The question is why do atheists seem to know everything even concluding that that there is no God when man doesn't even know a millionth of one percent?

I was going to respond about how wrong this comment was. But then I noticed the same person who wrote it also had this to say...

(I know how doomsday will unfold) and other more revelations and experiences, there is no denying that there is only one true God.

Aha, yes, it is the atheists who claim to know things with a certainty (never mind the hand waving).

My provisional conclusion is that those who practice incantations are doing so as much for their sake as mine: no harm in that to be sure and likely to produce just as much of a result.

I'm more extremist than Hitchens on this matter. It's laudatory thing to wish someone well. But praying for one's god to get involved is somewhat like the Mormon practice of baptizing Holocaust victims - it's a case where people, no matter what their belief system, should mind their own business.

Hitchins say:

“It (God) can make me a believer if it chooses, or wave away my carcinoma.”

About waving your carcinoma you are testing the omnipresent, omni this omni that. We have heard such challenges many times before mostly by ignorant and self righteous Pharisees. He did offer you the chances to be a believer in Him when He put in your path many so-called paranormal evidences. Surely you must have had such experience. How about all those haunted castles in your country of England. If you had not personally experienced such a phenomenon you surely must know someone you trust that have. The minute a person believes in a different dimension than the physical world that everybody is familiar with, then the belief in an unseen power that is far greater than our mortal selves would be an easy transition.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xlyofmznOs

@Spiderman2: The question is why do atheists seem to know everything even concluding that that there is no God when man doesn't even know a millionth of one percent?

What a foolish notion. Only religionists such as yourself claim to know ultimate truth. That is why you are so ridiculous.

Dear Christopher,

I just wanted you to know that I found your latest book, Hitch 22, to be a wonderful read. I will not be praying for you (although I wish you all the best) but, in lieu of flowers, will be making a contribution to cancer research in your name to Johns Hopkins University, where people of science are doing real things to help us all.

(If others wish to do likewise, see: http://pathology2.jhu.edu/beweb/support.cfm )

Why is the Christian God the true God? There was a time when I don't know which God is true. But after reading the Bible and have seen the accuracy of its prophecies (I know how doomsday will unfold) and other more revelations and experiences, there is no denying that there is only one true God.

His name is Jesus Christ.

so spidermean, why is this intelligent creator you seem so worried about the christian version?

You completely lack imagination. You say "this about that is false", therefore the christian god is true.

You swim in the fallacies, the false dichotomies, you are one of the most profoundly dull idiots we ever must endure on this forum.

Put someone like you in another place and time and you would be just as fervent about their ridiculous gods as you are about the one you seem so afraid of now.

But you can't see that. You completely lack the ability to consume or produce any kind of abstract thought. You call yourself an engineer, when those of us who are engineers can clearly see you lack the necessary curiosity and intelligence to handle the job.

You are a fool, in fact you even make fools look bad.

"We don't know a millionth of one percent about anything." Thomas Edison

The question is why do atheists seem to know everything even concluding that that there is no God when man doesn't even know a millionth of one percent?

Think, idiots.

"I believe that the science of chemistry alone almost proves the existence of an intelligent creator." (Thomas Edison)

Again it does not matter if Edison owns the quote or not. If one has a brain, he knows that this is perfectly true.

Think, idiots.

The main reason why humanoids and real humans are incomparable (the former being so dumb compared to humans) is because the math and science used to form humans is way out of reach and unfathomable by todays engineers and scientists.

It is that simple and Edison understands that simple fact.

Why not the idiotic atheists?

"I know this world is ruled by infinite intelligence. Everything that surrounds us- everything that exists - proves that there are infinite laws behind it. There can be no denying this fact. It is mathematical in its precision." (Thomas Edison)

Actually it doesn't matter if it comes from Edison or not but if somebody has a brain, he knows that that statement is absolutely true.

Know your math idiots.

A lot more people are going to miss Christopher Hitchens if he dies than are going to miss you, TALLYHOHOHOHO. Simply as a matter of numbers, more people have heard of him.

Does this bother you? How does your not missing him mean anything to anybody? Obviously he's made your faith weaker and you hate him for that. TFB.

An unrepentant atheist meeting his end without the cowardice practiced by the superstitious belief in eternal heaven - more particularly eternal hell, just grinds your gizzard doesn't it?

(2) ridicule the "superstitions" of the believers foolish enough to offer him sympathy he does not want.

if you don't want your superstitions ridiculed then you shouldn't have such ridiculous superstitions.

Hitchens has been ridiculing you and your kind for much of his career, how is this the last thing he wants to do?

You seem to totally miss the point anyway. What a truly fine christian you are, offering hatred to a man dying of cancer. Why do you think most of us not so inflicted with religious mania find your statement about "hating the sin, loving the sinner" to be fatuous masturbation, designed only to give you permission to hate anybody.

His passing is not to be mourned.

Posted by: tallyhohohoho
------------------------------------
Yes, it will. However he is not "passing," so you won't have to worry about that for a while.

Mr. Hitchens does not want believers' prayers or sympathy. Good, because God enjoins believers from casting pearls before swine.

Apparently, Hitchens' last wishes are to (1) proclaim the value of his writing, which surely will not long survive him (after all he is Christopher Hitchens not William Shakespeare), and (2) ridicule the "superstitions" of the believers foolish enough to offer him sympathy he does not want.

Our lives end the way we lived them. His passing is not to be mourned.

The opposite of science is religion. The opposite of chaos is order.

The opposite of spidermean is intelligence.

Thomas Edison sure was an atheist. The atheist quotes websites contain all sorts of wonderful anti-theist quotations from him.

But you wouldn't know that would you spiderboy? Since you never read anything but your putrid bible and are incapable of learning anything from SCIENCE, why should we expect you to be able to absorb any of this. You are human, right, I mean you have an operant brain in that head of yours?

Shall we share a few with spiderboy?

Yes, let's:

"I have never seen the slightest scientific proof of the religious ideas of heaven and hell, of future life for individuals, or of a personal God."

"So far as religion of the day is concerned, it is a damned fake... Religion is all bunk."

I cannot believe in the immortality of the soul. . . . I am an aggregate of cells, as, for instance, New York City is an aggregate of individuals. Will New York City go to heaven? . . . . No; nature made us--nature did it all--not the gods of the religions.

To those seaching for truth -- not the truth of dogma and darkness but the truth brought by reason, search, examination, and inquiry, discipline is required. For faith, as well intentioned as it may be, must be built on facts, not fiction -- faith in fiction is a damnable false hope.

Spidey, you attempt to link your dim intelligence with that of a great mind like Thomas Edison, only to discover that this great mind is one of us ... tell us, how does that make you feel?

Well, we're rolling on the floor :-)

hey spiderboy, Thomas Edison was an atheist.

"The FOOLISH (stupid) man built his house upon the sand". Atheists are plain idiots and the Bible knows it for sure.

The opposite of science is chaos. I as an engineer and Thomas Edison as a great inventor see the science in everything around us. It means that there is a super inteligent being behind it.

