Getbig.com: American Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure
Getbig Main Boards => General Topics => Topic started by: dario73 on September 22, 2010, 10:23:31 AM
-
Hitchens skipping prayer day in his honor
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Stricken with cancer and fragile from chemotherapy, author and outspoken atheist Christopher Hitchens sits in an armchair before an audience and waits for the only question that can come first at such a time.
"How's your health?" asks Larry Taunton, a friend who heads an Alabama-based group dedicated to defending Christianity.
"Well, I'm dying, since you asked, but so are you. I'm only doing it more rapidly," replies Hitchens, his grin faint and his voice weak and raspy. Only wisps of his dark hair remain; clothes hang on his frame.
The writer best known to believers for his 2007 book "God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything" has esophageal cancer, the same disease that killed his father. He is fighting it, but the 62-year-old Hitchens is realistic: At the very best, he says, his life will be shortened.
For some of his critics, it might be satisfying to see a man who has made a career of skewering organized religion switch sides near the end of his life and pray silently for help fighting a ravaging disease.
He has an opportunity: Monday has been informally proclaimed "Everybody Pray for Hitchens Day."
Christopher Hitchens won't be bowing his head, even on a day set aside just for him.
"I shall not be participating," he said in an interview with The Associated Press.
Hitchens was diagnosed with cancer in June, forcing him to cancel a tour to promote his new book, "Hitch-22: A Memoir." He took time off from work as chemo treatments began but recently published the first of what is intended to be a series of essays in Vanity Fair magazine about his diagnosis.
On Sept. 7, he visited Birmingham for his first public appearance since the diagnosis, a debate against David Berlinski, author of "The Devil's Delusion: Atheism and Its Scientific Pretensions." They argued over the implications of a purely secular society before a crowd of about 1,200 in an event sponsored by Fixed Point Foundation, the Christian apologetics group headed by Taunton.
Taunton is devoutly Christian yet has developed a fast friendship with Hitchens, who appeared at a similar debate sponsored by the organization last year. Taunton is among those praying for Hitchens, and Hitchens takes no offense.
The way the English-born Hitchens sees it, the people praying for him break down into three basic groups: those who seem genuinely glad he's suffering and dying from cancer; those who want him to become a believer in their religious faith; and those who are asking God to heal him.
Hitchens has no use for that first group. "'To hell with you' is the response to the ones who pray for me to go to hell," Hitchens told AP.
He's ruling out the idea of a deathbed change of heart: "'Thanks but no thanks' is the reply to those who want me to convert and recognize a divinity or deity."
It's that third group — people who are asking God for Hitchens' healing — that causes Hitchens to choose his words even more carefully than normal. Are those prayers OK? Are they helpful?
"I say it's fine by me, I think of it as a nice gesture. And it may well make them feel better, which is a good thing in itself," says Hitchens.
But prayers for his healing don't make him feel better.
"Well, not any more than very large numbers of very kind, thoughtful letters from nonbelievers, some of whom know me, some of whom don't, asking me to know that they are on my side," Hitchens said. "That cheers me up, yes."
Hitchens doesn't know exactly how "Everybody Pray for Hitchens Day" began, other than that it's one of those things that appears on the Internet and goes viral. He declined an invitation to appear at a rabbi's prayer service in Washington that day, and he doesn't see any point in the exercise.
"I'm perfectly sure that there is nothing to be gained from it in point of my health, but perhaps I shouldn't even say that. If it would do something for my morale possibly it would do something for my health. We all know that morale is an element in recovery," he said. "But incantations, I don't think, have any effect on the material world."
The National Cancer Institute says esophageal cancer affects about 16,500 Americans each year, almost 80 percent of them men. Smoking and drinking alcohol regularly increase the risk of the disease; Hitchens does both.
The cancer that began in Hitchens' esophagus already has spread into the lymph nodes in his neck, and he fears it has reached a lung. He's visibly tired after a book signing and luncheon appearance and says he needs to rest, even though resting seems like such a waste of time when so little time may be left.
Already into his fourth round of chemotherapy, which he is receiving every three weeks, Hitchens says it's difficult to gauge his eventual legacy. He hopes to be remembered with affection by some; with passion by others; and hopefully as a good father by his three children.
As for his work, Hitchens says he would be happy to be recalled simply as one of those "who are attempting to uphold reason and science against superstition."
"I'd be proud to have my contribution at that," Hitchens said. "This is a very long, long, long story. It's humanity's oldest argument. If I played a small part in keeping it going that would be enough for me."
-
A great man.
-
A blind man.
Fixed.
-
This sucks. Bad.
