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Author Topic: Christopher Hitchens, 1949–2011  (Read 3772 times)

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Offline Chris_

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Christopher Hitchens, 1949–2011
« on: December 15, 2011, 11:04:25 PM »
Christopher Hitchens—the incomparable critic, masterful rhetorician, fiery wit, and fearless bon vivant—died today at the age of 62. Hitchens was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in the spring of 2010, just after the publication of his memoir, Hitch-22, and began chemotherapy soon after. His matchless prose has appeared in Vanity Fair since 1992, when he was named contributing editor.

Vanity Fair
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Offline Chris_

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Re: Christopher Hitchens, 1949–2011
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2011, 11:04:44 PM »
Hitchens finally has his answer... is there a God or not.
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Offline FreeBorn

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Re: Christopher Hitchens, 1949–2011
« Reply #2 on: December 16, 2011, 12:02:51 AM »
Refreshing news. One less socialist jihadist in the world.  :-)
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Offline compaqxp

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Re: Christopher Hitchens, 1949–2011
« Reply #3 on: December 16, 2011, 02:16:11 AM »
Quote from: FreeBorn on December 16, 2011, 12:02:51 AM
Refreshing news. One less socialist jihadist in the world.  :-)

Can't tell if serious or not. :/
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Offline Mr Mannn

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Re: Christopher Hitchens, 1949–2011
« Reply #4 on: December 16, 2011, 06:01:05 AM »
Quote from: chris_ on December 15, 2011, 11:04:44 PM
Hitchens finally has his answer... is there a God or not.
I doubt the meeting will be a pleasant one...for Hitchens.
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Offline lars1701c

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Re: Christopher Hitchens, 1949–2011
« Reply #5 on: December 16, 2011, 06:25:35 AM »
I figured its a lose lose situation for him, if on one hand he is right that there isnt anything on the otherside of death well that pretty much sucks that you end like that. OTOH if there is a God he sure isnt going to be welcomed in for his non-belief.
« Last Edit: December 16, 2011, 06:46:36 AM by lars1701c »
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Offline docstew

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Re: Christopher Hitchens, 1949–2011
« Reply #6 on: December 16, 2011, 02:58:17 PM »
Quote from: lars1701c on December 16, 2011, 06:25:35 AM
I figured its a lose lose situation for him, if on one hand he is right that there isnt anything on the otherside of death well that pretty much sucks that you end like that. OTOH if there is a God he sure isnt going to be welcomed in for his non-belief.

Otherwise known as Pascal's wager: If I behave as though God exists and I am correct, the gain is infinite. If I am incorrect, the loss is nothing.
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Offline MrsSmith

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Re: Christopher Hitchens, 1949–2011
« Reply #7 on: December 16, 2011, 08:10:58 PM »
Quote from: FreeBorn on December 16, 2011, 12:02:51 AM
Refreshing news. One less socialist jihadist in the world.  :-)
A lot of his writings were "right on."  He was surprisingly smart for such a foolish man.  Those first few minutes after his death were probably a tremendous shock to him.   :(
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Offline BEG

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Re: Christopher Hitchens, 1949–2011
« Reply #8 on: December 16, 2011, 10:17:33 PM »
I liked him. :(
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Offline Big Dog

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Re: Christopher Hitchens, 1949–2011
« Reply #9 on: December 18, 2011, 07:20:03 AM »
Quote from: docstew on December 16, 2011, 02:58:17 PM
Otherwise known as Pascal's wager: If I behave as though God exists and I am correct, the gain is infinite. If I am incorrect, the loss is nothing.