Anybody who can't see that is just plain idiot.

It's sad that their stupidity could send them to eternal burning.

Daniel12 wrote, "I think Hitchens is pretty brave. I doubt I would be as brave if having cancer. I tend to vacillate between belief and non-belief because there is no conclusive evidence of God or that he does not exist. Hitchens seems pretty spirited, just enjoying the friends and life he has had which certainly was not the worst of lives. I wish him the best. Certainly he seems an example of man that would not have created God if not having heard of him, and having heard of him rejects the concept. Perhaps God is not needed after all if one is brave. It would be ironic if believers are on the wrong track to God and the goal is to not have to need him if one wants to get to heaven". Take courage Daniel cross the bridge and then detonate it. The exhilaration after that is really splendid. I had been a secular rationalist for past 12 years or so. I got my proof almost 6 years ago to date. My daughter was on verge of going to the medical school, and she was indisposed with some Jaundice like symptoms. Her doctor made me take her to the hospital and get her admitted right from her office. Once in the Hospital we were on tender hooks with a variety of tests and talk of Leukemia & Lymphoma, which was too much to bear. Fortunately it turned out that it was Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, allergic reaction to the new Sulfa drugs she started for her acne. We got through that nightmare. Few months earlier my mother had also fallen severely ill after a few visits to India to see her, she regained her health. Suddenly few weeks after my daughter's bout, I realized that I had not invoked the Sky-daddy or Sky-Mommy for their benediction, to see me through the crisis. That's when it hit me and I yelled out "FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST" in exhilaration that the "god" monkey is of my back. So I encourage you to try it. God is just a psychological crutch. When millions of people can kick the Nicotine habit you definitely can kick the god habit

When my father was dying of cancer, his neice-in law (nephew's wife) took it upon herself to write him a long letter about how important it is to find god before dying. This is a person who was virtually a stranger to us and who we had seen twice. I wanted to write her back. How dare she assume she knows my father's spiritual beliefs! I never for a second thought she did this for anyone but herself (praying for others makes you feel good; it's selfish not selfless, which is a huge distinction in Christianity, by the way!)
We never minded people saying they would pray for him because, other than the above mentioned virtual stranger, because we never encountered the type of "praying" for someone that Hitchens and others have that basically intimates "you're wrong, but I'll pray for you anyway because I'm such a good person".
I was baffled by the people who said to pray for it to go away. Terminal cancer is terminal. My dad's mother kept telling him to hold on, keep going. The doctor's told him to get chemo, eventhough there was no chance of it killing the cancer; only lengthening his misery. None of this was for the benefit of my dad! Prayers don't like bad things to happen and cling to the belief that through pray it won't happen to them (get ready for disapointment!) Grandma didn't want to lose her only son, and the doctors, unfortunately were looking at the money.
Death is personal! I didn't say one word to my father about the above thoughts, because this was his death. His way.
We do not know what's after; so people should stop thinking about their own agendas and LISTEN to what the dying person wants.
If you can't do that, then you are not a good or moral person.
One of the reasons I don't belong to a church or a religion is because there are too many conceited, arrogant people who insist on putting others down. Morality doesn't come from a belief in god; it comes from within.

If Hitchens listens to my advice, he has a much better chance of going to Heaven than any of the popes in the Vatican.

The popes have a slim chance of going to heaven because they already think they are the vicar of Christ and as a result make their own rules and interpretations about God.

Blasphemy is not a minor sin.

Hell is a place where fools congregate.

God is being fair with Hitchens. He has the same opportunity as the two thieves on the cross. Both are about to die and were given their last chance.

One chose to ask forgiveness and the other chose to be a smart aleck.

Despite his being atheist, God is still giving Hitchen a last chance.

That's the character of God. He is merciful.

You ask forgiveness and He will give you unfathomable happiness in heaven. Chose to be proud and sarcastic like the other thief and you would end up in everlasting fire.

That's the rule of the game. You don't ask why because I think even God cannot change the rules.

God will forget everything just like the thief on the cross if you just be wise enough to be humble.

Thomas Edison has no respect for religion but by pure intelligence, he knows there is a God. He said :

"I know this world is ruled by infinite intelligence. Everything that surrounds us- everything that exists - proves that there are infinite laws behind it. There can be no denying this fact. It is mathematical in its precision."

In his last days of his life, I hope Hitchens, for once in his life, should use his brain.

Leave an address to send cards and bottles. I'll be happy to join you remotely in a nose-thumbing at our inevitable deaths.

Hitch,

Get well.

Farnaz

I think Hitchens is pretty brave. I doubt I would be as brave if having cancer. I tend to vacillate between belief and non-belief because there is no conclusive evidence of God or that he does not exist. Hitchens seems pretty spirited, just enjoying the friends and life he has had which certainly was not the worst of lives. I wish him the best. Certainly he seems an example of man that would not have created God if not having heard of him, and having heard of him rejects the concept. Perhaps God is not needed after all if one is brave. It would be ironic if believers are on the wrong track to God and the goal is to not have to need him if one wants to get to heaven.

I wish you well. I too don't understand religion. I was baptized catholic and partly raised as a Jehovah’s Witness; both extremely dogmatic religions. I say that to state I've studied religion my entire life. The story of Jesus has been told for thousands of years before Jesus; the same story with different deities, from all over the world. Are we to blindly believe the Vatican is and has been completely honest? For what it’s worth, I believe in science not religion. My research has led me to believe the bible is metaphorical not reality, and mostly about control. I believe the Universe(s) (Yes more than one) is teaming with life…that Jesus didn’t create. Finally, religion has been the cause of more deaths, wars, crimes against humanity, and fraud more than anything. Religion was CREATED by man to explain the things that science could not at the time. How can anyone blindly swear by something no one can honestly say they have proof of? Mr. Hitchens I hope you’re cured and continue to live the life you want to live. I will NOT pray for you however, I wish you good luck.

I wish you well. I too don't understand religion. I was baptized catholic and partly raised as a Jehovah’s Witness; both extremely dogmatic religions. I say that to state I've studied religion my entire life. The story of Jesus has been told for thousands of years before Jesus; the same story with different deities, from all over the world. Are we to blindly believe the Vatican is and has been completely honest? For what it’s worth, I believe in science not religion. My research has led me to believe the bible is metaphorical not reality, and mostly about control. I believe the Universe(s) (Yes more than one) is teaming with life…that Jesus didn’t create. Finally, religion has been the cause of more deaths, wars, crimes against humanity, and fraud more than anything. Religion was CREATED by man to explain the things that science could not at the time. How can anyone blindly swear by something no one can honestly say they have proof of? Mr. Hitchens I hope you’re cured and continue to live the life you want to live. I will NOT pray for you however, I wish you good luck.

Claiming that faith has any intellectual component is not something of comfort to anyone committed to reason. Blindly believing the words from a book written by wild eyed self proclaimed prophets is equivalent to wishing for a trip to OZ. There are those of us on your side Christopher who understand the frustration you must feel and endure by the lack of understanding of those who shut off their minds when a question of an imaginary deity is presented. Get well and stay strong.

