Posted on 08/21/2010 3:35:55 PM PDT by markomalley
I just lost a young friend to cancer, I watched my own stepfather die of the type of cancer that is now afflicting Christopher Hitchens, I am only concerned here with two things- his conversion and his bodily healing.
I never “hated” Hitchens, I didn’t always disagree with his politics, but his extreme views against Faith/Belief in God were indicative of something missing on the inside for him. In this interview he speaks a little about the trauma of suicide in his family- particularly his mother. It seems to me that the little child within all of us eventually wins out- if that child longs for love and innocence then faith will come more easily. If that little child is damaged by traumatic events very much outside of his control- well he may well give over to a sort of hopelessness and despair.
I really and truly hope that this probable last road of Hitchens does not turn into a circus where the believers line up on blogs to smirk “I told you so” to a dying man. I believe our role is to be good Samaritans, like the Mother Teresa that Hitchens claimed to hate, she didn’t give a litmus test on the dying before offering compassion, prayer and some comfort. The best witness for Christ we can give right now is not to begin a new debate on whether God gave Hitchens cancer, or take bets on when or if the pain of chemotherapy will finally bring this prideful man to his knees- the kind of pain whereupon God speaks to Christopher through a megaphone (CS Lewis).
In watching the debates between D’Souza and Hitchens, I always felt that the missing ingredient for the pro-God side was an expression of authentic concern and compassion for the atheist who was up there attempting to trash Our Loving Creator and His Son, Our Lord. It may not have fit in well with the format of a formal debate, but in something so important as deciding to be for God or against Him, you really have to live and think outside the box much of the time.
So, I offer a humble prayer for Christopher Hitchens, and I see his humanity in his expression of regret for the sake of his children- that is a very intense point of personal contact for me. I will not make any artificial judgments on the state of his immortal soul- the man is obviously damaged, and just like when I have known someone who has committed a bodily suicide, I make the assumption that something was just not healthy or right in that person- there is a good probability that something got into the mix of that person that robbed them of some of their free will. I could be wrong- but it is Christ’s call ultimately not mine. I would only propose to Christopher Hitchens to consider that God is Love, he is a man who has love for his children- so that may be his ultimate pathway to God- somehow. I would urge him not to keep the straw man Christian in his mind when contemplating Faith in Christ. Not all Christians are mean-spirited, ignorant, superstitious or hypocritical. There are saints among us- consider their witness as the better imitators of Christ.
So, I pray thee well Christopher Hitchens, well in body and in the spirit you do not claim to believe exists. Lord have mercy on you and on us all.
Be funny if Hitchins embraced Islam before he died. Then we’d see if that was good enough for the ‘Find God’ folks or not.
“There are no aetheists in foxholes.” Hitchens finds himself in a “foxhole,” and I pray that he finds the Lord.
aetheist=atheist (sorry, spell police)
Well, Hitchens hates Mother Teresa, and has always, always sneered at Christianity.
I saw a recent interview of him where he was discussing his end of days, and Hitchens relayed a story about a Christian that offered to pray for him. His response was “don’t do it for me, but if it makes you feel better you have my blessing.”
I just find that really sad. I hope Mr. Hitchens accepts Jesus before the light finally goes out. ‘Pod.
No reason to prosthelytize any more than I believe those of faith should prosthelytize where that is unwanted
just my $0.02
A conversion to Islam has nothing to do with God, unless you believe a Hindu lesser moon goddess promoted to god of Islam has something to do with I AM ... that’s God’s name ya know, I AM.
The ultimate joke on Hitchens would be that he finds himself in heaven, brought there by a merciful and loving God, who is nevertheless just, in that justice for Hitchens consists in being forced to realize that he was wrong about God. Heaven is therefore hell for Chris.
Hitchen’s has been on point regarding the fascist faction in Islam. I doubt it’ll be a religion he converts to.
Lol!
On another note ...
‘Every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess ...’ From that you may surmiss that EVERY human being will eventually know without a doubt The Truth. The Truth is a person don’tchaknow.
As the spiritual Marlin Perkins, I'll stay here in the blind of Christian mysticism as I watch Jim Fowler-Hitchens tackle the existential beast with Sharp claws and a yawning maw full of experiential Teeth...and chuckle.
Time for a Mutual of Omaha commercial...
No doubt Mother Teresa is praying for him right now.
An excellent post — I don’t know if you wrote it (if so, I applaud you) or if someone else at American Catholic wrote it, but it’s a way of thinking that I wish more (in general and on this website) shared.
I just post....
Had a very near and dear friend that had a death bed conversion.....it happens to many...I don’t hold the belief that some do that God gives us disease....disease is a part of life like death is...gives God a bad name....we all die of something, even if its old age...my best to C. Hitchens, he was interesting to listen to, even if you didn’t agree with him........but he sure didn’t like Mother T....
You sure know how to make smarmy remarks, how long did it take to learn that stuff.......
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.