence.
Every christian, or true believer of any faith worth their salt claims to KNOW of god's existence. You KNOW of no such thing. You, and many others obviously believe it with your whole heart, but that doesn't make it true.
People have believed in one or more gods pretty much throughout human history. All to no avail. No god, including yours has ever revealed him (her or it) self excepting through cryptic, inconsistent, contradictory, and, consequently, largely untelligible and supposed "divine" writings.
I say what I do regarding gods as it is what I believe. I doubt that you have any compunction in sharing with anyone and everyone what you believe, as witness your original comment here, and what I know of JW's modus operandi (even if you do wait until after 9AM to start knocking on doors.)
The tenor of your response, your indignation, would indicate that you feel a perfect right to spread your beliefs to whomever, while it is presumptive of me, and/or any others who believe as I do, to do the same.
Baritone
15 - Derek
Baritone,
Just wanted to point out a few things, as I believe you are incorrect in your facts.
1. To say that Christian belief is done so without logic or reason is not true. There were thousands of eyewitnesses to the life and death of Jesus and to his life after his resurrection. This is historical fact as much as Julius Ceasar being murdered in the senate. You believe that...don't you?
2. I believe history would show that the pilgrims left the "old country" to escape religious persecution and founded this "new country" on democracy. They were Christian, yet respected other's beliefs enough to try to ensure that no religion would take over government. Pretty cool!
So, please don't say that having faith in God is "blind" any more than believing in the "big bang" is blind and please don't accuse Christianity of being anti-democratic. Those two things are just intellectually dishonest.
Peace and love!
Derek
16 - Christopher Rose
Derek, have you considered the possibility that Jesus was just a human being? It's quite possible to believe that Jesus did indeed live amongst us without buying into all the mystical nonsense. You seem to be claiming that the fact of his probable existence justifies a belief in an entirely absent god...
17 - Baritone
Derek,
I don't ascribe to the same "historical facts" that you do. Outside of the biblical texts and perhaps the koran, I know of no "historical" evidence that firmly supports even the existence of Jesus, and certainly not his, or anyone else's resurrection. For you to state that as being "historical fact" is intellectual dishonesty.
Even in the new testament the accounts of Jesus' life and death vary widely depending what book you are reading. The resurrection is not mentioned in all of the gospels. None of the new testament accounts were written contemporary with Jesus' supposed life or death. They were written through handed down oral stories and legends, by mortal and fallible men, men with their own agendas, not by god.
There are those who believe, and I count myself as among them, that the "pilgrims" generally did not leave their home countries owing to intolerance by others. Rather, many were encouraged or perhaps forced to leave due to their own intolerance of others, and in fact, did not respect or tolerate other beliefs.
Keep in mind also that our government did not emerge until around 150 years after the landing of the Mayflower. Many of our country's progenitors were at most deists - not believers in a personal god - including Madison, Jefferson and probably Adams among others. The absence of any reference to god in the constitution was not an accident. Puritanical christians, the Calvinists and others did not hold sway at either of the Constitutional Conventions.
Apropos of little, I always love to make note of H.L. Menken's definition of a puritan as "one who is afraid that somebody else may be having a good time."
I do not count faith in god as a virtue. It is, in fact blind. Faith requires that one must leave logic, reason and even curiosity and doubt at the door. I don't have "faith" in the big bang. I accept it as the best available theory of the beginnings of the universe as put forward by scientists who study such things. Unless and until another theory presents itself with more compelling evidence, I will stick with the "bang."
I suggest you read Chris Hedges' book American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America. Hedges is a graduate of the Harvard Divinity school and retains his faith. However, he is also aware of how intent a number of radical christians are at bringing about an American theocracy, trashing our constitution and our democracy along with it, and refashioning the good ole' US of A under biblical law. Radical muslims are not the only ones pushing for religious states.
18 - Derek
Chris and Baritone,
Absolutely, the "historical" Jesus lived as a human being. This is clear and anybody who would go "out on a limb" and suggest he didn't is not looking honestly at the evidence.
Again, to suggest otherwise would be paramount to saying, "Did Socrates live?" There is as much historical manuscript data about Jesus' life as any other in ancient history. What is even more interesting to me, though, is that many of these eyewitnesses to those events died brutal deaths defending what they had seen. They could not deny the truth, even to the point of death.
I don't know about you, but if I were trying to promote a hoax by claiming I saw something that I didn't, then I would not be willing to die for it if I had really witnessed something different. All of the apostles - i.e. except one who died of old age - did die for their faith and they were eyewitnesses.
This is strong evidence.
What you choose to do with Christ's message and life is , of course, your own doing, but you weren't there either. The writings of Paul and Peter - i.e. eyewitnesses to the events of the times - were there and reported on it. Our faith is not blind, because we believe in the eyewitness accounts of those who were there.
Further, the mystical part of faith is the most exciting of all! I have seen miracles happen in my life and other's and I know God is alive and well. I am sorry you believe I must be delusional or illogical, but I can't deny what I have experienced, even if it is supernatural and doesn't fit into a nice, tidy little scientific box.
Lastly, I am not afraid that anybody is having a good time..and I am not. I am fine with my faith as it is and I let others choose to live anyway they want to live. I will say, however, that the reason Christians feel a need to share their experience with others is because we hope they will experience the same "awesome" thing.
Don't you share great experiences with your friends, so they can enjoy them as well?
Peace and love!
