What had happen' was.....: Peter Hitchens

Showing posts with label Peter Hitchens. Show all posts

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Truthbomb Apologetics: Counterpoints: John Loftus and Frank Turek on the Death of Christopher Hitchens

Over on Truthbomb Apologetics, Chad posted two comments regarding the death of Christopher Hitchens. I think he did something amazing: allowing us to see how one of Hitchens' fellow atheists looks at this and how a Christian - one of Hitchen's debate opponents - view the same man.

John Loftus: "Many Christians are thinking he’s burning in hell. Some others may even say this. But it is a disgrace to humanity to even think this abhorrent thought about such a brilliantly good man...this statement burns me up to no end. It is more repulsive than any thought I can conceive...may his memory live on. He has changed the world for the better." [1]

Frank Turek: "There is no one with whom I disagreed more who I admired so much. I don’t see how anyone who knew Christopher Hitchens could think that a man with such admirable qualities and talents was nothing more than a collection of chemicals– the product of unexplained random processes. Christopher’s intellect, wit, courage, and passion are evidence to me of a Divine Being– a Divine Being who loves human freedom so much that He would even allow the gifts He bestows to be used against Him." [2]

1. http://freethoughtblogs.com/loftus/2011/12/16/christopher-hitchens-is-now-burning-in-hell/
2. http://www.crossexamined.org/blog/?p=258

I usually follow Loftus' blog Debunking Christianity, but he seems to have abandoned it for another site (see the reference note from Chad below), but it's interesting that to Loftus, Hitchens was too good to burn in hell. I'd like to see his reasoning for that. But be that as it may, Frank Turek's comments show how Hitchen's death should be looked on and brings up a great point - God blesses us despite ourselves. Not because we deserve it - but because He is soo good. It's a striking contrast. Loftus is fixated on his perception of God's goodness (none of us are good enough to stand before a holy God), while Turek is focused on God's goodness. Notice how although he and Hitchens disagreed on a lot of things, Turek says nothing mean or derogatory. In the quote there isn't even speculation on Hitchen's eternal destiny. I think Turek's attitude, like Peter Hitchens' attitude, is the one we should have when looking at the life and legacy of Christopher Hitchens.

Truthbomb Apologetics: Counterpoints: John Loftus and Frank Turek on the Death of Christopher Hitchens

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Christopher Hitchens: 13 April 1949 – 15 Dec 2011 - Apologetics 315

It doesn't seem like the surprises in 2011 are anywhere near over yet. I realize that some people might say that Christopher Hitchens death should come as a surprise to anyone. It was very public how sick he was. Given that everyone is going to die doesn't make the death of anyone easy. I was hoping that maybe God would spare his life and heal him but even better if God turned Christopher Hitchens into an evangelist for God instead of against God. None of us knows what Hitchens spiritual state was when he died and trying to guess what it is pointless. Instead I'd rather just think about the fact that his wit and intelligence and eloquence will be missed despite the fact that I didn't agree with everything he said or wrote. One non debatable fact is that he knows for sure whether he was right or wrong. Is there and afterlife or is there not? I think finding out for sure after you die is the wrong way to find out. Instead, it's better to know by knowing God for yourself. There are several great websites that are covering this. Here are a few links that I think you should see if you don't see any of the others.

Christopher Hitchens: 13 April 1949 – 15 Dec 2011 - Apologetics 315

Douglas Wilson wrote an article reflecting on Christopher Hitchens (link). I think that this particular article is priceless because although the two debated a few times and did not agree on a few fundamental things about life they had a mutual respect and admiration for each other.

A few weeks before Christopher Hitchens was supposed to debate Dr. James White, the debate was cancels because of Hitchens diagnosis and his need to start treatment immediately. The debate never happened. But on his blog posted a video and his web cast from 12/16/2011 in which he discusses Hitchen's death and a wide variety of subjects. Get the link here.

So how should Christians respond to the death of Christopher Hitchens? I think a good example is the one set by his brother Peter. Peter Hitchens is a Christian and he wrote an article about seeing his brother for the last time and how much he meant to him and who Christopher was as a person. It's beautifully written and I can't recommend it enough. Read it here.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Christopher Hitchens vs Peter Hitchens: Can Civilization Survive without God | A Blogspotting Anglican Episcopalian

From Shroud of Turin Blog:

Can civilization survive without God? Do watch the video. It is quite good. I have a great deal of respect for Christopher even though I pretty much disagree with most of what he has to say.

Brothers Christopher and Peter Hitchens squared off Tuesday in a debate over whether civilization can survive without God. Christopher, the older of the two, is a renowned atheist thinker and author. Peter, the lesser known of the two, is a practicing Christian and also a well-regarded author.

Christopher Hitchens vs Peter Hitchens: Can Civilization Survive without God | A Blogspotting Anglican Episcopalian

It's not the whole debate but it's very interesting. I disagree with a lot of what Christopher Hitchens says but at least he is consistent.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Hitchens Vs Hitchens - 2008

Here is Christopher and Peter Hitchens' first debate in America on a variety of Topics. The debate was on a various topics and worth watching. As you know Christopher Hitchens 1s an atheist - er "anti-atheist". Peter Hitchens is a Christian. What happens when two brothers (very intelligent and articulate) on opposite ends of faith collide ideologically? Something worth watching and thinking about.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

High Five of the Day #2 - Christopher Hitchens and Peter Hitchens God and the death bed | True Freethinker

Mariano has posted a great article about the basic fallacies of anti-theism. He provides a link to a audio that "discusses a discussion between The Brothers Hitch: Christopher Hitchens and Peter Hitchens." My favorite part of Mariano's article is where he said:

These are the fallacies of atheists demanding evidence: 1) they demand evidence without providing evidence that proves that evidence should be demanded 2) they suppose that evidence convinces 3) they assert that evidence will heal a wicked heart.

Brilliant!
Christopher Hitchens and Peter Hitchens God and the death bed | True Freethinker

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Unbelievable? 4 Jul 2009 - Peter Hitchens debates Islam

I found a great interview/debate on the Internet in which Peter Hitchens and Ibrahim Mogra debate on the subject on which is better for Britain - Christianity vs Islam. Here is an introduction I saw on the website where I got the debate:

Peter Hitchens vs. Ibrahim Mogra: Is Islam or Christianity the best future for Britain?

July 4, 2009 on Premier Christian Radio

Peter Hitchens is a well known journalist and Anglican Christian. Unlike his atheist brother Christopher, he believes Christianity is an essential bedrock for society. He says Islam will fill the spiritual vaccuum of Britain if secularists have their way.

Ibrahim Mogra represents the Muslim Council of Britain. He says that Muslims are only interested in living harmoniously within society.

They discuss Sharia Law, multiculturalism, religious freedom and more.

Some great points were made. One fact that I did not know was that there are now more Muslims in Britain than Anglicans! I had no idea! I think Hitchens made good points. My problem with trying to harmonize Christianity and Islam. They both claim to be objectively true but they say opposite things. They both can't be true. Either you reject both or accept one. You can't accept both. Another important point Peter Hitchens made is the fact that if Christianity is recedes people still need spirituality and something else will take its place - Islam. And the same things could happen in the United States and there will be more Muslims than Christians. Do we want a society like Sudan, Paskistan, Iran, or Saudi Arabia.