That's nice DR_RWM. But that's is simply your belief, your opinion as it were. I have attended Catholics, Mormons, Muslims, Jews, Taoists, Hindus, Buddhists and Atheists. And every single one of them have precisely the same character trait: They are absolutely convinced, without any shred of doubt that they are right. I have heard all of them testify to me with forceful certitude as to their convictions. What I find most odd is that they are far less certain about truths that have been arrived at through a thorough use of empirics and actual observation.

Little wonder that so many people today prefer to believe in fanciful, entertaining falsehoods and myths but turn up their noses to objective truth supported by facts and observations. Case in point: Our advanced science and technology now permits us to gaze deep into the Cosmos and actually see world being created in various stages of development from an amorphous interstellar gas to a fully developed sun, planet or moon all by dint of the natural forces of gravity and electromagnetism. Yet, we reject that in favor of the romantic hokum that some SuperBeing--who always curiously is identified by the male gender appellation "He"--magically created all that there is for some mysterious reason known only to "Him".

MY SONS ARE ATHEISTS, THEY KNOW THERE IS SPIRIT, THEY JUST DO NOT BELIEVE THERE IS A GOD. THE CHRISTIAN RIGHT TURNED THEM OFF WHEN THEY WERE VERY YOUNG.

Actually, I agree with Hitchens on this. Look. This is his death. He does not need a bunch of hyper-partisan fundamentalists trying to convert him at the last minute on his death bed just so they can claim another victory in their ridiculous culture war.

Isn't it curious that this ultra-sensitivity to a belief in a Deity occurs when death is imminent. It tells us something. That such beliefs are motivated by a fear of what happens the moment we die. Personally, I like to keep an open mind about it. Look, when you boil it down, there are really only two possibilities: (1) We survive. Only at that point can we begin to ask questions about what that means. Questions concerning all of the religious beliefs on earth from Reincarnation to the various theological notions of where we go once we have passed over, and (2) Our consciousness, personality, history, memory all does with us. We do not survive and have no capacity from then on to know or question anything because all that we were, knew, learned, loved--everything, is no longer available to us. And we won't even have the capacity to grieve over that loss. Nothing will matter because we won't know anything.

Indeed, somewhere in the Bible is a passage that says: The Dead Know Nothing.

I like to paraphrase what Woody Allen once said (instead of quoting from the Bible or some other religious bible): Some people like to believe in fortune cookies and some like to believe in religions. They are both illusions to make them feel good. Those who are more successful in their illusions are generally happier. The one difference is people who believe in fortune cookies don't normally try to impose their belief on others by doing something like praying for others as if others are missing out on something real - well, except the restaurant owners.

"Why is it that atheists hate Christians, but Christians do not hate atheists."

We hate being preached to. We've heard it all our lives and we are sick of it. We don't believe any of it. Give it a rest, already. Worry about your own soul and morality. Mine is just fine as it is. Just be glad you won't have to see me hanging round in your heavan. Lord knows, I don't want to hear your sermons for an eternity! That would be hell, indeed.

Character is built from adversity. Illness is an opportunity to reveal your inner strength.

I find when someone "prays" for me, it is for their own selfish reasons. if I have no problem requiring prayer from my own perspective, I find Christians and others faiths "offer" to pray for my happiness. The ONLY problem is they never bothered to ask if I am unhappy. They made an "assumption" based on my illness, I must be unhappy, because they would surely be unhappy if they found themselves in my position.

How absurd.

Pray for your selves and do not waste time telling others you are praying for them, as prayer does not work that way. Your faith does not lead to my salvation, nor will your prayers work on or for me.

This is common sense thinking.

i hope Christopher remains strong and maintains a fighting spirit until the end of his life,a s this is the only true measure of courage. A Fighting Spirit and a seeking mind.

"Why is it that atheists hate Christians, but Christians do not hate atheists."

Just as you do not speak for all Christians (there are many Christians who wish grievous harm on atheists), you do not speak for all atheists.

Atheists, like any group of people -- red-heads, poker players, disc jockeys, and so on -- do not all have the same beliefs. The only person you can speak for is yourself.

So, speaking for myself, I can say that I don't hate Christians. I view them the same way I view Buddhists, Muslims, Wiccans, Hindus, animists, and worshippers of Baal, Ra, Odin, Thor, Zeus, Athena and so on. Each one is a different person. Some are good, some are bad. The ones that act immorally, unethically or sow hatred are a blight on this earth, no matter what their belief system might be.

My guess -- and that's all it can be -- is that I view Christians the same way they view adherents of other religions. The only difference is that I don't pretend to have absolute knowledge of how the universe works, and what happens when we die. As long as people behave morally and ethically, their religious belief system is irrelevant. If their core tenet is that doing harm to others is wrong and they abide by that, their ideas about the afterlife don't really matter.

Despite what some Christians may think, ethics and morality are independent of religion. In many ways, religious affectations obscure ethical and moral decisions (for example, the dogma of papal infallibility).

The problem with religion arises when its practitioners disregard their own rules on ethics and morality and persecute others, usually justifying it because it's God's Will. When persons of any moral philosophy do this it is wrong. Some pagans persecuted Christians during Roman times, some Christians persecuted Muslims during the Crusades, some Catholics persecuted the Huguenots in France, some atheists persecuted Christians in the USSR, some Muslims are bent on harming the West now (and vice-versa, I'm sure).

That no religion or political philosophy is innocent of bloodshed says more about the nature of mankind than it does about religion or philosophy. Religion is supposed to curb our baser instincts, but when it's used to fan the flames of hatred and intolerance it becomes the worst possible parody of itself.

Christians who tell Hitchens they will pray for him are not doing it for any reason except to get the last word. It isn't a loving thing to do at all. The good Christians (in the small minority) would be wanting to make him feel better, not worse. Although I've heard him say he doesn't mind if they do it. It just doesn't mean anything to him. I've found atheists to be kinder and more moral than many Christians and they aren't doing it to get a good seat in the afterlife.

The only thing more bizarre than praying for someone's recovery is praying for someone after they've died.

It's absolutely crazy. Even if you believe it's crazy. It's like you think God is sitting up there waiting to give his final judgment on your soul based on how many fans you have. "Ok. I was going to send you to the hot place, but someone pulled together a bunch of nuns to do a novena for you .... So come on up" [I think that's where the Price is Right got their slogan. Divine inspiration.]

Another crazy thing I hear from Christians is when someone dies they say stuff like ... "He/She will be reunited with his wife/husband."

I don't say anything but if you're a Christian, Jesus of Nazareth was pretty clear on that point. There is no marriage in heaven. [He did leave open the possibility that there is marriage in the hot place.] It's right there in the New Testament. It's not even an obscure Christian lesson, it was one of the biggies in Catechism class or Sunday school.

Why is it that atheists hate Christians, but Christians do not hate atheists. If atheists believe there is no God then they should just laugh us Christians off when we say that we will "pray for them". If anything, atheists should consider us silly fools for believing in a fairy tale! and maybe feel sorry for us instead of being angry at us....As a Christian, I DO NOT feel that I am superior over ANYONE! We are all equal...

