Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
Christopher Hitchens -- a friend to many in the Ricochet constellation and, regardless of the merits of his specific views, perhaps the most forceful writer currently drawing breath -- was in Houston this weekend to accept the Richard Dawkins Freethinker of the Year Award from the Texas Freethought Convention. Given some of our recent discussions here, one of his remarks may be ripe for conversation amongst the Ricochetoise. As the Daily Caller reports:
Hitchens, a noted atheist and anti-theist, also praised GOP presidential aspirant Rick Perry during his remarks for having the courage of his convictions and saying that those who do not believe in Jesus will be “condemned to hellfire.”
“Shame on the soft-shelled, soft-centered Christians that don’t have the guts to say that is what their belief really is,” Hitchens said.
I open the question to you, the readers. Was Hitch correct to note that an intellectually honest defense of Christianity shouldn't shy away from a candid account of the consequences of disbelief? Or was this just a clever way of caricaturing his ideological opponents?
- Comment (84)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (9)
Comments :
Dec '10
Re: Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
Sorry Troy, but this is just a clever way of caricaturing his ideological opponents. I might add that in this century, in the former Soviet Union, Catholic priests, their immediate families, and their extended families were persued & persecuted relentlessly by the atheist tyranny. This went on for over 70 years. Mr. Hitchens is little concerned about this horror. Instead we should all fall asleep fearing a new baptist Spanish Inquisition. Perry got in trouble for being too soft on immigration. Now through the magic of Hitch vision its all about the fact that Perry is a Christian. Need I say more.
Oct '10
Re: Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
Touchy subject, that!
Christopher is correct that those who choose to exclude God and His salvation from their lives shall, in turn, be excluded from God's eternity. Where he is lacking in understanding is that we believers are not so haughty as to believe that we so well know the mind of God that we can stand in His place and withhold the tickets to paradise based on our limited knowledge of a persons mind, or of God's.
Salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone. I can only admonish all whom I know to make their position in Christ clear, for their own sake, and those who love them. But I cannot draw conclusions based on what they do not choose to share with me about their choice.
Apr '11
Re: Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
It isn't Catholic doctrine, though that is not to say that our bishops and Catholic public officials don't richly deserve being called "soft-shelled, soft-centered", lacking "the guts to say ... what their belief really is". Not that we need to assume that their beliefs match Church teaching.
May '10
Re: Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
I'm with Hitch. Most atheists hold their views boldly and honestly and so should Christians, Jews and Muslims. As long as nobody crosses that line of forcing one's practice on another or committing acts of violence, conviction should be seen as a positive driving force.
I know because I was raised in a squishy "mainstream" Protestant church that redacts any part of the faith that might make someone else "uncomfortable" and it creates nothing but BECs, that is, Big Event Christians.
I hold no respect for agnostics. As Satan himself says (through Andy Hamilton of the BBC's Old Harry's Game, "Basically God views agnostics as atheists with an element of cowardice."
May '10
Re: Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
This is irrelevant. The fact of the matter is that Christians believe eternal damnation awaits non-believers, perhaps with a few exceptions. Many Christians shy from expressing this belief because, among other reasons, it sounds ridiculous prima facie and is potentially offensive to others.
How could an intellectually honest defense of Christianity fail to tackle the alleged consequences of non-belief/disbelief?
May '10
Re: Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
Catholics don't believe in hell anymore?
Sep '10
Re: Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
Was Hitch correct to note that an intellectually honest defense of Christianity shouldn't shy away from a candid account of the consequences of disbelief?
It requires an intellectually candid account of the consequences of disbelief from someone who is intellectually candid enough to discuss them. As is his norm, Hitchens engages in question begging on the order of asking how many times we've beaten our wives. I've no interest in an extended discussion of eschatology this evening, except to note that there were two thieves on the cross on the night in question.
May '10
Re: Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
How do you define agnostics?
Feb '11
Re: Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
As an agnostic myself I challenge the element of 'cowardice' claim; rather I think agnostics are unconvinced. A hung jury isn't a sign if cowardice, it is a showing of insufficient evidence to either convict or acquit. As to Hitchins' comment, isn't that dependent on the type of christianity?
