Christopher Hitchens has died

KeithAFC · 16-12-2011 10:34PM

DoireNod wrote: »

To say he means a lot to atheists diminishes his intellectual and journalistic pursuits. He was by no means a single-issue type.

I know some people admire his writing and his debating skills. I can see religious people too admire him for that but is it fair to say his biggest support base is from Atheists?

Technocentral · 16-12-2011 10:37PM

KeithAFC wrote: »

I know some people admire his writing and his debating skills. I can see religious people too admire him for that but is it fair to say his biggest support base is from Atheists?

50/50 I would say.

DoireNod · 16-12-2011 10:38PM

KeithAFC wrote: »

I know some people admire his writing and his debating skills. I can see religious people too admire him for that but is it fair to say his biggest support base is from Atheists?

I don't know. His opinions on religion and such resonate with many, across the spectrum.

Dimithy · 16-12-2011 10:40PM

padd b1975 wrote: »

Look Dim' Perhaps you should talk to the guy who put him in the same bracket as Nelson Mandela.

Thats not what happened.
He said he was sad when John Peel died, and will be sad when Nelson Mandela dies.
This does not mean he is putting them on equal footing for what they have done for society.

Technocentral · 16-12-2011 10:47PM

Dimithy wrote: »

Thats not what happened.
He said he was sad when John Peel died, and will be sad when Nelson Mandela dies.
This does not mean he is putting them on equal footing for what they have done for society.

I wouldn't bother trying to get sense out of the chap Dimithy, I suspect he came on here looking for the "pissing in the shower" and "smelling your own fart" threads and clicked on this one by mistake.

padd b1975 · 16-12-2011 10:50PM

Da Shins Kelly wrote: »

There are many different ways of being an important, influential and positive figure. Somebody doesn't have to be working towards world peace and ending hunger to be a good person and to have an affect on people. Music is a very important aspect of life for an awful lot of people, and if someone contributes to another's well-being through music, then that is a great thing, in my opinion.

Anyway, this is a hijack of the original point.

RIP to Christopher Hitchens. The world is a duller place without him.

Yeah you are right, I should remember his family and friends are in mourning right now and probably won't even feel like celebrating christmas.

*types "unwanted turkey and christmas pudding for sale" into donedeal search engine*

Technocentral · 16-12-2011 10:54PM

I'm outta here, to all the Hitch admirers I bid you farewell and a good night, to the rest I say read a book sometime, losers.

Bodhisopha · 16-12-2011 10:58PM

Technocentral wrote: »

I'm outta here, to all the Hitch admirers I bid you farewell and a good night, to the rest I say read a book sometime, losers.

Sharpest debater i have ever witnessed. Didn't always agree with him, but was always in awe of him. Thoroughly entertaining on subjects i often find boring, to be honest.

AnnyHallsal · 16-12-2011 11:06PM

Ian McEwan's interview on Channel 4 news was sickening. Hitchens, the b*stard, typed out that stuff verbatim, much of it drunk. There is no God :mad:

Wish I could do that :pac:

padd b1975 · 16-12-2011 11:23PM

AnnyHallsal wrote: »

Ian McEwan's interview on Channel 4 news was sickening. Hitchens, the b*stard, typed out that stuff verbatim, much of it drunk. There is no God :mad:

Wish I could do that :pac:

Did he have a drink problem?

AnnyHallsal · 16-12-2011 11:26PM

padd b1975 wrote: »

Did he have a drink problem?

Probably. They referred to his alcoholism on the Channel 4 News obituary, which shocked me. I guess he was a 'functioning' alcoholic. In the Paxman interview, he seems to insinuate that it would have been better for his health if his constitution hadn't seemed to withstand his excesses so well.

pragmatic1 · 16-12-2011 11:26PM

Bodhisopha wrote: »

Sharpest debater i have ever witnessed. Didn't always agree with him, but was always in awe of him. Thoroughly entertaining on subjects i often find boring, to be honest.

Yep. Never seen him lose in a debate. Extremely intelligent man.

44leto · 16-12-2011 11:41PM

I read his recent book "God is not great", and IMO it wasn't that good. Dawkins one was better.

But the poor man is now suffering in hell and he will be eternally;. I at least will pray for him so our Great God forgives him and allows him into heaven.

