Now He Knows: Christopher Hitchens dead at 62

77 CommentsFamous Lost Words

Famous atheist Christopher Hitchens has died of cancer.

None of us rejoice when an atheist, an enemy, or a friend dies without the Lord. It is indeed a sad day. God himself does not rejoice in the death of the wicked and no believer should either. Should we talk about it? Of course. Did Hitchens make a big deal of his atheism in life? Of course. Now we’ll talk about where that unbelief leads in his death.

As a warning.

“Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways…” (Ezekiel 33:11)

This from ABC News: He achieved his greatest notoriety with the 2007 best-seller “God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything,” in which he dismissed faith as wish fulfillment and religion as “the main source of hatred in the world.”

With its publication, Hitchens became the public face of atheism. Critics assumed his cancer diagnosis, in 2010, would lead Hitchens to relent and embrace God. But he remained a proud non-believer to the very end, as he made clear in an early October 2011 speech at the annual Atheist Alliance of America convention in Houston, as he accepted the Freethinker of the Year Award.

His body gaunt from the ravages of cancer, Hitchens said, “We have the same job we always had: to say that there are no final solutions; there is no absolute truth; there is no supreme leader; there is no totalitarian solution that says if you would just give up your freedom of inquiry, if you would just give up, if you would simply abandon your critical faculties, the world of idiotic bliss can be yours.”

…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2: 10-11)

Read the contrast of beliefs between he and his brother by clicking here.

Comments (77)

  1. BathTub

    Reply

    Well we already knew how ghoulish many Christians are, congratulations on being the first one I’ve read so far, no doubt the first of many.

      • Nohm

        A chance to believe in something that he’s given no good reason to believe in? I wouldn’t hold my breath.

      • Dr. Donny

        I guess you wouldn’t understand because you don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

      • Nohm

        “I guess you wouldn’t understand because you don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”

        So, I guess BathTub and I don’t have a chance, then.

        Right?

      • Dr. Donny

        Nohm, Yes, it is as you say. Unless the Holy Spirit awakens you to the truth of God, you won’t understand.

      • Nohm

        Dr Donny wrote: “Unless the Holy Spirit awakens you to the truth of God, you won’t understand.”

        How incredibly nonpersuasive and unconvincing.

        If a Muslim said the same thing to you, would you buy it?

      • Dr. Donny

        But it’s true, see, you’re not persuaded or convinced, Jesus says unless a man be born again, he will not see the kingdom of heaven”

        So, tell me what you do believe in? if it’s not God, then what is it?

      • Dr. Donny

        A muslim would never say that, they believe that allah is the only true God.

      • theB1ackSwan

        Can you name a specific instance where BathTub has promoted the hatred of Christians?

      • vintango2k

        I wouldn’t say the ‘many Christians’ line Bathtub, I’ve encountered many Christians who wouldn’t act in this way or would empathize with the loss of a human being rather than using this as a talking point.

      • Hayzoose

        No, it’s hatred of your death cult theology. Christians are basically just pitiful. Though a fair number are also very unlikable.

      • carl

        @A Soldier for Jesus

        If anyone spoke about Hitchens in a crude, derogatory, disrespetful way the atheists would be crying foul. Yet it is common for atheists to purposely use crude, derogatory, disrespectful and inflamatory language when talking about our Lord, our God and our Bible with the intent to insult Christians.

        Have you noticed that too?

      • Nohm

        Carl,

        I have not cried foul, and I’m an atheist. Therefore, again you tar with a broad brush. At some point I hope you will stop doing this.

        Also, you and I can agree that Christopher Hitchens existed. We are not so much in agreement with the existence of your Lord or your God.

        You assume quite a lot about people’s motives, and appear to be calling the kettle black.

      • BathTub

        Yes, Stormy, by pointing out Steves death cult obsession I am totally milking Hitchens death to promote my hatred of Christians, what a totally sane and rational comment that was.

      • vintango2k

        At Hayzoose, in an effort to stop the bigotry and stereotyping, please stop with posts like that. Try and be the better person here.

    • carl

      Reply

      BathTub isn’t your comment the same type of comment you were complaining and objecting to on other posts?

      Vintango I’m surprised you haven’t substituted “Christians” in BathTub’s comment for some other group.

      I’m not offended. I’m just pointing out a little inconsistancy in your positions.