-
Hitchens skipping prayer day in his honor
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Stricken with cancer and fragile from chemotherapy, author and outspoken atheist Christopher Hitchens sits in an armchair before an audience and waits for the only question that can come first at such a time.
"How's your health?" asks Larry Taunton, a friend who heads an Alabama-based group dedicated to defending Christianity.
"Well, I'm dying, since you asked, but so are you. I'm only doing it more rapidly," replies Hitchens, his grin faint and his voice weak and raspy. Only wisps of his dark hair remain; clothes hang on his frame.
The writer best known to believers for his 2007 book "God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything" has esophageal cancer, the same disease that killed his father. He is fighting it, but the 62-year-old Hitchens is realistic: At the very best, he says, his life will be shortened.
For some of his critics, it might be satisfying to see a man who has made a career of skewering organized religion switch sides near the end of his life and pray silently for help fighting a ravaging disease.
He has an opportunity: Monday has been informally proclaimed "Everybody Pray for Hitchens Day."
Christopher Hitchens won't be bowing his head, even on a day set aside just for him.
"I shall not be participating," he said in an interview with The Associated Press.
Hitchens was diagnosed with cancer in June, forcing him to cancel a tour to promote his new book, "Hitch-22: A Memoir." He took time off from work as chemo treatments began but recently published the first of what is intended to be a series of essays in Vanity Fair magazine about his diagnosis.
On Sept. 7, he visited Birmingham for his first public appearance since the diagnosis, a debate against David Berlinski, author of "The Devil's Delusion: Atheism and Its Scientific Pretensions." They argued over the implications of a purely secular society before a crowd of about 1,200 in an event sponsored by Fixed Point Foundation, the Christian apologetics group headed by Taunton.
Taunton is devoutly Christian yet has developed a fast friendship with Hitchens, who appeared at a similar debate sponsored by the organization last year. Taunton is among those praying for Hitchens, and Hitchens takes no offense.
The way the English-born Hitchens sees it, the people praying for him break down into three basic groups: those who seem genuinely glad he's suffering and dying from cancer; those who want him to become a believer in their religious faith; and those who are asking God to heal him.
Hitchens has no use for that first group. "'To hell with you' is the response to the ones who pray for me to go to hell," Hitchens told AP.
He's ruling out the idea of a deathbed change of heart: "'Thanks but no thanks' is the reply to those who want me to convert and recognize a divinity or deity."
It's that third group — people who are asking God for Hitchens' healing — that causes Hitchens to choose his words even more carefully than normal. Are those prayers OK? Are they helpful?
"I say it's fine by me, I think of it as a nice gesture. And it may well make them feel better, which is a good thing in itself," says Hitchens.
But prayers for his healing don't make him feel better.
"Well, not any more than very large numbers of very kind, thoughtful letters from nonbelievers, some of whom know me, some of whom don't, asking me to know that they are on my side," Hitchens said. "That cheers me up, yes."
Hitchens doesn't know exactly how "Everybody Pray for Hitchens Day" began, other than that it's one of those things that appears on the Internet and goes viral. He declined an invitation to appear at a rabbi's prayer service in Washington that day, and he doesn't see any point in the exercise.
"I'm perfectly sure that there is nothing to be gained from it in point of my health, but perhaps I shouldn't even say that. If it would do something for my morale possibly it would do something for my health. We all know that morale is an element in recovery," he said. "But incantations, I don't think, have any effect on the material world."
The National Cancer Institute says esophageal cancer affects about 16,500 Americans each year, almost 80 percent of them men. Smoking and drinking alcohol regularly increase the risk of the disease; Hitchens does both.
The cancer that began in Hitchens' esophagus already has spread into the lymph nodes in his neck, and he fears it has reached a lung. He's visibly tired after a book signing and luncheon appearance and says he needs to rest, even though resting seems like such a waste of time when so little time may be left.
Already into his fourth round of chemotherapy, which he is receiving every three weeks, Hitchens says it's difficult to gauge his eventual legacy. He hopes to be remembered with affection by some; with passion by others; and hopefully as a good father by his three children.
As for his work, Hitchens says he would be happy to be recalled simply as one of those "who are attempting to uphold reason and science against superstition."
"I'd be proud to have my contribution at that," Hitchens said. "This is a very long, long, long story. It's humanity's oldest argument. If I played a small part in keeping it going that would be enough for me."
Read this a few days ago. I have a feeling his cancer will advance even faster.
-
pray to which god?
-
Read this a few days ago. I have a feeling his cancer will advance even faster.
Because your god is forgiving?
-
This sucks. Bad.
Ha! He notes in his recent memoir that he did his fair share of sucking while at university. :-X
-
if he didn't have FAITH in the treatments, he would've foregone chemotherapy and crawled off into some shit infested cave to die. but a part of him believes he'll get better, just like most people believe that a deity of their preference will make things better for him.
i say he's a f.aggot.
