I (like Hitchens) probably don't agree with your positions on religion but by putting this video out you have actually shown what real Christian sentiment is supposed to be.
Aside from his views on religion Hitchens was a remarkable man and an intelligent and forthright voice on a whole range of subjects.
@TheSmithDorian Hitchens was well respected in the Christian community. Even though he held many beliefs differently he was a rare atheist who was respectful of those who differed with him. I was very sad to hear of his death. I read his last article and it was very moving. I thought he had several months left, but he went soon after. Interesting to note his brother Peter is a christian. Hitchens will be missed.
Glad to see that you're making videos again. I'm still eagerly waiting for your email response where you utterly destroy my argument. :) I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon.
@HonestMan395 Thanks for the comment. I completely understand that there are some religious people doing such. It's a sad fact. By "here" I mean that I would not be doing that on this channel. In fact, I see this channel as an opportunity to critique atheism as well as many of the views and attitudes my fellow Christians hold. I harly think it can be said that Jesus would have rejoiced in this. If God wishes none to perish, I find it odd that some Christians do
@Ingmatter It bothers me as well. I have heard some say God "takes pleasure" in the suffering of damned. In my opinion, nothing could be farther from the truth of what both justice & love mean. Both must exist in a cosmic sense if evil is to be addressed but to say that God pleasures in torment completely overlooks both the nature of God and the cross event. If God essentially sent Jesus through hell (as Mark portrays) this would then imply that God enjoyed doing so. I don't think thats the case
@theologyfromtheXside It's nice to find a christian that I can agree with, at least on some things.
Unfortunately, as an atheist, I've had experiences with the other kind.
I was once told by a "christian" on You-tube that, because I "would not accept the Lord Jesus into my heart," I was destined to burn in the pit of fire for all eternity.
The only thing he regretted was that, because he, as a christian, would be in Heaven, he would not be able to watch me suffer.
Christopher Hitchens left an extraordinary example of honesty and an everlasting invitation to reason and doubt. He job will be remembered. He touched millions of lives and thank to youtube and other electronic media we can always go back to his words and use it as inspiration to make a better world. The best honor to his memory will be to think for ourselves and help other people understand that "religion is man made and that it poisons everything."
One of the biggest problems that is often noted about many religious people is they fail to understand one extremely crucial component - if you associate yourself with a belief system, you are an example of that belief and many people are watching. I have seen many turned off completely because their interaction with a religious person(s) has left a sour taste in their mouth. Your tribute to Hitch was thoughtful and respectful. Thank you for being an example of your faith. Be well.
Unfortunately, I'm just waiting for some christian to start spreading a made up rumour that Christopher had a deathbed conversion and recanted all his atheist views.
@HonestMan395 Mother Teresa had a deathbed conversion. She renounced all religion, confessed to being a massive fraud...and told everyone Christopher Hitchens was the lovechild she had with George Carlin. On cocaine, reading Lenin with her two lesbian lovers.
@KapStuf I suspect that your remark was tongue in cheek, but from her own letters it strongly suggests that Mother Teresa was not a convinced believer and had grave doubts about her faith.
@HonestMan395 Mother Teresa was a doubter? That makes her an even bigger fraud than I thought, but also a more interesting figure. Were these letters published? I find it hard to believe the church would allow that if it questioned the legend they'd built up around her.
I disagreed with most of his basic world view as well but I respect him too, there's no doubt he was eloquent and attacked injustice as he saw it. I also respect his journalistic talent, particularly his thoughts on his experiences in less developed countries and what made the U.S.A. different to him and so forth; one thing I'll always remember is his volunteering to be waterboarded so he'd know what it is like. Nice video.
@MrSamuelSpade Thanks. So purely out of curiosity, (I mean that, placing a high value on civil exchange of ideas as Christopher did (most of the time, haha)) what motivates *you* to respect people who hold beliefs 'diametrically opposed' to your own?
@ShawDAMAN I am not opposed to Hitchen's message. I respect people or disrespect people for many reasons..their actions, how they treat others, the integrity of their inquiry, their willingness to put the interests of others before their own. Boldness is not one of those qualities that impress me. It comes easy for some people and has no bearing on the worthiness of the message.
@MrSamuelSpade Right, I was just asking in a general way not necessarily only with respect to Hitchens' message. Your reasons for respecting people are sound. As far as boldness, again, I would largely agree. Boldness in the face of danger or boldness in expressing unpopular ideas *can* be admirable under certain circumstances but it's true that in and of itself it is no great thing.
@Scygeek65 How about we help each other and not worry about a god that requires total acquiescence? Now there is an interesting concept, actually doing something instead of fearing that which we have no evidence for.
You respect that he stood for beliefs that you don't support? Standing for a belief is not respectful, it is typical. I respect his beliefs and I appreciate that he put people like you in their place.
