Christopher Hitchens' Address to the American Atheist Convention 2011

We don't know how much longer we have Hitch with us, but he will be missed when he is gone.

An incredibly special thank you to C0nc0rdance for putting this video together. http://www.youtube.com/C0nc0rdance Reuploaded with permission.

From C0ncordance's description:
Christopher Hitchens' cancer has progressed to the point where he does not have the use of his voice, so he was unable to speak at the AAC. I thought his address was an eloquent statement of his position, and a hopeful message for a secular person.

Original video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znJfpsWjl9Y

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[nitesights]

It will be a sad day when he is gone.

[Goth3m3]

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

[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.

[rodbob11]

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

[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?

[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

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 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 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 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]

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.