CHRISTOPHER Hitchens has lost what he described in April as his “long argument with the spectre of death”.
The BBC reports that the 62-year-old British author, literary critic and journalist – renowned for his fiery attacks on religion – died yesterday from pneumonia, a complication of the oesophageal cancer he was suffering from at a Texas hospital.
Christopher Hitchens
Unable to attend the American Atheist Convention earlier this year due to his illness, Hitchens sent a letter instead to delegates, saying of his battle against cancer:
Nobody ever wins this argument, though there are some solid points to be made while the discussion goes on. I have found, as the enemy becomes more familiar, that all the special pleading for salvation, redemption and supernatural deliverance appears even more hollow and artificial to me than it did before.
He said his trust was now better placed in two things:
The skill and principle of advanced medical science, and the comradeship of innumerable friends and family, all of them immune to the false consolations of religion. It is these forces among others which will speed the day when humanity emancipates itself from the mind-forged manacles of servility and superstition. It is our innate solidarity, and not some despotism of the sky, which is the source of our morality and our sense of decency.
He added:
The pattern and origin of all dictatorship is the surrender of reason to absolutism and the abandonment of critical, objective inquiry. The cheap name for this lethal delusion is religion, and we must learn new ways of combating it in the public sphere, just as we have learned to free ourselves of it in private.
Our weapons are the ironic mind against the literal: the open mind against the credulous; the courageous pursuit of truth against the fearful and abject forces who would set limits to investigation (and who stupidly claim that we already have all the truth we need). Perhaps above all, we affirm life over the cults of death and human sacrifice and are afraid, not of inevitable death, but rather of a human life that is cramped and distorted by the pathetic need to offer mindless adulation, or the dismal belief that the laws of nature respond to wailings and incantations.
But just last week, someone called Mark Judge, writing for the Daily Caller, posed the question:
Could Christopher Hitchens become a Christian?
And Judge, subsequently described here by Ophelia Benson as “a vulture licking its filthy chops”, said:
It’s a possibility that doesn’t seem laughable anymore.
Hitchens is survived by his wife, Carol Blue, and their daughter, Antonia, and his children from a previous marriage, Alexander and Sophia.
Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter described the writer as someone:
Of ferocious intellect, who was as vibrant on the page as he was at the bar. Those who read him felt they knew him, and those who knew him were profoundly fortunate souls.
Hitchens became contributing editor to Vanity Fair in November 1992. He was diagnosed with cancer in June 2010, and documented his declining health in his Vanity Fair column.
He wrote for numerous publications including The Times Literary Supplement, the Daily Express, the London Evening Standard, Newsday and The Atlantic.
He was the author of 17 books, including The Trial of Henry Kissinger, God is not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything, and a memoir, Hitch-22.
A collection of his essays, Arguably, was released this year.
Hat tip: BarrieJohn, Adam Tjaavk, John Morris and others too numerous to mention.
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
December 16th, 2011 at 9:32 am
I woke up to the news this morning and I’m absulutely fucking gutted
There will never be anyone like Christopher hitchens again, a trully uique individual who was never afraid to voice his opinions no matter how unpopular they were and how many people agreed with or disagreed with him wether it was his support for the iraq war or his criticism of mother theresa (just examples) a true champion of free speech and free thought the world is much shitter place without him.
December 16th, 2011 at 9:33 am
A truly unique man has passed, I will miss his wit and passion. The world will be a duller place without him.
It will be interesting to see if any religious parasites try to do, what they always do, and claim he had a deathbed conversion.
December 16th, 2011 at 9:37 am
I’ll salute Hitch’s contribution to our species with a Johnny Walker Black. His favourite I do believe.
December 16th, 2011 at 10:03 am
A great man has not only died but died with courage and defiance. He is an example to us all. It turns the stomach that christians would use this brave man’s death to unload their sick bile.
December 16th, 2011 at 10:06 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fzxJ4xGEGc
December 16th, 2011 at 10:07 am
All I can think of to say is “lo siento”.
December 16th, 2011 at 10:10 am
With his support of George Bush and the Iaq war, there were some things it was possible to be at odds with Hitch on. When it came to religion, you disagree with the man at your peril. Fortunately, having been a regular visitor and commentator on this site for a while now, it is clear that there are many of us out here ready to continue his cause.
This is indeed a sad day. And a big “fuck you” to any ‘good christians’ who find this death one to celebrate.
December 16th, 2011 at 10:13 am
A great thinker and orator. The world needs more like him.