Posted by: depaughyahoocom

In other words, you think you're superior to atheists. In fact, you think you're superior to people of other religious beliefs as well. By omission, Christians are the only ones that DO NOT feel that you are superior. This is logical. If those other religions [or atheism] was superior to Christianity you would join that group. But you're a Christian. Which is the BEST.

God Bless Hitchens. I can't think of anyone else who sees so clearly and unsentimentally, and speaks so eloquently. He is a worthy successor to Voltaire in his quest to ecrasez l'infame. I would love to talk over the world with him over a few drinks at a bar.

The comment below is a sterling example of why so many people have so little respect for self-styled "Christians". This smug, sanctimonious, self-serving blather would irritate a saint. For God's sake, a little introspection, please, and fewer explanatory parentheses.
It takes either an extremely vain, ignorant or oblivious creature to think he is going to one-up Hitchins, even on his worst day. And, in your holy transport, you failed to capitalize one of the hs in a "his".
Go and sin no more.
***********************

Christopher, your strong sentiments tempt me to react strongly. But "a soft answer turns away wrath." Your anger is not a surprise, nor its target. But God (I believe "He", not "it") is big enough to invite you to put Him to the test. Is He who He says He is? Surprise! The God of the universe is a loving God. He sent His Son to die for you so that you might know His love and walk through this life not cursing the darkness but walking in the light of His love. Test him. View your life through His eyes, not your own, and your eyes will be opened to how precious you are to Him. I invite you to take part in The Cancer Cure Experiment at www.TheCancerCureExperiment.com.

POSTED BY: DR_RWM | SEPTEMBER 20, 2010 10:29 AM
REPORT OFFENSIVE COMMENT

Sans a medically related occupation, being a denizen of a chemotherapy suite is Hellish. The chemotherapy that palliates tortures eo ipso; well wishers might consider the possibility that paragraphs inimical to his life's philosophy comfort him not at all.

It's a little undignified and lazy of Mr. Hitchens to complain about the manners of those asking him about the basis of his morals. The question is straight-forward, and calls for a straight-forward answer. One as articulate as Mr. Hitchens should have no trouble providing a cogent and interesting answer.

Sniping at others' manners is always undignified. But with Mr. Hitchens it is worse. Unlike Mr. Hitchens' questioners, I would expect that Mr. Hitchens ought to have no more difficulty answering for the basis of his morality without gods than a believer would have answering for the basis of his morality based upon his belief in God. So I am disappointed that, instead of answering the question, Mr. Hitchens just attacks the manners of his questioners. It's pretty intellectually lazy.

Kingofkings$1, your comment to Mr. Hitchens is, "Get a life!" This is addressed to a man with terminal cancer? What more evidence does one need of the boreishness and insensitivity of some believers. Perhaps this was meant in the spirit of Jesus who told his followers that life can only be gained by taking up his cross and following him, but I doubt it.
Posted by: csintala79 |

----------------------------------------

Csintala, you are on the right track, but not right regarding my intentions. I meant God could give him life - whether it is the temporary, or the more permanent afterlife, if he chooses to accept it.

Ombudsman1 wrote: "I don't understand the issue. If you truly don't believe, then it's irrelevant what people say or do. It's like if you heard a witch doctor was sticking pins into a doll of you. Who would care?"

Well, when I hear your religion is going to be a required part of my kid's third grade class you bet I care, just as you would care if your kid had to listen to some religion you do not believe in.

Ombudsman1 wrote: "And if Hitchens had any sense of grace and really had strong convictions, he'd chuckle and say "Thanks, I appreciate your concern"."

Well, that would assume he considers those praying for him to be sane. If your lived in Delaware and your neighbor was a witch running for the senate, and she sat in the driveway chanting spells to heal your swine flu, would you just chuckle? What if it were thousands of people doing it to help you?

Ombudsman1 wrote: "Seems to me what Hitchens is afraid of is that his cancer will be cured, and he'll have to then deal with the implications of that."

I'm sure he is looking forward to dealing with that (geeez this is where the sanity issue comes in)...

Ombudsman1 wrote: "Or even worse, he goes to the pearly gates and god says "Well, you didn't believe, but the prayers for you convinced me to let you in"."

Are you going to worry about the Hindu gods not letting you into paradise? How about having to face Thor? Are you prepared? Does it bother you? If not maybe you can get an inkling of why it does not bother an atheist. And just where in the bible does it describe pearly gates? Do you realize your religion has drifted over the thousands of years and would be unrecognizable to the early christians?

Ombudsman1 wrote: "Personally, I think he'd rather die and be correct than live and be wrong."

He is correct.

Ombudsman1 wrote: "He's funny. I think I'll say a prayer for him."

I think Hitch would you rather ask yourself why you think you can petition the Lord and why the Lord would turn his head and listen to your concerns. Just how does directing God's power make you feel? What do you do when nothing happens?

Oh Hitchens, just ignore them for they do not know what they do. They do not understand their belief is due to their superior brains able to do what no animal can, imagine. And when they imagine a god what a powerful thing it is. Its like a drug, comforting, and what many run to in times of distress.

But a truly intelligent mind can see this side effect of our intelligence everywhere, in our history and around the world. Those who pray for you believe in only one of hundreds of thousands of religions that have existed, yet they think all the others are as simplistic and wrong as believing in Santa, another belief they fell for in their youth for the same reasons. They don't understand why christians have christian kids, muslims have muslim kids and jews have jewish kids. It ain't in the genes yet they don't see the power of indoctrination, which they willfully take to every week.

So take heart Hitchens. I have worked in cancer research for 30 years and can say that the medical acre you receive will be better than any person in history has received, and none of it came from prayer or belief but came from science and searching for truth. And when these believers get sick, they will go to the one church they truly believe in, the nearest hospital, where real miracles occur daily thanks to those who put religion aside to advance the human condition.

Take care Hitchens and be well.

Why is it that atheists hate Christians, but Christians do not hate atheists. If atheists believe there is no God then they should just laugh us Christians off when we say that we will "pray for them". If anything, atheists should consider us silly fools for believing in a fairy tale! and maybe feel sorry for us instead of being angry at us....As a Christian, I DO NOT feel that I am superior over ANYONE! We are all equal...

Posted by: depaughyahoocom

Don't worry your pretty little head, we do actually consider you silly fools. Are you happy now? We get angry, not just at you bigoted Christians, but we get angry at bigoted Muslims, Bigoted Jews, Bigoted Hindus, Bigoted Parsees, etc, etc who condemn us to eternal damnation, not that we believe in eternal life but, that you bigots are so gratuitously vengeful. Do you get it, you stupid bigot.

I don't understand the issue.

If you truly don't believe, then it's irrelevant what people say or do. It's like if you heard a witch doctor was sticking pins into a doll of you. Who would care?

And if Hitchens had any sense of grace and really had strong convictions, he'd chuckle and say "Thanks, I appreciate your concern".

