As many of you are likely aware, Christopher Hitchens recently died, and as one would expect, the mix of thoughts and emotions is rather broad. There’s been no small amount of accolades for and lauding of Hitchens and a good deal of mourning and sorrow over his death among Christians. No doubt some of the positive views on Hitchens come from the recognition of his obvious talents. As Ed Feser said:
He was almost always smart, funny, and interesting even when he was wrong.
I think this is just right. He was all those things and, in contrast to the other atheist horsenmen, likable. Unfortunately, his showmanship, bravado, English-accent, and astute observations in some areas of life gave his works and writings on all things metaphysical and religious, an undeserved reputation as an authority figure. Frankly, he really had no standing on which to argue as he did. As Feser continues:
[On religion, Hitchens] was a complete bore and an insufferable hack… Religion is the last subject about which to have a tin ear or a closed mind, and Hitchens had both.
Because people have already said so much and so well, I think I’ll be better served to just allow the others that have already said anything I might. I will say this however: Hitchens’s death was not a tragedy. The same thing said back when Michael Jackson died is applicable here, too: His life was the tragedy.
This was a man with such a mind, such gifts of communication and oratory, such a position to influence and affect so many people, yet used his gifts to slander, shock, belittle, and mock good people—a man that used all his talents to ultimately stand with a clenched fist at the God that gave him such things (a God whom he both disbelieved in and yet still hated)—was not a man whom one would hope to emulate, and certainly was not a man we should praise. His was a life poorly lived, and on his death, we should lament his lifelong rejection of the only hope one has in this life or the next: Jesus Christ.
Also read the thoughts by:
Doug Wilson
Peter Hitchens