Pascal's wager has one glaring flaw: If I don't believe in God yet behave as though God does, and God exists, then God will know I was faking it. No golden ticket.
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Offline Bertram

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Re: Christopher Hitchens, 1949–2011
« Reply #10 on: December 18, 2011, 04:54:15 PM »
Quote from: docstew on December 16, 2011, 02:58:17 PM
Otherwise known as Pascal's wager: If I behave as though God exists and I am correct, the gain is infinite. If I am incorrect, the loss is nothing.
Problem with Pascal's wager is that Given God's existence, he is omnipotent. He knows all, and by following Pascal's wager your trying to bullshit your way into heaven. God's not going to be oblivious to this fact.
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Offline Eupher

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Re: Christopher Hitchens, 1949–2011
« Reply #11 on: December 21, 2011, 01:51:44 PM »
Quote from: Bertram on December 18, 2011, 04:54:15 PM
Problem with Pascal's wager is that Given God's existence, he is omnipotent. He knows all, and by following Pascal's wager your trying to bullshit your way into heaven. God's not going to be oblivious to this fact.

Well, Bertie, when you stop trying to bullshit God and behave as though you actually believe and take the time to develop a relationship with him, guess what happens?

The relationship happens and, despite your anti-religion stance, you accept God and He you.

Let God work in your life and wonderful things happen. Stop fighting and turning your back on God, and Pascal's wager actually starts making sense because you're no longer bullshitting anybody, least of all God and yourself.
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Offline compaqxp

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Re: Christopher Hitchens, 1949–2011
« Reply #12 on: December 21, 2011, 06:15:21 PM »
Well it's not like it wasn't obvious where this topic would end up and sure enough it's there/very close.

The attitude towards someone like Hitchen's by many who believe is simply ridiculous.

No hard feelings I hope, but some stuff just pisses me off.

Quote from: Mr Mannn on December 16, 2011, 06:01:05 AM
I doubt the meeting will be a pleasant one...for Hitchens.

Why are comments like this even necessary? Seriously.

He's dead and it's not like it matters. You believe and that's all well and good, and he diden't and it's all well and good.

Is it really necessary to speculate about where is in the the "afterlife"? No.

Quote from: docstew on December 16, 2011, 02:58:17 PM
Otherwise known as Pascal's wager: If I behave as though God exists and I am correct, the gain is infinite. If I am incorrect, the loss is nothing.
 

Pascal's wager is simply BS for all the reasons posted above.

You either believe or don't and acting like you do while not truly believing sure as hell is not going to fool any god should one exist.

 
Quote from: Eupher on December 21, 2011, 01:51:44 PM
Let God work in your life and wonderful things happen. Stop fighting and turning your back on God, and Pascal's wager actually starts making sense because you're no longer bullshitting anybody, least of all God and yourself.
 

I don't believe and lots of good things have happened in my life;)

Also how would I be turning my back on something that I don't believe to exist? You may see me turning my back on something because you believe, but I don't as I don't believe the thing you think I'm turning my back on exists.

I know what you guy's think about sin and that, but the idea a person who lived a more or less good life like all/most of you would be sent to a hell for non belief (as alluded to in lars1701c post) is ridiculous. In my opinion any god that would do that is vile.


Also how long until we see reports and chain mail about alleged death bed conversions like usual?
« Last Edit: December 21, 2011, 06:24:52 PM by compaqxp »
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Offline Mr Mannn

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Re: Christopher Hitchens, 1949–2011
« Reply #13 on: December 21, 2011, 08:19:54 PM »
Quote from: compaqxp on December 21, 2011, 06:15:21 PM
Why are comments like this even necessary? Seriously.
After the things he said about people of faith? Turnabout is fair play.

There are atheists who treat people of faith with dignity. I will respect those people.
But atheists who are bigoted, hateful men, who are unable to accept freedom of worship...They get all the respect they gave me.
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Offline Eupher

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Re: Christopher Hitchens, 1949–2011
« Reply #14 on: December 22, 2011, 07:56:09 AM »
compaq, whether or not you believe what I believe, in my view it's incredibly arrogant, egotistical and short-sighted to fail to understand that there is a Power greater than Self.

There's simply no way that all of this can be created by anything other than God who is beyond understanding.

Your post above indicates a relatively thin skin on this subject.

Are you sure you're sure that God doesn't exist? Or are you simply wishing it?

It comes down to simply accepting. Or not. If you do not accept, you turn your back. Real simple.
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