Seems to me what Hitchens is afraid of is that his cancer will be cured, and he'll have to then deal with the implications of that. Or even worse, he goes to the pearly gates and god says "Well, you didn't believe, but the prayers for you convinced me to let you in".

Personally, I think he'd rather die and be correct than live and be wrong.

He's funny. I think I'll say a prayer for him.

I have admired Hitchens for his forthrightness. Although I did not agree with each of them. I am with him every step of the way as far as putting an end to the superstition called religion. I wish him well, long life and that he treatment he is receiving pans out. Else I wish him well thru this difficult time for him and his family. He and his other three Horsemen have done more to get rid of superstition that anyone else lately for that I will miss him.

I won't pray for you Chris, and I admire you sticking with your convictions in the face of constant antagonism by those who just don't "get it", forever feeling it their way or the highway.

Kingofkings$1, your comment to Mr. Hitchens is, "Get a life!" This is addressed to a man with terminal cancer? What more evidence does one need of the boreishness and insensitivity of some believers. Perhaps this was meant in the spirit of Jesus who told his followers that life can only be gained by taking up his cross and following him, but I doubt it.
Posted by: csintala79

------------------------------------------

You are on the right track but not right, I meant eternal life is with God.

Although I am no particular fan of Hitchins yet I was stunned when I first heard about his illness. I once saw him debate Dr. De Suza and the impression he left with me is being very conceited. He for example at one point insisted that a questioner address him as “Professor”. By the way, I thought that De Suza wiped the idiomatic ground with him.

I have studied religion and theology and in fact have an advanced degree in those subjects. If you like reading literature, history and philosophy as much as I have since a young man you may find the study of religion deeply satisfying and often moving in surprising ways. I consider myself a Christian though many would not, because there is much of Christian doctrine that I cannot subscribe to in a literal way. That doesn't matter.

Mr. Hitchens will handle the end days, if that is what is in store, as well as any man and then will join the rest of departed humanity. I wish he had taken more of an interest in relgion--then he might have written something interesting about it. The fact that he didn't seems to have resulted in his having only a superficial, almost childlike, understanding of the subject and of course a decided aversion to it. This is not the place to adduce examples or arguments.

I have no doubt that Christopher HItchens will be treated well by eternity (I won't say God, since he isn't a believer and it's hard to say much about God anyway). Farewell.

Cheers, Chris. Your voice is a strong, sensible one, and I'd hate to see it softened anytime soon. god is not great is one of the most insightful books I've read...thanks.

Atheism:
Holding your hand in front of your face and telling your friend; "I bet you cannot hit my hand!"

I do not see what is such a problem! God allows sin in the world because love is based on freedom to choose. Christopher has chosen wrong (in my opinion) but if he wants to spend eternity in pain and suffering GOD forbid we should try to force him otherwise. I will add Christopher to my prayer list and I hope he changes his mind but death like life is a choice. Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven (according to the bible) and I choose to believe in HIM.

Damn straight Chris. Thanks for staying strong. No sense in adding the weakness of some bogus last minute enlightenment to your physical ailment. You are a fine example and inspiration to those of us weary of the incessant irrational and bafflingly detrimental religious beatdown.

Hitchens is right, of course. I'm a believer, but it would never occur to me to inform a non-believer with a serious illness that I intend to pray for him. Should I expect that to comfort him? Am I in effect urging my own view of the matter on him, contrary to his? Am I hoping he will see me as an example?

If you will pray for Mr. Hitchens you are quite free to do so without informing him. I think I would rather that myself. God decides.

My only regret is that we may lose Hitchens's voice in the arenas of literature and foreign affairs. To the commenter who asked if he maintained his view that the Iraq war was wise to undertake, inview of the situation and the alternative, yes he does. So do I.

I pray for him in the social sense: I wish him well.

That is what 'praying for' means.

Hey hitch is the Iraq war still one to be proud of?

"I felt like saying "please don't pray for me, I'm an atheist and I find your treatment offensive - donate some money to cancer research"."

***

I pray for people, and I also give generously to cancer research (and other programs helping the needy, and I volunteer my time for causes I feel moved to help with).

I'm also educated enough to notice a false dichotomy when someone is facile enough to present one.

I am a Christian. If Mr.Hitchens doesn't want prayers then let him be.

I certainly hope Mr.Hitchens doesn't reconsider his atheism because his beliefs are founded on rational thought and evidence. And Hitchens is right, while some Christians pray for "miracles" to help other, alls Christians pray for "miracles" to calm their own insecurity, not to help other.

He is a man after my own heart. St. Paul stated clearly as Jesus said, prayer is just prattle without actions to back it up. It is like making a pledge never paid. I can see this man's view since I was
suddenly no longer dying in just one night that is still not explainable by human comprehension. All those religious people
who treated me as inferior to them, not worthy to belong, suddenly wanted on a pope approved spotlight of religious superiority. All about money and power. It led me to feel like the man in the article.
If religion works for you, please keep it to yourself. If activities of love are your daily bread, you shall know Heaven and of that I have absolutely no doubt. If someone doesn't get it, put up a wall and keep it up. Eternity is too great to waste being pulled into being some one less than God made you to be. I have a sign on my front door that says Do Not Disturb. Many do not understand the sin of trespassing, but everyone seems to get this hotel sign quite well. Do you really think any religious leader has any better change of Heaven than this man. All the prophets have told told you no. So give the man your blessing by sending him money to do what he wants to do to offset the nightmare he has put upon him. Or a note asking what he would like to have that you can get or do for him. Then listen well and do it as long as it is not Immoral by common human standards. If you don't know what they are look on the internet for the The Universal Human Rights set forth after WWII.

"He has already been saved by faith from the insanity that you voluntarily practice and preach. Save your condescending pity for yourself."

***

Ahh, irony.

My father died of cancer a few years ago. Not once did I pray for him, instead I did all that I could to get him to his chemo and radiation therapy and tried my best to make him comfortable.

Cancer, as many of us know is an awful disease. As is any disease which mercilessly attacks the body.

Instead of prayer I suggest that those who truly want to care do what they can to help those who are suffering but perhaps do not have Mr Hitchens' financial well-being. Some people need rides to the hospital. Others need home visits.

Do something of this sort and then feel free to go home at the end of the day and pray to Mickey Mouse for all I care.

Posted by: rabernar | September 20, 2010 12:37 PM

"I have admired Mr. Hitchens and his work for years and continue to pray for his healing, but more strenuously, and most importantly, that he will be ultimately saved by faith."

He has already been saved by faith from the insanity that you voluntarily practice and preach. Save your condescending pity for yourself.

Kingofkings$1, your comment to Mr. Hitchens is, "Get a life!" This is addressed to a man with terminal cancer? What more evidence does one need of the boreishness and insensitivity of some believers. Perhaps this was meant in the spirit of Jesus who told his followers that life can only be gained by taking up his cross and following him, but I doubt it.