Derek
p.s. Lastly, lastly....Doesn't the Declaration of Independence list our "Creator" as the one who gave us inalienable rights? Does Christopher Hitchens have disdain for all the framers as well? Do you?
19 - Baritone
Derek,
Actually, it is not altogether clear that Socrates was an actual person. Probably was, but no one is sure.
We often can't agree about what happened yesterday. Why people accept the bible as inerrant historical fact is a mystery to me.
However, I won't argue further with you regarding the historical Jesus. His supposed divinity and resurrection is another story. It is preposterous.
The fact that his resurrection is not mentioned in ALL of the gospels is puzzling, is it not? Wouldn't such a singular event be the absolute banner headline of every tale regarding such a person?
I have heard the argument regarding the # of people who died for their faith back in the day. People have died for any number of causes throughout human history, many meaningless and/or hopeless causes. Look at all the Japanese who died for their emperor, or all the Germans who died for their fuhrer. They believed whole-heartedly in their leaders and their countries. They were wrong, though, weren't they? The death of the apostles for their faith is no evidence at all.
Mysticism is entertaining for some, but to base one's entire life on myth and magic is nonsensical, and a waste.
There are NO miracles. Why do you think that only "true believers" are the ones who witness supposed miracles? I've never heard of a non-believer stepping up and claiming to have witnessed a miracle. Yet believers always have a veritable litany of witnessed miracles.
The Declaration is NOT the Constitution. The Declaration was an impassioned statement designed to arouse a budding nation. The Constitution is the law of the land.
I have great regard for our founding fathers, most of them anyway. I'm sure Mr. Hitchens does also. However, it is wishful thinking on the part of many christians to suppose that those men meeting in the heat of a Philadelphia summer intended that this country be ruled by biblical law. If so, why did they go through all the pain and strife of writing the constitution when all they had to do was raise up the bible and proclaim it the only true and necessary source of governance? Were they just bored, or perhaps, stupid? I think not.
Oh, and lastly, yes, lastly. Science is anything BUT "nice and tidy."
20 - Steven Carr
'What is even more interesting to me, though, is that many of these eyewitnesses to those events died brutal deaths defending what they had seen. '
More myths and legends.
Just how did these people die?
Is there one piece of paper written in the first century which states how Peter or Paul died, and what they were accused of when they died?
Paul actually was there, and he was an eyewitness to the fact that Christians were persecuted on the issue of circumcision, not resurrection.
He also wrote that Christian leaders were happy to compromise their beliefs , and this avoided persecution.
Galatians 6:12 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.
Of course, Paul was a nutcase who believed he had gone to heaven, and he wrote in 1 Corinthians 15 that Jesus had become a spirit.
He was writing to early converts to Jesus-worship who simply scoffed at the idea that God would choose to raise a corpse.....
21 - Baritone
Steven,
You are better schooled than I regarding biblical scripture. I'm sure a close read would reveal any number of inconsistencies, contradictions and various shades of gobbledigook. I know some believe that Paul was, at times at least, a deslusional maniac. Just the kind of guy I'd want mentoring me in my day to day life.
Again, the fact that people more than 2000 years after the fact still cling to the idiotic mish-mash of the aforementioned gobbledigook as being meaningful, relevant and the inerrant truth is beyond me. I believe a study of the collected works of say, Rob Schneider would be more coherent and revelatory than any of the supposed holy works. But that's just me.
Baritone
22 - Leslie Bohn
Derek:
The writings of Paul and Peter - i.e. eyewitnesses to the events of the times - were there and reported on it.(sic)
Derek, I hope it doesn't test your faith, but your grasp of Christian mythology (and logical sentence structure) is a little loose.
Paul, of course, wasn't a witness to the events of Jesus' life. He was visited by the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. Acts 9 has the story. Also, Paul discusses this in 1 Corinthians.
Opposite problem with Peter, who had great seats and backstage passes for "Crossfest 33," but didn't write about it. Unless, of course, you recognize the noncanonical "Gospel of Peter," which differs pretty significantly from the 4 gospels.
Sunday school is over.
Amazing how many people who profess total belief in this bullshit don't even know the basics.I'm a god-free liberal arts major, and even I know this crap. Sad, really.
23 - Trent
I'm suprised someone hasn't brought up David Koresh or other more modern cult leaders as parallels to irrational religious thinking.
24 - fred z
So what who cares how we got here.Here we are.Did you know there is a waiting line to come to planet Earth? We did not come here by chance,we came here by choice.You and I wanted to come here to this Planet.So why not celebrate your creation with the attitude of gratitude.It can be a wonderful adventure.Do not allow this god routine to control your thinking.Become a spiritual anarchist. PAX
25 - Derek
Dear Leslie,
What is amazing to me is how you "pseudo- intellectuals" are well..."pseudo-intellectuals."
I never said that Paul was an eyewitness to Christ's life. I said he was an eyewitness to the "events of the times," which would include his conversion on the road to Damascus. Correct?
Secondly, Peter did write books that are in the Bible. That he didn't write specifically about the cruxifiction is irrelevent, as he based his entire life on his experience with Christ. Obviously, Christ changed his life.
Having a discussion with the Godless people is futile in most cases, since you are all not Spiritual people and do not understand. Your eyes have not been opened. It is not too late, though, so please keep an open mind.
"Only fools say in their hearts,
There is no God."
They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;
not one of them does good! Psalms 53:1
Late...out!
Derek
p.s. You are right about one thing Leslie: That was poor sentence structure.