@MrSamuelSpade I don't always--even usually--respect his beliefs and policies. Occasionally I do. I do respect his boldness. This world might be very different if people took the same courage that he did regarding his beliefs. And if you're expecting Christians to rejoice in this mans death then you're in the wrong place.
@theologyfromtheXside I said nothing about anyone rejoicing in his death, so don't put words in my mouth. I repeated what you said almost verbatim, and I find your video to a demonstration of how narrow many christians are when discussing atheism and atheists.
@theologyfromtheXside Look at what you're saying? You don't respect his beliefs, you respect his boldness? So if people are bold and say things that you are opposed to then you respect them? How is that a good thing? How is the energy apparent in the delivery of a message more important than it's content?
@MrSamuelSpade Isn't it possible to disagree deeply with someone and respect them at the same time? I'm not sure what you're making such an issue about.
@ShawDAMAN Yep it is. But the reasons to respect a person are still relevant, and boldness of a message that you are diametrically opposed too is inconsequential. The content/quality of a message is important...boldness is not. I respect what Hitchen's said because the foundation of his comments was based on substance and offered a perspective that I could identify with.
I do respect people I disagree with...but the reason has to do with more than a conviction to a belief.
@theologyfromtheXside Quote: "if you're expecting Christians to rejoice in this mans death then you're in the wrong place."
If only that were true.
Unfortunately, if you look at some of the comments on some videos on You-tube, there are many rejoicing in his death and I don't think that they are from atheists.
Well done.
I (like Hitchens) probably don't agree with your positions on religion but by putting this video out you have actually shown what real Christian sentiment is supposed to be.
Aside from his views on religion Hitchens was a remarkable man and an intelligent and forthright voice on a whole range of subjects.
RIP Chris - you will be missed.
TheSmithDorian 2 months ago
@TheSmithDorian Hitchens was well respected in the Christian community. Even though he held many beliefs differently he was a rare atheist who was respectful of those who differed with him. I was very sad to hear of his death. I read his last article and it was very moving. I thought he had several months left, but he went soon after. Interesting to note his brother Peter is a christian. Hitchens will be missed.
pointguard11 2 months ago
Great video, man. Nicely done.
mooney137 2 months ago in playlist Uploaded videos
Glad to see that you're making videos again. I'm still eagerly waiting for your email response where you utterly destroy my argument. :) I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
sinebass808 2 months ago
@sinebass808 I'm eagerly awaiting sending it! ;) Thanks man. The same to you.
theologyfromtheXside 2 months ago
@HonestMan395 Thanks for the comment. I completely understand that there are some religious people doing such. It's a sad fact. By "here" I mean that I would not be doing that on this channel. In fact, I see this channel as an opportunity to critique atheism as well as many of the views and attitudes my fellow Christians hold. I harly think it can be said that Jesus would have rejoiced in this. If God wishes none to perish, I find it odd that some Christians do
theologyfromtheXside 2 months ago
@theologyfromtheXside "If God wishes none to perish, I find it odd that some Christians do."
Well said. I used to be theist and even then the fact that some people enjoyed the idea of the eternal damnation of others bothered me.
Ingmatter 2 months ago
@Ingmatter It bothers me as well. I have heard some say God "takes pleasure" in the suffering of damned. In my opinion, nothing could be farther from the truth of what both justice & love mean. Both must exist in a cosmic sense if evil is to be addressed but to say that God pleasures in torment completely overlooks both the nature of God and the cross event. If God essentially sent Jesus through hell (as Mark portrays) this would then imply that God enjoyed doing so. I don't think thats the case
theologyfromtheXside 2 months ago
@theologyfromtheXside It's nice to find a christian that I can agree with, at least on some things.
Unfortunately, as an atheist, I've had experiences with the other kind.
I was once told by a "christian" on You-tube that, because I "would not accept the Lord Jesus into my heart," I was destined to burn in the pit of fire for all eternity.
The only thing he regretted was that, because he, as a christian, would be in Heaven, he would not be able to watch me suffer.
HonestMan395 2 months ago
Christopher Hitchens left an extraordinary example of honesty and an everlasting invitation to reason and doubt. He job will be remembered. He touched millions of lives and thank to youtube and other electronic media we can always go back to his words and use it as inspiration to make a better world. The best honor to his memory will be to think for ourselves and help other people understand that "religion is man made and that it poisons everything."
NAVEGANTESOY 2 months ago
Nicely said. Even when he was wrong - and I think he was wrong a lot - he was never *stupid*. Ever.
KapStuf 2 months ago
One of the biggest problems that is often noted about many religious people is they fail to understand one extremely crucial component - if you associate yourself with a belief system, you are an example of that belief and many people are watching. I have seen many turned off completely because their interaction with a religious person(s) has left a sour taste in their mouth. Your tribute to Hitch was thoughtful and respectful. Thank you for being an example of your faith. Be well.
brightsorcerer 2 months ago
That was a nice response.