      • BathTub

        Specifics carl?… I know, I know you hate backing up what you say, I guess that’s carl I hear running away.

      • vintango2k

        I’ve stopped doing that Carl, because Steve started erasing my posts.

      • vintango2k

        The only thing I would ask is that if Steve is going to start censoring bigotry, he start doing it across the board, believer and non-believer alike and not pick and choose, we should all stop painting with such a nasty broad brush. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

    • RubyTea

      Reply

      Indeed. Quite possibly the greatest debater of our time.

      Of course, if the hell-believers are right after all, I’ll get to meet him there!

      • Dr. Donny

        How do you know you will meet him there? I’m sorry RubyTea, hell is a place of mental and physical torment, with weeping and gnashing of teeth. You will be alone in your torment. It’s very sad RubyTea.

      • Nohm

        “How do you know you will meet him there? I’m sorry RubyTea, hell is a place of mental and physical torment, with weeping and gnashing of teeth. You will be alone in your torment. It’s very sad RubyTea.”

        Nah, I got a revelation a while back that shows that Hell is actually a really nice place, with people discussing issues and speaking freely about their opinions.

        I’m sorry that you did not also receive this divine revelation.

      • RubyTea

        How do you know you will meet him there? I’m sorry RubyTea, hell is a place of mental and physical torment, with weeping and gnashing of teeth. You will be alone in your torment. It’s very sad RubyTea.

        How do you know I won’t meet him there? How do you know such a place exists, and if it does, how do you know what it’s like?

      • Dr. Donny

        Oh really? you got a revelation? I’d love to hear more about it. what else did the revelation reveal to you? The Word of God( The Bible) says that it is a place of unquenchable fire, eternal fire, a place of torment day and night, just to name a few from the book of Matthew, Psalms, and Daniel. The wicked will consciously suffer shame and contempt and the assaults of an accusing conscience. not to mention the wrath of offending God. and Deuteronomy 32:3-5 says that “those who are there will know that their punishment is just and that they are alone to blame.

        But I don’t want you to go there!! Yes, there is a hell, yes there is eternal punishment but we have offended a Holy God with our sin and rebellion. God is just. A penalty had to be paid for sin. But God in His mercy became a man in Jesus Christ to die on the cross and take our punishment so we don’t have to, He became our substitute. He is the only One who can do this. None of us on this earth can. When we reject this gift, we send ourselves to hell, not God. He is given us a way out in Jesus Christ.

        RubyTea, please, before you send me a reply or get angry, or laugh at these words, please ask yourself, Where will I go when I die?Heaven or hell? Is there absolute Truth? Don’t rely on “what you believe” ask yourself, what is truth? Truth can’t be relative. It has to be absolute. please research and think about what I said. thanks for listening.

      • Nohm

        Dr. Donny wrote:

        “Where will I go when I die?”

        I’ll be dead, so “I” won’t be “going” anywhere.

        “Heaven or hell?”

        I have no reason to believe either place exists outside of the imagination.

        “Is there absolute Truth?”

        Depends on how you define it. Reality is “absolute truth”, from a certain point of view.

        “Don’t rely on “what you believe” ask yourself, what is truth?”

        “Truth” is that which matches with reality.

        “Truth can’t be relative.”

        Depends on your definition of “truth”.

        “It has to be absolute.”

        You are creating a false dichotomy between the words “relative” and “absolute”. There are other options.

        “please research”

        I have. Research is good stuff.

        “and think about what I said.”

        I have. You are stating your beliefs, but you’ve given me no reason to accept them as matching with reality. In other words, I see no reason to think that this is “Truth”.

      • Nohm

        Dr Donny wrote:

        “Oh really? you got a revelation?”

        Nah, I was just kidding. I had a point, but if you didn’t get the joke, I should just drop it.

      • RubyTea

        RubyTea, please, before you send me a reply or get angry,

        Why would I be angry? Do you honestly think you are the first person to tell me that I’m hellbound for not sharing your religion? You’re not the fiftieth.

        or laugh at these words,

        I don’t think there’s very much that’s funny about a belief in infinite torture as punishment for a finite, victimless crime.

        please ask yourself, Where will I go when I die?

        I won’t go anywhere. I won’t exist anymore, because I will be dead.

        Heaven or hell?

        You act like these are the only choices. I’ll pick C: neither of the above.

