[EDINVA]

I, too, hope he found a glorious, glorious surprise. Heard an interview with him last Winter, adamantly holding to his atheistic views. He was a very complex person, gifted in so many ways. May his family find comfort in his passing.

[boatbums]

I know we have a merciful and loving God. Hitchens was not a stranger to the Christian faith. So though he proudly professed denial of any god or creator, I and many here prayed for him that God would open his eyes to the truth. I heard that he had a brother that is a Christian so I have no doubt he knew what the "gospel" was and that, in his last moments, he was surrounded by family and friends - many praying right there. Only God knows his heart.

We don't know the real reasons why people reject God, though some - maybe Hitchens - make a career out of publicly rejecting him and all those whose lives have been changed by God. It becomes an intellectual pursuit to mock, deride and, even, compete with others of like mind to see who is best at debating those "believers". As one of those believers, it is impossible to imagine ever honestly denying God IS and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. Yet some will never seek God and for whatever reason will only see the truth when it is too late - when judgment is passed and a sentence of eternal hell is imposed. I shudder to even think of such an eternity. I pray that others who have been influenced by Mr. Hitchens take the time to honestly access what they believe and why they do and that God speaks through the still, small voice, that he IS and can be found if we search for him with all our hearts.