Unfortunately, I'm just waiting for some christian to start spreading a made up rumour that Christopher had a deathbed conversion and recanted all his atheist views.
Don't laugh, it's happened before.
The rumours, I mean, not an actual conversion.
HonestMan395 2 months ago
@HonestMan395 Mother Teresa had a deathbed conversion. She renounced all religion, confessed to being a massive fraud...and told everyone Christopher Hitchens was the lovechild she had with George Carlin. On cocaine, reading Lenin with her two lesbian lovers.
KapStuf 2 months ago
@KapStuf I suspect that your remark was tongue in cheek, but from her own letters it strongly suggests that Mother Teresa was not a convinced believer and had grave doubts about her faith.
HonestMan395 2 months ago
@HonestMan395 Mother Teresa was a doubter? That makes her an even bigger fraud than I thought, but also a more interesting figure. Were these letters published? I find it hard to believe the church would allow that if it questioned the legend they'd built up around her.
KapStuf 2 months ago
@KapStuf Just google "mother teresa, Crisis of faith" and you should find many references.
It's easy to find them.
HonestMan395 2 months ago
That was quite ok.
JRBendixen 2 months ago
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Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
HRage 2 months ago
It's heartening to see someone be able to find points of common ground with someone with whom he disagrees. There's not enough of that. Nicely done.
ProfMTH 2 months ago 10
I disagreed with most of his basic world view as well but I respect him too, there's no doubt he was eloquent and attacked injustice as he saw it. I also respect his journalistic talent, particularly his thoughts on his experiences in less developed countries and what made the U.S.A. different to him and so forth; one thing I'll always remember is his volunteering to be waterboarded so he'd know what it is like. Nice video.
ShawDAMAN 2 months ago
@ShawDAMAN You stated this very well.
MrSamuelSpade 2 months ago
@MrSamuelSpade Thanks. So purely out of curiosity, (I mean that, placing a high value on civil exchange of ideas as Christopher did (most of the time, haha)) what motivates *you* to respect people who hold beliefs 'diametrically opposed' to your own?
ShawDAMAN 2 months ago
@ShawDAMAN I am not opposed to Hitchen's message. I respect people or disrespect people for many reasons..their actions, how they treat others, the integrity of their inquiry, their willingness to put the interests of others before their own. Boldness is not one of those qualities that impress me. It comes easy for some people and has no bearing on the worthiness of the message.
MrSamuelSpade 2 months ago
@MrSamuelSpade Right, I was just asking in a general way not necessarily only with respect to Hitchens' message. Your reasons for respecting people are sound. As far as boldness, again, I would largely agree. Boldness in the face of danger or boldness in expressing unpopular ideas *can* be admirable under certain circumstances but it's true that in and of itself it is no great thing.
ShawDAMAN 2 months ago
The Lord help us all
Scygeek65 2 months ago
@Scygeek65 How about we help each other and not worry about a god that requires total acquiescence? Now there is an interesting concept, actually doing something instead of fearing that which we have no evidence for.
MrSamuelSpade 2 months ago
You respect that he stood for beliefs that you don't support? Standing for a belief is not respectful, it is typical. I respect his beliefs and I appreciate that he put people like you in their place.
MrSamuelSpade 2 months ago 2
@MrSamuelSpade I don't always--even usually--respect his beliefs and policies. Occasionally I do. I do respect his boldness. This world might be very different if people took the same courage that he did regarding his beliefs. And if you're expecting Christians to rejoice in this mans death then you're in the wrong place.
theologyfromtheXside 2 months ago 5
@theologyfromtheXside I said nothing about anyone rejoicing in his death, so don't put words in my mouth. I repeated what you said almost verbatim, and I find your video to a demonstration of how narrow many christians are when discussing atheism and atheists.
MrSamuelSpade 2 months ago
@theologyfromtheXside Look at what you're saying? You don't respect his beliefs, you respect his boldness? So if people are bold and say things that you are opposed to then you respect them? How is that a good thing? How is the energy apparent in the delivery of a message more important than it's content?
Seriously, think about what you're saying.
MrSamuelSpade 2 months ago
@MrSamuelSpade Isn't it possible to disagree deeply with someone and respect them at the same time? I'm not sure what you're making such an issue about.
ShawDAMAN 2 months ago
@ShawDAMAN Yep it is. But the reasons to respect a person are still relevant, and boldness of a message that you are diametrically opposed too is inconsequential. The content/quality of a message is important...boldness is not. I respect what Hitchen's said because the foundation of his comments was based on substance and offered a perspective that I could identify with.
I do respect people I disagree with...but the reason has to do with more than a conviction to a belief.
MrSamuelSpade 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@theologyfromtheXside Quote: "if you're expecting Christians to rejoice in this mans death then you're in the wrong place."
If only that were true.
Unfortunately, if you look at some of the comments on some videos on You-tube, there are many rejoicing in his death and I don't think that they are from atheists.
HonestMan395 2 months ago