AnnyHallsal · 16-12-2011 11:43PM

Newsnight profile on now.

MagicMarker · 16-12-2011 11:49PM

44leto wrote: »

I read his recent book "God is not great", and IMO it wasn't that good. Dawkins one was better.

But the poor man is now suffering in hell and he will be eternally;. I at least will pray for him so our Great God forgives him and allows him into heaven.

Not sure if serious.

gizmo · 16-12-2011 11:50PM

44leto wrote: »

I read his recent book "God is not great", and IMO it wasn't that good. Dawkins one was better.

But the poor man is now suffering in hell and he will be eternally;. I at least will pray for him so our Great God forgives him and allows him into heaven.

For shame, if you're gona troll in a Hitchens thread then at least have some respect and do it properly.

Watch and learn...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpA7pfR0FIc

AnnyHallsal · 16-12-2011 11:54PM

"There was something morally decent about his double scotch."

Excellent stuff from Simon Schama

My name is URL · 16-12-2011 11:58PM

Schama dosed off a bit during the final question there and somehow still managed to address everything put to him

pragmatic1 · 16-12-2011 11:59PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqCsOjeLlXU

AnnyHallsal · 17-12-2011 12:02AM

My name is URL wrote: »

Schama dosed off a bit during the final question there and somehow still managed to address everything put to him

I thought he got a little choked up, could be wrong. Overall I think he caught Hitchens's seeming contradictions quite well.

lmaopml · 17-12-2011 12:06AM

Hitchens was honest, and robust in mind - I'll miss his contributions to the never ending, without beginning, debate in which he found himself a pilgrim, or key player, who had something to say - RIP...may the road rise to meet you..may you rest in peace, and I will remember you always.

amacachi · 17-12-2011 12:15AM

44leto wrote: »

I read his recent book "God is not great", and IMO it wasn't that good. Dawkins one was better.

But the poor man is now suffering in hell and he will be eternally;. I at least will pray for him so our Great God forgives him and allows him into heaven.

So hold on, you would dare to question God's Perfect Judgement!? Looks like you'll be going to hell yourself according to your own beliefs. Shouldn't you be rejoicing in God's Perfect Judgement rather than questioning it?
Your post borders on blasphemy against your own beliefs, I hope it doesn't land you in legal trouble.

AnnyHallsal · 17-12-2011 01:13AM

Here, I've a question, who is the Hitchens of Boards?

I propose Boards institute an annual Hitchens award, recognising the most eloquent, cleverest, funniest Boardsie. Nominations open

amacachi · 17-12-2011 01:36AM

Ugh, it'd be one of two winners every year depending on whether one of them had a particular tragedy that year.

orourkeda · 17-12-2011 01:48AM

I wouldnt doubt or question his intellect but I found him really rather arrogant and unworthy of all this posthumous praise.

I doubt he was a bad person but he didnt always do himself justice.

44leto · 17-12-2011 02:04AM

amacachi wrote: »

So hold on, you would dare to question God's Perfect Judgement!? Looks like you'll be going to hell yourself according to your own beliefs. Shouldn't you be rejoicing in God's Perfect Judgement rather than questioning it?
Your post borders on blasphemy against your own beliefs, I hope it doesn't land you in legal trouble.

Relax, just play Hitchens and his love of the controversial position. He did support the Iraq war.

amacachi · 17-12-2011 02:06AM

44leto wrote: »

Relax, just play Hitchens and his love of the controversial position. He did support the Iraq war.

I'm free to disagree with him, you're not free to disagree with your God under penalty of eternal damnation. Ah well, whatever you fancy yourself.

7Sins · 17-12-2011 02:10AM

Mount a knobs with their RIP here, eh hello?! the man was atheist! Are ye being funny or something cos it's not funny.

44leto · 17-12-2011 02:12AM

amacachi wrote: »

I'm free to disagree with him, you're not free to disagree with your God under penalty of eternal damnation. Ah well, whatever you fancy yourself.

Why aren't I, will does work best when it is freely directed,,free will.

nacho libre · 17-12-2011 02:26AM

http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2011/12/christopher-hitchens-evening

Christopher Hitchens has died

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