Apr '11
Re: Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
And on the second point: Obviously he is indulging in caricature. He couldn't do anything else even if he wanted to. One doesn't go to Christopher Hitchens for theological insight or doctrinal clarification, because he knows nothing about theology or doctrine.
He knows nothing about science, either. In his debate with Dr. Berlinski, one of his complaints about God--if He existed--is that God has created a universe of 400 billion galaxies in which a star explodes every second. "How wasteful!" fumed Hitch. "You, there! God! Yes, YOU WHO AM! You have ignored the Betty Crocker Course in Home & Cosmic Economics Thrifty Tip # 6.022 x 10**23 "Waste Not, Want Not", so off you go!"
You'd think Hitch had never heard of conservation of matter and energy, or saving hand soap scraps in a mesh bag for washing dishes. Don't talk to me about waste!
Edited on Oct 10, 2011 at 8:23pmSep '10
Re: Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
As to the Population of Hell, the late Cardinal Avery Dulles, SJ gave a nice historical summary of it in May 2003 over at First Things, which contains, among many others, this gem:
Edited on Oct 10, 2011 at 8:24pmMay '10
Re: Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
Pseudodionysius: Was Hitch correct to note that an intellectually honest defense of Christianity shouldn't shy away from a candid account of the consequences of disbelief?
It requires an intellectually candid account of the consequences of disbelief from someone who is intellectually candid enough to discuss them. As is his norm, Hitchens engages in question begging on the order of asking how many times we've beaten our wives. I've no interest in an extended discussion of eschatology this evening, except to note that there were two thieves on the cross on the night in question.
What are you talking about? Perry puts bluntly what many so-called Christians refuse to do and thats affirm the existence of Hell as the final destination for disbelievers; Hitchens merely recognizes Perry's assertiveness. This has nothing whatsoever to do with question begging.
May '10
Re: Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
So, do disbelievers go to Hell or not? If you say "yes" because you're a Christian, then I don't understand the problem.
Edited on Oct 10, 2011 at 8:29pmMay '11
Re: Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
As a theist, I was shown a video during my introduction to my current church. It was the most powerful and moving video about giving testimony that I have ever seen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhG-tkQ_Q2w&feature=player_embedded
May '10
Re: Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
Care to demonstrate?
Sep '10
Re: Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
Michael Labeit: So, do disbelievers go to Hell or not? If you say "yes" because you're a Christian, then I don't understand the problem. · Oct 10 at 8:26pm
Edited on Oct 10 at 08:29 pm
There are well over 28,000 different Protestant denominations as well as Catholic and Orthodox Christians, all with very different views on the four last things. The curious can read the article I've listed for a historical exegesis of the Catholic view.
Mar '11
Re: Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
If you don't believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and choose to serve Him, hell awaits the person you currently are. The Bible teaches this and I believe it. What I do not believe is that I can know who is going and who isn't. Even the soul who rejects Christ in my hearing may well accept Him later in life.
I rejected Him many times before I finally came around.
Edited on Oct 10, 2011 at 8:43pmSep '10
Re: Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
Michael Labeit
Care to demonstrate? · Oct 10 at 8:35pm
The demonstration is in comment #16, for others, I have better things to do than conduct remedial historical theology lessons for those who have no interest in the subject.
May '10
Re: Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
Pseudodionysius
Michael Labeit: So, do disbelievers go to Hell or not? If you say "yes" because you're a Christian, then I don't understand the problem. · Oct 10 at 8:26pm
Edited on Oct 10 at 08:29 pm
There are well over 28,000 different Protestant denominations as well as Catholic and Orthodox Christians, all with very different views on the four last things. The curious can read the article I've listed for a historical exegesis of the Catholic view. · Oct 10 at 8:35pm
I trust that someone won't evade the question.
May '10
Re: Christoper Hitchens Endorses Rick Perry's "Hellfire"
Asking God for proof is arrogance. What proof does an orphan require that he had a father?