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Hitchens' address to American Atheists (self eulogy)
Pharyngula ^ | April 22, 2011 | Christopher Hitchens

Posted on 04/23/2011 4:34:15 AM PDT by Salman

Dear fellow-unbelievers,

Nothing would have kept me from joining you except the loss of my voice (at least my speaking voice) which in turn is due to a long argument I am currently having with the specter of death. Nobody ever wins this argument, though there are some solid points to be made while the discussion goes on. I have found, as the enemy becomes more familiar, that all the special pleading for salvation, redemption and supernatural deliverance appears even more hollow and artificial to me than it did before. I hope to help defend and pass on the lessons of this for many years to come, but for now I have found my trust better placed in two things: the skill and principle of advanced medical science, and the comradeship of innumerable friends and family, all of them immune to the false consolations of religion. It is these forces among others which will speed the day when humanity emancipates itself from the mind-forged manacles of servility and superstitition. It is our innate solidarity, and not some despotism of the sky, which is the source of our morality and our sense of decency.

(Excerpt) Read more at scienceblogs.com ...


TOPICS: Apologetics; Skeptics/Seekers
KEYWORDS: atheist; dying; htichens
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To: PowderMonkey

No, he won’t.

I know his type. He has his mind made up.

He’s going down.


21 posted on 04/23/2011 5:33:18 AM PDT by Scanian
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To: Servant of the Cross; ADSUM

Luke 23:39-43


22 posted on 04/23/2011 5:40:56 AM PDT by PowderMonkey (WILL WORK FOR AMMO)
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To: Salman

Why do they capitalize atheist? Atheism is beginning to look a lot like a religious organization.


23 posted on 04/23/2011 5:55:05 AM PDT by Pinetop
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To: Salman
It is these forces among others which will speed the day when humanity emancipates itself from the mind-forged manacles of servility and superstitition. It is our innate solidarity, and not some despotism of the sky, which is the source of our morality and our sense of decency.

On the eve of Easter, hitchins is still spitting into the wind.

These two sentences explain why the large culture wars exist, one side believes that God dictates right from wrong and the other side says, make it up as you go along.

It is that simple and there is no room for compromise.

I accept hitchin's right not to believe, I just want him {and his pals} to respect my right to practice what I believe.

24 posted on 04/23/2011 5:58:59 AM PDT by USS Alaska (Nuke the terrorist savages.)
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To: ADSUM

Sometimes I have my own doubts. But the joy through faith I see in those around me, and the accounts of how true believers fell asleep in death with joy and serenity as their handmaidens, give me reassurance that Jesus’ sacrifice was not in vain.

“I’m not smart enough to be an atheist.”

Anyway, we can only pray for Hitchen’s redemption. But that monumental ego of his is not atypical of atheists. Again, why are they so angry and reactive against G-d and His faithful? I thought smug indifference to the divine would suit them more.


25 posted on 04/23/2011 6:00:05 AM PDT by elcid1970 (Deport all Muslims. Nuke Mecca. Death to Islam.)
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To: Salman

The article’s comments appear to suggest that atheists now worship Hitchens.


26 posted on 04/23/2011 6:18:44 AM PDT by yetidog (/*)
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To: PowderMonkey

I have absolutely no doubt He will. If at the last few seconds of life Mr. Hitchens confesses of his sins with a sincere and contrite heart, and accepts Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour, he will be redeemed. I pray that he is afforded those precious last few seconds.

______________________________________________

That was beautifully stated. I agree and hold out hope for all those who currently reject Christ. Eternity is a long time to spend with God’s back to you.


27 posted on 04/23/2011 6:23:12 AM PDT by navymom1
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To: Salman
Men can deny God only so long. I fear he hardened his heart against the truth for so long that the Lord has already given him over to his reprobate mind. His wrath of abandonment is a truly horrific state. If that happens you are already a dead man. Mr. Hitchens has done his best to prove he epitomizes Romans 1:22, Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. Even at this late hour, however, if God wants to save him, He will be saved and it matters not what Hitchens now believes. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)
28 posted on 04/23/2011 7:30:35 AM PDT by .45 Long Colt
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To: Pinetop

Atheism is absolutely a religion. Atheist have faith that there is no God.


29 posted on 04/23/2011 8:59:43 AM PDT by Egon (The difference between Theory and Practice: In Theory, there is no difference.)
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To: Salman

The poor guy. I’m still praying for him. Esophageal cancer must be incredibly painful.


30 posted on 04/23/2011 12:03:09 PM PDT by redhead
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To: redhead

My aunt recently died of that.


31 posted on 04/23/2011 4:06:16 PM PDT by TwoSue
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To: Berlin_Freeper
You can especially see this in regards to movies, TV and music - where the underworld is a big recurring theme but really not so much when it comes to God and Heaven.

Well, The Inferno is by far the most interesting part of Dante's Divine Comedy...and for a modern take on it, see Niven & Pournelle's novel, "Inferno" (highly recommended!).


32 posted on 04/24/2011 8:53:59 AM PDT by Abin Sur
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