Although I don't like Hitchens, as a fellow atheist. I wish him the best. I'm not asking God to intervene, because really if he dies, so what? I don't mean to be rude, but Tim Russert recently died at 58. As news anchor for Meet the Press, Russert got the career most people dream of. Then there's Jack London who died at 40. Douglas Adams-another atheist, died at 49. Jim Henson at 53. These are all good quality lives even if they are short. So I wish Hitchens the best. As an atheist, I hope he's taken a realistic view how science can help prolong his life, and not be too fatalistic. I think his massive ego might stand in the way of that. But I wish him the best. There is nothing wrong with wishing. Why do we always have to go to prayer,when something like this happens?
And I believe by wishing for the best and being hopeful can we really honor Christopher Hitchens.

"those who practice incantations are doing so as much for their sake as mine..."

Just so. I imagine that my prayers for you will increase my own generosity. Human sympathy for others is good for me, and frankly, I can use the work.

A quibble:
"It can make me a believer if it chooses" -- Yes. Well, it's trickier than "omnipotent" suggests. You are free, you know.

In any case: He won't choose to make you a believer. This you must do, or at least choose to begin to do, for yourself.

Godspeed.

Hitch, I wish you well. While it is possible here to do an entire disquisition on the pros/cons of religion, it is clear some of us don't need it, don't want it and don't want others to tell us differently. Religion is a huge industry, subsidized by all of us by its exemption from taxation, without any perceptible benefit to the commons, enshrined and ingrained in our customs out of sheer habit. If we could take the massive drain on society brought on by military and religious adventure, we'd all be richer and happier. Keep fighting for us Hitch, we need your erudite voice.

I think GPSProf put it best.

Sometimes it's not about who is right or who is wrong, it's about being a bit understanding. People don't always deal with their mortality the same way, some people were raised deeply religious, others not. Maybe it would be best to focus on the sincerity of the concern, rather than the method by which it is conveyed.

Accepting a gift of kindness in thought or spirit may do little to comfort you if you require the entire world to meet you on your terms. Would it be wrong of a tribal villager to offer you a spiritual blessing? this is sometimes what people know, and they are attempting to express concern towards you in what they can only perceive to be a difficult time, no matter your beliefs.

I am no great christian... I'm not sure what I believe about god or God or religion or Religion. However, I have yet to meet a person who actually takes time out of their day to 'send positive thoughts' to their friends or relatives. (not saying it doesn't happen) That strikes me as being a very thinly veiled self comfort if their ever was one. The same obligatory niceness Hitch rails against, so perhaps the issue isn't with religion at all.

If you choose to think that everyone is being fake or is really self-motivated in their concern, then that really doesn't speak well for your own self described sense of morality does it? A pure cynic with no sense of charity or compassion?

So let me ask this...

Who is more right, the person who offers the best form of comfort they know in a difficult time? Or the person who condemns them as being selfish because the entire world doesn't meet them on their terms.

Lastly,

My Grandmother used to pray for a lot of people before she passed, and maybe it never did anything for anyone. However, thinking back, I am grateful for the her love and concern, and would not have asked her to change that form of expression just to suit my own particular tastes.

I'm an agnostic, not quite an atheist and don't hate Christians or anyone because of their religion . Some of my best friends are Christians. tee-hee. I totally believe in the first amendment. i am 82, raised in what was considered a liberal Christian church. I am educated and fairly worldly and have read widely the history of all the world's largest religions. I guess I've seen too much of life to believe in a loving God. This is the ancient question to which there has been only one answer. If there is a loving God, where has he been when innocent people die horrible deaths from war, starvation, torture, hatred, disease, etc., etc? The answer is the one-fits-all........God moves in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform. If that if it comforts you, i am glad.
The only reason I can't quite make the step to atheism is infinity. Where did it all begin and where does it go?
So, to each his own. I am fortunate to have lived a long, happy and rewarding life, helping the unfortunate and needy as much as I had the will to do along the way.

I strove with none, for none was worth my strife.
I loved beauty and next to beauty, art.
I warmed both hands before the fire of life.
It sinks, and I am ready to depart.

Walter Savage Landor

I have always loved this poem and it wasn't until my later years that I
found that Landor was an unpleasant, unhappy man, litigious and quarrelsome who, apparently, quarreled with almost everyone. Knowing that, I always have to smile when I see or quote this poem.
Why don't we all just get along and wish the best for Mr. Hitchens and leave it at that? I certainly do and I find myself admiring him more and more as I read what he has to say about his illness with all of his usual wit, charm and bite. More power to you, Mr, Hitchins

Why is it that Christians, members of a religion that purportedly sees death as "going to a better place," a place where one enters an eternal paradise, a place where all wrongs will be made right, generally exhibit such fear of it? Why is it that they want to forbid those not of their faith and not subscribing to their values from taking their own lives when suffering excruciating pain from a terrible disease? Why is it that so many of them object to comatose patients who exhibit no brain activity being removed from life support? Their behavior does not jibe with their claims to non-believers that their belief prepares them to meet their maker. It would appear that if they truly believe that which they preach, they would shout “hosanna” when they hear the rustling of Death’s wings. As a general rule, it seems Christians arrive at death no more prepared than do non-believers, perhaps less so.

I have a few friends that have had to cope with or have lost the battle with cancer.

Sure, I pray for Christopher Hitchens and all unbelievers - that their pride does not prevent then from humbling themselves before God and accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, receiving the grace available to all who trust in His redemptive death on the cross and his resurrection. God did so very much love you that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.

Mock that all you want or receive the peace and grace God has made available to each one of us through Jesus Christ.

Let me clarify, I meant that some atheists do not like the professing Christian and become rather hostile towards them (some atheists see it as pushing Christianity) or when a Christian tells them they will pray for them they consider us impolite. If they REALLY thought there was no God, then why the internal conflict with Christians. I do not have any problem with someone claiming there is no God, even when they repeatedly damn Him and His son Jesus. I think it all boils down to how secure one is in their beliefs. Me, as a Christian, am very secure therefore, I have no problems with atheists.... Even when they say there is no God.

Having already lost a wife to cancer and now having only weeks to months myself , my experience is that the concern over another person's death has more to do with the mortality of the concerned person and less to do with the disease of the dieing person. Furthermore this is OK. We have hidden death away. How else is one to learn about death and mortality?

I also have a fundamentalist colleague whose first reaction was offering to pray for me. I consented. Seeing him receive relief was comforting to me. After all it not all about me nor him. Is not part of our path on the 3rd stone from sun to comfort each other?

Why is it that atheists hate Christians, but Christians do not hate atheists.

POSTED BY: DEPAUGHYAHOOCOM

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Perhaps because many of you Christians shove their beliefs down our throat, like lobbying for creationism to be taught in school, abortion laws, school prayer, faith-based government handouts, etc?