        Is there absolute Truth?

        Depends on what you mean by “absolute.”

        Don’t rely on “what you believe”

        Don’t worry about that–I don’t believe in anything supernatural.

        ask yourself, what is truth? Truth can’t be relative. It has to be absolute.

        Why? Because you say so? It would help your case if you presented evidence to back up your statements.

        please research and think about what I said. thanks for listening.

        Please research what? An afterlife? There is no good evidence whatsoever of the existence of a “soul” or “spirit” that can survive absent a working brain. If you have something specific you think I should read, I will consider it.

      • Dr. Donny

        Definition of truth by Webster,
        the quality of being true, genuine, actual, or factual: fidelity to a required standard or law.a proven or verified principle or statement;

    • Dr. Donny

      Reply

      These are not my beliefs, what I think doesn’t matter. Only what God says matters. you said you research, I challenge you to prove me wrong. and you have to give me both sides.

      You seem like a smart guy, you must have an intellect.

      • Nohm

        Prove you wrong about exactly what, Dr. Donny?

        You want me to try to prove your beliefs-as-a-whole wrong? Don’t hold your breath; you have far more invested in your beliefs than I do.

        Dr. Donny, I’m not a theist, so saying “what God says matters” is meaningless to me.

        Bring up a subject of research, and I can discuss it. For the record, if you’re making a claim, it’s not my job to prove you wrong; you have to support your claims.

        Otherwise, you get this: Dr. Donny owes me $100,000. PROVE ME WRONG!

        Pay up, Doc.

        (btw, I thought you’re supposed to bypass the intellect.)

      • Nohm

        To clarify, the following are your beliefs, which you’ve given me no reason to accept as being truthful (only that you believe them to be truthful):

        1. God exists
        2. Heaven exists
        3. Hell exists

        For the sake of discussion, I’ll agree that absolute truth exists, if “truth” is defined as “that which matches with reality”. I just think that the word “absolute” is redundant there.

      • Nohm

        I’ll agree that absolute truth exists, if “truth” is defined as “that which matches with reality”.

        Note: this means that the phrase “relative truth” is meaningless, because that would be using a different definition for the word “truth”.

      • Dr. Donny

        I agree, truth is truth. good point. but so many people today make truth relative to their own beliefs. Which doesn’t make sense.

        So, “if” there is a God and if there is a heaven and hell, where will you go when you die?

      • theB1ackSwan

        Dr. Donny,

        You’re still making a logical fallacy. It still isn’t an either/or decision by merely qualifying it with “if”. For instance, there can exist a God, and there can be a place called Heaven and a place called Hell, and I can go to neither.

  5. Nicholas Landsman

    Reply

    I have never read his books, yet I am inclined to agree that religion is not the answer. Grace is. Religion itself has the effect of separating one’s self from God, from the need for a Savior in Christ Jesus. What I find most disturbing is that most people, Christians and Atheists alike do not separate the Bible from religion. Christians are not Christians because they identify themselves as christian, they are because others see Christ living in them and would call them Christ-like, Christians.

    For it is written:
    “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

    Religion can save no one… the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the cheif priests, the teachers of the law, they were religious, they were dead in their sins…

    Yet it is also written:
    “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

    Hitchens is right to say that “religion” is wish fulfillment, yet seemingly, he sadly missed the point of religion, of the law, to show us that we need a Savior, not to replace God and result in self-righteousness, but to point us to Jesus… May Hitchens have had a moment of awakening in his dying moments, may he have seen Christ and accepted the free gift of salvation through grace, by Christ’s sacrifice and offering Himself for us all, for God himself has redeemed us from all we have done… for no man knows who will go to heaven or hell, except God Himself…

    Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Christ…

    Grace and peace to you all this night in God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

    Glory be to God the Father in Christ Jesus!

    • Godlesspanther

      Reply

      I get a few things going on in your post here. One is that you would like to see your religion as being unique — separate from all others — so you claim that it is “not a religion.” Ok, if that’s what you would like to believe — fine. Just be aware of the fact that this is typical — far from unique — very typical of religious cult constructs. Most cults claim that their group is somehow different then all the rest — it makes you feel real special. huh? That’s the point.

      Then when you spout Bible quotes — uh, this looks rather inconsistent with your “not a religion” claim. A magic book that is always right is a defining characteristic of –religion. But that’s OK, whatever turns your nose red.