-
Ha! He notes in his recent memoir that he did his fair share of sucking while at university. :-X
lol I read that too. Oh well.
-
A great man. If he goes, he will surely be missed.
-
A great man. If he goes, he will surely be missed.
Amen to that
Hitchenns isn't going anywhere
-
if he didn't have FAITH in the treatments, he would've foregone chemotherapy and crawled off into some shit infested cave to die. but a part of him believes he'll get better, just like most people believe that a deity of their preference will make things better for him.
i say he's a f.aggot.
::)
-
::)
Yeah, that's bad; even for someone using a South Park reference for their screen name.
-
Amen to that
Hitchenns isn't going anywhere
Oh he's going somewhere all right!
-
Oh he's going somewhere all right!
So much for meekness and forgiveness ::)
-
Oh he's going somewhere all right!
Yes and the catholic priests who molested tons of little children for years who repented are going to heaven if that were true , stick that place up your ass
-
So much for meekness and forgiveness Religion of peace ::)
Fixed
-
"Adonis" will NOT pray for Hitchens because he, like I, knows that it would'nt change a single thing.
praying = no change in reality
praying = ease of guilty conscience for some
praying = feeling better about a situation for some
praying = a very self-serving, selfish thing to take part of.
-
Read this a few days ago. I have a feeling his cancer will advance even faster.
Yeah. All you religious idiots have is a "feeling".
-
Yes and the catholic priests who molested tons of little children for years who repented are going to heaven if that were true , stick that place up your ass
If they keep doing it over and over and over knowing it's a sin then them and Hitchens will meet in the same place.
-
Yeah. All you religious idiots have is a "feeling".
Hahahaha...ok!
-
If they keep doing it over and over and over knowing it's a sin then them and Hitchens will meet in the same place.
I often wonder what people think about things that they were'nt told....or brainwashed into thinking.
-
Hahahaha...ok!
Are you arguing for the contrary? Lets hear it.
-
If they keep doing it over and over and over knowing it's a sin then them and Hitchens will meet in the same place.
WRONG all they have to do is repent and mean it and boom welcome home ::)
-
"Adonis" will NOT pray for Hitchens
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pk3jJ8hnWXo/S8_8-993UDI/AAAAAAAADM4/OMzy8I8aDP8/s1600/praying_mantis_india.jpg)
-
WRONG all they have to do is repent and mean it and boom welcome home ::)
Exactly. What a bunch of shit. You can kill 500 people, but as long as you repent, accept JC into your life, you're going to heaven. This is some twisted stuff. The logic behind this is bewildering and pathetic.
-
retarded getdumb religious argument.. go! ::)
-
Exactly. What a bunch of shit. You can kill 500 people, but as long as you repent, accept JC into your life, you're going to heaven. This is some twisted stuff. The logic behind this is bewildering and pathetic.
LOL!!!
Simplistic point of view you nonbelievers have.
The Bible states there is only 1 sin that is not forgiveable and that is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Everything else God will forgive as long AS THERE IS TRUE REPENTANCE FROM THE HEART. It isn't as simple as crying out "please forgive me". It has to be a true devotion to God and resignation of ALL sin.
Jesus said it himself, "Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." Matthew 7:21
Only God discerns the thoughts of the heart and only he will make the JUST judgement. So it's not abra kadabra open the pearly gates for me!! Another thing, why do you people insist on treating God as equal to you. If there is a God he is superior to you and if you want his favor, then it is you who should succumb to his will, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
Finally, I don't understand the critique of God's ability to forgive as long as there is true repentance. Some posts in this thread suggested that Christianity lacks love and forgiveness when Coach implied that there is a hell. Yet, make fun of it again when stating that God can forgive the sins of a murderer. So damn if you do, damn if you don't. God loves and forgives but it is up to each individual to accept or reject that love and that forgiveness.
I know this is all rubbish to you atheists. In the end, either you have faith or you don't have faith. To each their own.
-
retarded getdumb religious argument.. go! ::)
Jesus Loves You, bro!
-
LOL!!!
Simplistic point of view you nonbelievers have.
The Bible states there is only 1 sin that is not forgiveable and that is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Everything else God will forgive as long AS THERE IS TRUE REPENTANCE FROM THE HEART. It isn't as simple as crying out "please forgive me". It has to be a true devotion to God and resignation of ALL sin.
