Christopher Hitchens' Address to the American Atheist Convention 2011

[samaroo96]

The Bible tells us that God is in the business of salvation. Though His wrath regarding sin is all too real as seen in the Fall and Flood judgments, we need not suffer it. Those who come to Him in repentance and faith will not be turned away (John 6:37). "For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) It is strange that people hate God, who loves so much.

[bellabelieber98]

Atheists often say that religious people are close-minded. If you are one of those people: You aren't really being any more open-minded than they, are you? Have you ever given God a chance? Please don't respond hatefully to me. I just don't think you can prove that a superior being does not exist.

[greatgulffixed]

Hitchens spent a lifetime lashing out against God using the strawman of religion. It's too bad that he never seemed to appreciate that God also hates religion.

It's sad that he apparently never got to know this God who all Hitchens' lifetime sought a relationship with him but was repulsed in the name of religion.

There are no unbelievers in eternity. Yes, Hitchens is now a believer.

But it's too late.

[Pezzab5]

@greatgulffixed wow! Underneath your, oh so caring and loving comment about God wanting to have a "relationship" with Hitchens, is the true sentiment of the "believer". It would have been a lovely relationship but Hitchens is now being tortured. Forever. Do you know how unethical and immoral your comment is?

[greatgulffixed]

@Pezzab5

I don't know where Hitchens is, because only God knows his heart. But he's somewhere. And I'm stating a fact. He is now a believer.

God tortures nobody. If Hitchens rejected God to the end, then he now realizes his folly - and this is the ultimate torment for all eternity. It is not God's fault.

I did emphasize with Hitchens. I felt sorry for the burden he bore re: his mother's suicide.

And yes, I did pray for him and cared about his soul.

Did you?

[Pezzab5]

@greatgulffixed You're "stating a fact"? Prove it. God tortures nobody? I suggest you re-read your Bible. As for it not being God's fault, you sound as though you're the ultimate apologist for your God.

I didn't pray for Hitchens - prayer doesn't work and I don't care about his "soul". He doesn't have one. What he did have however was the intelligence to realise that all religion is a sacrifice of one's integrity and intellect. He died a free man which is something that you're not.

[greatgulffixed]

@Pezzab5

I'll prove my facts when you prove yours.

You have an opinion - based on your own biases.

I am not free??? YOU are the one who is apparently slave to your DNA, dancing to its tune, and locked into a naturalistic universe.

Take a peek outside your box, man. There's a big, wonderful world out there.

Hitchens missed it. And so are you.

[Pezzab5]

@greatgulffixed The one making the claim for a God has to prove it - not me. My opinion is based on testable evidence - not on myths. As for you being free - you're not. You're told what to think whereas you should think for yourself.

I do look outside of my "box". The world is a far more interesting place than the fable of "God made man". From the knowledge of atoms through to constant new discoveries that confrim we still know very little. There's more wonder in that than any religion.

[greatgulffixed]

@Pezzab5

Re: more wonder than any religion

Who's talking religion? I'm talking about the God of the universe.

What testable evidence would you accept? How would an immaterial, timeless, invisible being make Himself known to man in a way that man would accept?

Any suggestions?

[rodbob11]

@greatgulffixed making ignorant people like you go away would work for me.:)

[InteGrayting2]

The Earth has lost a brilliant man, but he taught us much. Even the faithful do not know how much this man has helped mankind by passing the torch that will either shed light on the false nature of the religions of the world, or will be the fire that ignites reality and burns faith to the ground. Either way it has begun.

[Mrhawklanz]

One thing is certain. Death is real.

[mollymu1]

There is no such thing as an atheist . Nobody is that stupid . It's a front for something else . Wanting to seem elite from others.

[Sickopath333]

The rule of absolutism. Oh you gotta love the irony in that one. He's an atheist and is strongly against all religion, but then he talks about the horrors of absolute rule and absolute statements. Be careful my brothers in atheism for those religious nut jobs who foolishly claim to have God on their side because they want to wipe you out and indoctrinate you; fight on so that we may do that to them instead.

[EntropyUniverse]

@Sickopath333 Atheism is the act of favoring evidence. Religion, specifically faith, is, by definition, the exact opposite. Attempting to reduce crime is not the same as being a criminal. Your sarcasm is wasted on a failed comparison.

[Sickopath333]

@EntropyUniverse Atheism is the disbelief in a god or gods for any reason. One's materialism or naturalism would be a sort of denomination within the larger context of atheism. Faith is not the act of going against evidence, but it is a belief in something that ultimately cannot be proven, I'd agree to that. My sarcasm is not wasted since people like Hitchens make comments like that all the time.  And that depends on your method of reducing crime; genocide for example.

[EddyandGordon]

What a legend ! we will finsh your legacy, one day religin will fall and people will look back and laugh at he stupidity that humanaty went through and praise as i do people like christopher. I wish you well chris. peace from Austrialia

[bdwilson1000]

@SylentMynd

Thanks, make sure you give Conc0rdance credit too. :)

[DelusionalJ]

And an honor and privilege to listen to his words of wisdom.

[DelusionalJ]

Thank you so much for this. Truly is a food for the mind.

[TheScottism101]

@SylentMynd You're right. I'm Sorry. I misheard what the video had said.

[i3rucei3ruce]

Does this mean he gets to join the Go Kart Club with Hawking? :D

[no1saphead]

Christopher is the giant who's shoulders that we all to stand on.

[cutes22]

Now, now. You've not delivered your last Hitchslap. Hope to hear you speaking again and soon.

[saxmanchiro]

Hitch will go down in history as one of the greats, along with so many visionaries who came to the game with a well hewned 'bat' of reason, logic and common sense. Arrived at the game with full confidence that gave the whole team a boost for the 'game' ahead.

[Goth3m3]

Get better Christopher. Your work is not done here yet.

[ytfmichaelxu]

@Goth3m3 Well, that's awfully demanding. May he leave us peacefully, he's been fighting for what he thinks is right all his life. Getting better with the kind of cancer Hitchens has is very grim, not to mention his age and years of substance abuse.

[YesYou123333]

@Goth3m3 Here? Where is there?

[Goth3m3]

@YesYou123333 I just meant here in life. I've never believed in an afterlife as much as I'd like to.

[brandonism12]

@YesYou123333 Over here? Over there where?

[Christheatheist1]

Thanks for putting this up. I'm going to miss him so much

[grimmnekrokvlt]

Brings a tear too your eye, thank you for your wisdom Christopher.

[nitesights]

It will be a sad day when he is gone.

[PutoProzak]

One of my heroes.