      Then, I’m getting some Calvinist determinism here. It appears that you believe that Jesus has already determined who is going to be saved and who is not. SO, it looks like my salvation is not in the cards and there is nothing that I can do about it because the grand-cosmic-cupcake has already made up his mind and decided that I’m going to hell.

      Well, whatever makes you feel special and superior — if that’s what you feel you need, then go for it — even if it makes no sense whatsoever.

      • Nicholas Landsman

        Hi panther,

        Thank you for your comments, it is good to hear your thoughts on the post. It may help you understand the post better if I give some definitions and perspective on the language used.

        If you look up the word, “religion,” you will find the modern definition is rather broad, such as that found in the Oxford dictionary:

        “the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods”

        However, if you look at the origin of the word section you will find:

        “Middle English (originally in the sense ‘life under monastic vows’): from Old French, or from Latin religio(n-) ‘obligation, bond, reverence’, perhaps based on Latin religare ‘to bind'”

        Therefore, considering the origin of the word to enlighten the modern usage, there is an arguable contrast. That is, the origin of the word, religion, lends to a more specific definition including obligations, bondage, and regulations as a means of worship and acceptance from this personal God or gods. This also leads to judgement of those outside your specific belief system. This is what Hitchens, and rightly so, claims to be poisonous, and the source of hatred. The Gospel of Jesus Christ does not preach such things. I would suggest reading and meditating on the four gospel accounts again and see if this is not the case. The Gospel sets us free and gives us life to the full. It itself is not a religion, for Jesus did not come to start a new system of bondage. This is unique to the Gospel, and if you do not agree after reading the gospel accounts, then tell me, what religion or cult may you site that shares its (the Gospel) message of freedom. Of the free gift of salvation from death, bondage to sin and the law (“religion”), and then leads to eternal life ?

        Furthermore, I am not special, and I imagine that you are a better man or woman than I am; I’m just a sinner like everyone else on Earth, and I need a Savior, for in my flesh I am weak, very weak.

        A magic book you say? Interesting choice of words. Tell me, what about the Bible makes you think of it as magical? What about it makes it untrustworthy as historical fact? Please apply the same tests of validity to any historical text, recent or from antiquity. Yet consider this quote from a self-proclaimed Atheist or Pantheist, depending on which of his writings or interviews you read, as he was an interesting character:

        “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
        -Arthur C. Clarke

        If the Bible is seemingly magical, could it be because of a primitive understanding of the world we live in? Just a thought.

        Calvinist determinism? No sir or madam. Quite the contrary. The work for your salvation has already been completed, all that you need do is recognize it, accept the need for a Savior, and He will do the rest… the choice is yours, for God does not desire that any should perish… as posted earlier, God Himself, in the person of Jesus the Christ, has redeemed us from all we have done, and on that note I am left speechless….

        Grace and peace to you,

        Nick

  6. Hayzoose

    Reply

    Looks like you won the Death Cult Ghoul contest. Who will finish second, Comfort or Miano?

    • Nohm

      Reply

      “What happens to your spirit?”

      There’s no evidence that any such “spirit” exists, unless you know of any evidence for it.

      I would be very interested to see that.

      First, though, please define the word “spirit”, as you are currently using it.

  9. Thomas Moore

    Reply

    It is sad, but thank God, Hitchens was wrong in his thinking. Thank you Jesus that you have overcome death!

  10. Godlesspanther

    Reply

    It’s really convenient for the fundie Christians, Muslims, and other cult members who believe in eternal reward and punishment in an after-life, how they are absolutely certain that some non-believers are going to hell.

    Christopher Hitchens, according to them is in hell for sure. Are you going to hell? The fundie is absolutely certain that he/she will go to heaven. Ghandi? — uh, we don’t know — that’s up to God.

    If a person’s ideology changes to whatever happens to be convenient for them at the time — then it’s a bunch of hooey.

    • Steve Sanchez

      Reply

      The interesting thing about all the atheist responses is that they are making a claim I have not made. I never said that Hitchens is in Hell, nor Heaven. The only thing I wrote is that He Knows Now. If you are a Christian you will know what finally happens; if you are an atheist, you will finally know.