Hell only exists for those who believe it does.

jujones wrote: Why is it that atheists hate Christians, but Christians do not hate atheists. If atheists believe there is no God then they should just laugh us Christians off when we say that we will "pray for them". If anything, atheists should consider us silly fools for believing in a fairy tale! and maybe feel sorry for us instead of being angry at us....As a Christian, I DO NOT feel that I am superior over ANYONE! We are all equal...
---------
After I did a spit take, I had to shake my head at this one. Where in this column does Hitchens express "hatred" for Christians? I know plenty of atheists and not one has ever said he "hates" Christians. On the other hand, it seems like we hear if not outright hatred then certainly self-righteous moralizing coming from the extreme right and born again Christians every day. Only recently, Glenn Beck, anointing himself God, pronounced President Obama's faith the wrong kind of faith.

Please with is this nonsense.

Mr. Hitchens, I applaud you for standing by your convictions and telling those Christians who are rude enough to pray for you to convert where to shove off! Praying for somebody to be "saved" from the "wrong" religious path is unspeakably rude, and they fail to realize that. How would they like it if I prayed for them to turn to the Goddess and the God when they're sick or hurt? They wouldn't, and I wouldn't dare do that anyway because I know it's morally wrong to tell somebody that their religion is wrong and yours is right! Not to mention it's just plain freaking RUDE!

Do the world a favor and quit proselytizing/evangelizing to those who have told you forget it already. NO MEANS NO!

And Booger3, well said!

Harvard prayer study is 100% horse manure. Says who? Harvard
http://web.med.harvard.edu/sites/RELEASES/html/3_31STEP.html

I don't believe the believers really believe. If you truly believed in God you would be so desperate to convince every single person in the world to believe what you believe. The vast majority of the world believes in a God, but it's still not good enough for you people. You need EVERYONE to think what you think.

too bad.

If there is a divine reward, then Christopher Hitchens should receive it (or not) based upon his ethicql and moral beliefs and actions (or lack thereof), regardless of whatever religious views he either professes or denies. For a religious person to say otherwise is to demean the very nature of the divine. And if rather that divine reward requires a particular, specific, arbitrary and restrictive adherence to man-made dogma - then no thanks, I'll pass.

Its an indictment of all of that believe in the hope and power of the Spirit of God, that so many clear thinking persons like Hitchens that are so justifiably turned away by the errors of religiousity, have never had an experience of seeing the reality beyond all the stonework, stained glass, and man-made orthodoxy . Churches are creations of culture and suffer all their faults. Jesus called us to Ecclesia, the congregation of faith, something a church may aspire to, but will always fall short of. We have made it too easy for the failings of the latter to be laid at the door of the former.

Rest assured DEPAUGHYAHOOCOM, we are laughing at you.

Food for thought - or is it thought for food? - thank you.

I don't know whether it makes any difference if we believe in God or not. If there is indeed an omnipotent, all-loving God, what matters is that s/he believes in us - and how we treat one another. And you're right, of course; I DO pray for myself as much as for you, as my faith is the substance of things to be hoped for - or is it that my hope is the basis for my faith? Oh, well...

Why is it that atheists hate Christians, but Christians do not hate atheists. If atheists believe there is no God then they should just laugh us Christians off when we say that we will "pray for them". If anything, atheists should consider us silly fools for believing in a fairy tale! and maybe feel sorry for us instead of being angry at us....As a Christian, I DO NOT feel that I am superior over ANYONE! We are all equal...

Christopher Hitchens is a good man. I admire the fact that he is standing by his convictions in the face of cancer. Religion works for a lot of people, but it doesn't work for many others.

Prayer devoted on behalf of somebody else, in my eyes, is simply pious masturbation. And let's say that he does find "God" during his crisis. Who is to say that he finds the right one? All of the major religions are fervently convinced that they have the right one and all others are false gods. So who (if any) are correct?

Mr. Hitchens,

My favorite quote from "Hitch 22" is "Literature, not scripture, sustains the mind--and since there is no other metaphor, also the soul." As you write and comment during your illness please tell us more of which books you are reading and which sustain you. I very much enjoyed your memoir but wanted you to write more literary criticism there not just your friendships with James Fenton et al but what books you feel are important. I like to think of you as an Edmund Wilson. Alfred Kazin, or Harold Bloom. So if you write another book please focus on the literature. As always I will keep following your essays on books in "Atlantic".---regards, WER

christopher, you, among the other 4 horsemen are heroes to me.

reading what you write gives me strength, in that it helps me to finely see the logic of what non-believing is about.

the other day i had a good debate (i kicked butt) and the other side was all about fear. its hard to be 1 vs 2 when all they have is fear fear fear.

so i come back to hitchens, dennett, dawkins, kurtz, among others to remember that in the face of fearful arguments and thoughts about being lonely without religion, there is a perfectly succinct train of thought to rest assured in. it resides with logic, and it exposes fear. these are true antiseptics to religion.

you are a brave man. one whom your children will be proud.

cheers. a lot.

Find God or go to hell I find very disturbing.

Glad to see illness has not made a coward out of Mr. Hitchens. We all die sooner or later. Those who are praying for him are doing it more for their own sake than his. Those who pray need to pray. Those who don't don't.

Thank you Christopher Hitchens for your efforts to bring a bit reason to this superstitious world. From an absolutely selfish perspective, I hope that you can stick around as you’ve given clear voice to a perspective that I’ve held since I first started reasoning.

Whatever happens, my thoughts are with you and your family.

The concept and practice of praying for this or that serves as a distraction for the fundamental insecurity of a believer's faith.

That they cannot offer provable evidence of the object of their beliefs (for example the golden plates inscribed with an unknown "language" espoused by Mormons) they pray for stuff then seek evidence of answers to those prayers which, for some of the prayers sooner or later, will appear.

And then they grasp and hold dear that evidence as the proof they so desperately need, ignoring the old saw that "stuff happens" and even the Biblical observation that "there is nothing new under the sun."

If one prays enough times for enough things, or predicts enough happenings, sooner or later one will find one or more "answer to their prayers" or prediction come true.

While those who pray for our "souls" may not be aware of their rudeness they are also unaware of the desperate insecurity they show in so doing.

I was in the same position as Hitchins, though with a different form of cancer. Every time someone told me they would pray for me, it made me cringe. I felt like saying "please don't pray for me, I'm an atheist and I find your treatment offensive - donate some money to cancer research". At the same time, I understood these kinds of actions are part of the Christians belief systems, so I kept my mouth shut.

I'm a psychologist and I agree with Hitchins that much of this is done to make people feel good about themselves. It seems that if people really cared about the patient, they would be more sensitive to that person's beliefs and feelings. The person offering the prayers feels good because they think they are doing something "good" (e.g., helpful). If the patient shares these beliefs, they may also benefit because they think it may help their outcome and they at least know someone cares about them. But if the person doesn't share these beliefs, then it can be offensive and depressing. People in these situations need to be more sensitive to the beliefs of the patient, rather than assuming everyone thinks and feels the same way they do.

I did not know you were ill. I wish you healing or, at the very least, peace. I, too, have been appalled by some people's assumptions that I must have no moral compass because I have no god. Because there is no god, I believe it is critical for all humans to take care of each other and make the world a better place for each other. The responsibility is on us. I hope someone is doing that for you right now.

Thank you for having the courage to speak of your convictions in a world filled with blind ignorance, fear, and willful hate.