Jesus said it himself, "Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." Matthew 7:21
Only God discerns the thoughts of the heart and only he will make the JUST judgement. So it's not abra kadabra open the pearly gates for me!! Another thing, why do you people insist on treating God as equal to you. If there is a God he is superior to you and if you want his favor, then it is you who should succumb to his will, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
Finally, I don't understand the critique of God's ability to forgive as long as there is true repentance. Some posts in this thread suggested that Christianity lacks love and forgiveness when Coach implied that there is a hell. Yet, make fun of it again when stating that God can forgive the sins of a murderer. So damn if you do, damn if you don't. God loves and forgives but it is up to each individual to accept or reject that love and that forgiveness.
I know this is all rubbish to you atheists. In the end, either you have faith or you don't have faith. To each their own.
HAHAHAH, so retarded. So, you can kill 500 people, truly repent, and go to heaven. Oh yeah, this is really moral. What a selfish God. Only cares if people love and accept him, and the hell with the families who are suffering everyday because someone murdered their family. If one of my family members were murdered, and God (assuming a God exists) let that murderer into heaven, I'd be pissed. I wouldn't want to walk in heaven with the same man that murdered one of my family members. This is some backwards, fucked up logic.
-
No. And I also won`t be running or walking for the cure either, but I do want Christopher Hitchens to live as long as possible.
-
Hitchens is ahead of his time, a man bitterly scorned at by "the world is flat" people.
-
HAHAHAH, so retarded. So, you can kill 500 people, truly repent, and go to heaven. Oh yeah, this is really moral. What a selfish God. Only cares if people love and accept him, and the hell with the families who are suffering everyday because someone murdered their family. If one of my family members were murdered, and God (assuming a God exists) let that murderer into heaven, I'd be pissed. I wouldn't want to walk in heaven with the same man that murdered one of my family members. This is some backwards, fucked up logic.
Doesn't mean you don't have to pay the price for sin, the price for sin is death. A selfish God, did you forget what Jesus gave for us?
-
Hitchens is ahead of his time, a man bitterly scorned at by "the world is flat" people.
yes there should be more people like him, maybe the world be a better place then.
-
Atheists are just as full of shite as any religion is.....Both are arrogant enough to claim knowledge that is unprovable. I, honestly, can't understand how someone can be anything other than an agnostic. Seems to me that people can't stand to have to mutter the words "I don't know"
-
Doesn't mean you don't have to pay the price for sin, the price for sin is death. A selfish God, did you forget what Jesus gave for us?
What did Jesus give for us? His physical body? If he was a manifestation of God, then sacrificing one's physical body is not that much of a sacrifice ::) ::)
-
Atheists are just as full of shite as any religion is.....Both are arrogant enough to claim knowledge that is unprovable. I, honestly, can't understand how someone can be anything other than an agnostic.
I can. I think you can deduce with a certain amount of probability that something may or may not exist. You can never know for a 100% certainty, but you can definitely say with a certain level of probability that a God may not exist.
-
I can. I think you can deduce with a certain amount of probability that something may or may not exist. You can never know for a 100% certainty, but you can definitely say with a certain level of probability that a God may not exist.
Too much wavering....that's my point exactly. "Almost" dont cut it with me.
-
Too much wavering....that's my point exactly. "Almost" dont cut it with me.
It's not wavering at all. Its being realistic about the fact that we can't know most things for a 100% certainty. However, we have the tools to deduce probability of certain, events, situations, and circumstances.
-
Oh he's going somewhere all right!
yep - the same place and you and everyone else will go to
-
Atheists are just as full of shite as any religion is.....Both are arrogant enough to claim knowledge that is unprovable. I, honestly, can't understand how someone can be anything other than an agnostic. Seems to me that people can't stand to have to mutter the words "I don't know"
Agnostics are too pussy to admit they are atheists.
-
If they keep doing it over and over and over knowing it's a sin then them and Hitchens will meet in the same place.
lol you think an atheist is worse than a child molester
you are literally insane
-
lol you think an atheist is worse than a child molester
you are literally insane
I'm not Catholic I'm a non-denominational Christian but that being said compared to amount of Catholic priests in the world there far more God fearing priests than not. You guys seem to want to bring up child molesting in every thread about religion and make a blanket statement as if every priest in the world is a child molester. Great reasoning ::)
-
Every priest in the world is a child molester.
I agree
-
I agree
You must work for CNN or MSNBC with that kind of spin ::)
-
Atheists are just as full of shite as any religion is.....Both are arrogant enough to claim knowledge that is unprovable. I, honestly, can't understand how someone can be anything other than an agnostic. Seems to me that people can't stand to have to mutter the words "I don't know"
I don't agree. The atheist views proposed religion as being unsubstantiated. Most would be god believing if the evidence was there. I don't see that as equating to being full of shit. Also, Hitchens has gone on record stating that there could be a god, but it would be a god indifferent to human affairs. So in a sense he is agnostic, but it's a bit subjective.