      • Godlesspanther

        Well Steve, perhaps you did not say exactly, “Christopher Hitchens is in hell.” You did, however, make the following statement:

        “None of us rejoice when an atheist, an enemy, or a friend dies without the Lord. It is indeed a sad day. God himself does not rejoice in the death of the wicked and no believer should either. Should we talk about it? Of course. Did Hitchens make a big deal of his atheism in life? Of course. Now we’ll talk about where that unbelief leads in his death.

        As a warning.”

        This clearly implies that you believe that Hitchens is in hell.

        That aside, how is it that you determine that there are only Christians and atheists in the world? Are people who fir in neither category just not worth mentioning? Or does that make it too complicated for you and you can’t handle anything beyond a strictly binary concept?

        According to the ideology of the born-again evangelical protestant “christians” on must belong to that particular brand of Christianity in order to avoid the eternal flames of hell. Is this correct? Or can one who does not believe in Jesus get into heaven by some other means?

  11. Nameless Cynic

    Reply

    It always confuses me, this perverse pleasure evangelicals take whenever an atheist dies. They mask it with feigned pearl-clutching (“Now he certainly knows indeed. What a fearful day for him. Very sad.”) and pious mentalism (“He always has known, he simply suppressed the truth in unrighteousness. Romans 1”), but it boils down to the same thing – rejoicing in the death of someone who disagrees with you.

    How very… Christian.

    • Steve Sanchez

      Reply

      None of us rejoice when an atheist, an enemy, or a friend dies without the Lord. It is indeed a sad day. God himself does not rejoice in the death of the wicked and no believer should either. Should we talk about it? Of course. Did Hitchens make a big deal of his atheism in life? Of course. Now we’ll talk about where that unbelief leads in his death.

      As a warning.

      • phil

        There is nothing wrong with Steve’s post. There is plenty wrong with some of the comments some people have made in here today about STeve.

  12. Nohm

    Reply

    No one knows what he now knows, if in fact he knows anything right now.

    Since his brain is dead, I don’t see how it’s possible for him to know anything.

    Condolences to his family and friends.

  13. phil

    Reply

    I’m am going to say a prayer for Peter Hitchens, the Hitchens family and friends of Christopher Hitchens.

    Just like Steve said, “None of us rejoice when an atheist, an enemy, or a friend dies without the Lord. It is indeed a sad day.”

  15. Dr. Donny

    Reply

    Yes, your earthly body ceases to exist. I agree.

    @Nohm, First let me ask you, do you have a memory?

    • Nohm

      Reply

      How so, Paul? He simply said that, in his opinion, there is no “absolute” truth. How do you get “there is no truth to his own claim” from that?

  17. Really?

    Reply

    Whoever uses the bible as evidence is wrong. A BOOK WITH NO REFERENCES, CITATIONS, OR FACTUAL EVIDENCE IS NOT NOR CAN BE USED AS EVIDENCE FOR GOD.

    Mein Kampf promotes homophobia, xenophobia, and anti-semitism. It too lacks references and evidence, like the bible, does that mean we take Mein Kampf literally, like many take the bible literally?

    • Nicholas Landsman

      Reply

      Hi Really?,

      The Bible does contain internal references and some external references, I would point you to the books of Chronicles and Kings for some that I can think of off hand. They are included in such references as:

      External reference:
      “Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, from first to last, are they not written in the records of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat?”

      “Now the rest of the acts of Solomon and whatever he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?”

      Internal References:
      “Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?”

      “Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, from first to last, behold, are they not written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel?”

      Not relying on internal references would be like not citing previous work that a current author of a publication had previously published to support a claim, it just so happens that the Bible is full of references such as these. If the God of the Bible is supreme, big if for you it seems, then why not cite Himself, His own God breathed Word given unto men (and women) through the Holy Spirit? That would be a bit insane and illogical, wouldn’t you agree?… it would be like not citing the work I did last year in support of what I am doing this year in the lab… If interested, I can try and find some more external references within the Bible and research any relatively recent archaeological significance… this would be a cool exercise…

      God Bless, grace and peace to you,
      Nick

  18. Exatheist

    Reply

    Last I checked Hitchens really rejoiced in saying all kinds of nasty things about the death of various christians including Mother Teresea. But you see when we atheists say that it doesnt count only when Christians act like that it ‘counts’. Ive been there, done that. Atheism is a dead end. Deal with it peeps.

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