It's funny, I have been praying for Christopher Hitchens for several years. Never told anyone, never will, outside this anonyomous post. I will continue to do so now. However, if a card and a bottle are what you value I would be more than happy to oblige.

Good luck Chris. I know it's probably not going to work out for you the way we (civilized rational people) want it to work out ... I've seen this kind of cancer twice before and both men died from it ... but can I ask you one favor?

After you get to Valhalla, could you send Hermes or Loki or someone back to appear on CNN to tell the christians howfcking wrong they were?

Christopher Hitchens is such a tedious little man.

If I were you, Mr. Hitchens, I wouldn't be so certain of my intuition that God doesn't exist. Get a life!

I've admired Christopher Hitchen's courage as a man and a journalist, since he underwent waterboarding to qualify to write honestly about it.
I am as certain that God exists as Hitchens is that God doesn't. It doesn't anger me, insult me or endanger my faith.
The presence of God enriches my life. It doesn't make me stupid. It doesn't make me not believe in science. The Hubble and its stunning images only begin to show us the vast and incomprehensible planning of the Lord.
I feel sadness that Mr Hitchens is denied faith and is struggling for his in the existiential void of athiesm.
I hope for his own happiness Mr Hitchens loses the theological argument he is having withimself. It would enrich his life and his mind.
Let His will be done.

"How I hope he doesn't succumb to religionism in his last days."

I disagree with this sentiment exactly as much as I disagree with the opposite sentiment.

Every person has the right to die as they see fit for themselves.

They have as much right to use superstition to ease the transition to death as they have the right to use drugs, not only to ease the transition, but to hurry it along if that is what they want.

If you need someone to die in accordance with your standards, you may want to rethink your standards, irrespective of where your standards lie in relation to believing or not believing.

rabernar: Your post is EXACTLY what an atheist DOES NOT want to hear. All of us have heard your good news and how superior you are because you believe in superstition, zombies, myths, etc but why don't you just stuff a sock in it when you are told that someone doesn't want to listen to your G** D***** babble? Clear enough for you? Yeah, I know: you'll pray for me. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

The purpose of prayer is not to ask God for things or to tell Him things He already knows. The purpose of prayer is to direct one's will towards God's will. It is relationship renewed, not a petition.

Love you Christopher. You changed my life. I echo the query: where is the simplest, quickest place to send you a card or gift? Care of a publisher, agent, treatment center?

The Christian motivation to pray for Mr. Hitchens is out of a sense of love. This is the mystery that confounds non-Christians. For a world that has confused love with lust, it denies love as the overarching concern for the beloved, and turns to a selfish motivation based on hate instead.

Christian concern, and reliance on prayer as an expression of love based on such concern, does not contain the sense of moral victory that non-Christians attribute. Those who condemn Mr. Hitchens with this disease are not acting out of the spirit of love and cannot reflect Jesus' love and His commandments by their condemnations. They fail in their identity as Christians, adding fuel to ignorance.

I have admired Mr. Hitchens and his work for years and continue to pray for his healing, but more strenuously, and most importantly, that he will be ultimately saved by faith.

The believers just don't get it. We atheists don't want you to pray for us since we don't buy into your unrealistic beliefs about fairy tales, everlasting life, etc etc. Just leave us alone and we will do the same. Unfortunately, the religious types simply can't live and let live. The must impose their hogwash on those of us who don't buy into "the great myth". Get well, Mr. Hitchens....and if you do, it will have nothing to do with prayer. It will be due to the fight that you are able to muster along with the power of modern medicine and science.

If I were Hitchens, I wouldn't be so sure that I was right. Even at death's door?
Mr. Hitchens, get a life!

Google "Harvard prayer study" and you'll see that sick people who are prayed for actually do worse than those who are not prayed for. Maybe Hitchens knows this.

I hope Mr. Hitchens has a religious figure of unquestioned integrity at his side when he dies. As they've done with others in the past, extremists will immediately start spreading stories of his miraculous deathbed conversion.

Surely Mr. Hitchens knows some religious person with the integrity to say I was there when he died, and no, Hitchens did not convert; he died an atheist.

The disinformation campaign will proceed in any event, but having a real rebuttal would be nice when dealing with the small, but very, very, very vocal minority of believers who think they do god's will by lying.

Always refreshingly reasonable and well spoken. I wish him well for his sake and because we're all better off with him.

Hitchens is the best. How I hope he doesn't succumb to religionism in his last days. So far, his example should be an inspiration to us all.

Talk about feeling smug, and pious at the same time -- can't beat it.

My husband and I have been praying for you for years, and we will continue whether you consider it rude or not, because we do love you, though it would be dishonest to say we like your rudeness and despite of us and other people of faith. We love you because we have felt God's love in our own lives, which makes it easy for us to choose to love others, even self-declared enemies such as yourself. God also loves you, enough that He will never force you to accept His love, only invite you. Just remember that the invitation is there. We pray for your healing according to His will, whether it be a spiritual healing, a physical one, or both. Yes, it is true that we are also helped, every time we pray at all. Prayer is never useless.

Religion is a delusion cooked up in a time of profound ignorance. They actually give degrees in theology to those who prefer to spend their time fantasizing about the nature of God Almighty. The religious among us prefer to cope by adopting an attitude that promotes a Love of a Loving God as the One True Path to Happiness, as revealed in Holy Scripture. Magical thinking that is. "I'm sick." "I'm financially embarrassed." "The sheriff is evicting me today." "God Help Me." Imagine how the inmates at Auschwitz felt as God turned a blind eye to what the Nazis were perpetrating: industrial slaughter of millions. Of course, they were Jews, who did not accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, thus they were destined anyway for eternity in a dark, sulfurous place. God is only interested in the well-being of Christians. Allah is only interested in the well-being of Muslims. Maybe an entrepreneur can organize a cage match between the competing Gods. Put it on Pay-Per-View. When things go wrong, as they do, you need not consider mistakes that you may have made. Just call it God's Will and put it out of your mind.

Thanks, Chris, well said. Wishing you peace, which even us, godless people, can definitely attain, and as little pain as possible in your fight.

Not exactly, as a Christian you do the things that serve the Lord.

Just as in the early church if you were a slave, you were instructed to serve your master to the full extent! Not for the benefit of the master, but to serve the glory of God through Jesus Christ!

Where should we send the get-well card accompanied by a good book and/or a fine bottle?

sending positive thoughts and love your way, Hitch. See you at the 92nd Street Y

Christopher, your strong sentiments tempt me to react strongly. But "a soft answer turns away wrath." Your anger is not a surprise, nor its target. But God (I believe "He", not "it") is big enough to invite you to put Him to the test. Is He who He says He is? Surprise! The God of the universe is a loving God. He sent His Son to die for you so that you might know His love and walk through this life not cursing the darkness but walking in the light of His love. Test him. View your life through His eyes, not your own, and your eyes will be opened to how precious you are to Him. I invite you to take part in The Cancer Cure Experiment at www.TheCancerCureExperiment.com.