December 16th, 2011 at 10:13 am
I am gutted. Hitch was one of my heroes, as I’m sure he was for so many people here.
My Dad died from oesophageal cancer, so I knew that it was one of the least survivable cancers. (My Dad lasted just a year from diagnosis to death). But I hoped that he could somehow buck the trend and beat it.
I can’t imagine not having Hitch out there telling it EXACTLY as it is, representing we nonbelievers with such honesty, directness and sheer brilliance with words.
Here’s Hitch on the subject of religious hopes for a deathbed turnaround: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....ideo_title
I wrote him a long e-mail a few months ago, thanking him for what he has done for me, and for the “cause” of unbelief in the world. I do hope he saw it.
What a sad day for reason. We will never see his like again.
December 16th, 2011 at 10:19 am
A sad day. No one lives for ever and we all knew that his end was coming, that doesn’t stop the wish that it had come at a later date. Bye Hitch.
December 16th, 2011 at 10:22 am
Shit. My thoughts are with his family (although fat lot of good that’ll do). A true individual who will be sorely missed. I think I’ll just watch that Intelligence Squared debate again in his memory.
December 16th, 2011 at 10:34 am
His death is a great loss, but–goodness!–didn’t we all gain by his life!
December 16th, 2011 at 10:34 am
Out of curiosity I went to have a look at our old friend Bob Hutton’s website, knowing he would take the opportunity to attack Hitchens. As usual, the predictable little maggot has stated that Hitch is burning in hell (as will we on this site).
Normally I would happily leave a post on his site, but as we know he will delete anything that does not agree with his deluded view of the world.
December 16th, 2011 at 10:56 am
You beat me to it, Tony! This is very sad news, as we were all hoping against hope for a different outcome, I know. There really is no one else around of Hitchens’s calibre to my knowledge. Some great stuff here by which to remember his intellect and wit:
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Christopher_Hitchens
December 16th, 2011 at 11:00 am
Here’s a link to Hutton’s bile:
http://www.bobhutton1.blogspot.com/
It gives me no pleasure to state that if Hitchens did not repent then he is definitely in the torments of Hell right now and bitterly regretting his refusal to seek God’s mercy.
Oh, please!!
December 16th, 2011 at 11:20 am
@barriejohn,
BH is a sadly predictable individual.
December 16th, 2011 at 11:22 am
I am in tears atthis moment overcome with emotion that such a great man has passed away. Yes some will say bad things about him and of course bring their gods in to it. I have a feeling a lot of bad things will be said about him but he spoke for me so eloquently and sincerely and willlive on in history as a great man who in some way will I know have contributed to getting the evil of religion out of the hands of those who use their religions for hate.
December 16th, 2011 at 11:31 am
Even though the result be ever so abject or pathetic, I shall strive to emulate Hitch.
December 16th, 2011 at 11:35 am
Very sad. A great character in this play of life.
I lost my mum to oesophageal cancer too. It’s very nasty.
I’m going to raise a drink to Hitch this Yuletide.
December 16th, 2011 at 11:47 am
We all knew it was coming, but it doesn’t make it any easier to take. I’m truly gutted. What a great contribution he made to the cause of reason, and what a terrible, terrible loss his passing is.
December 16th, 2011 at 11:57 am
A great man has died – long live his work and may we all pick up the baton.
December 16th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
We have lost a powerful weapon with the death of Christopher Hitchens. It is up to all of us to continue his work.
As for Hutton’s comment, no surprise from a fool.
December 16th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Goodbye Hitch. We will miss you.
December 16th, 2011 at 1:33 pm
Atheist debater martin J Willet’s obituary for the Hitch ; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbzANid-ROU
December 16th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
So sad! I will be raising a Johnnie Walker Black tonight.
December 16th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Very sad indeed.
December 16th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
Intellectually and morally brave. The world was a better place with Hitch in it.
December 16th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
I bought a bottle of ‘Mr Walker’s amber restorative’ to drink to his memory. Like many others here, I had hoped he would hang on longer, and I’m really sorry he wasn’t able to, but at least he’s no longer in pain. He was the closest I’ve ever got to having a personal hero. The religulous have been relishing his illness since it was first announced. A sickening example is disected here
December 16th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Really? Do you despise religion so much that you see Hitchens merely as a weapon against it? What about everything else he did? Like his fighting for democracy? No, you just see him as a weapon against faith.
It is sad that Hitchens is dead, I liked him too. I will miss him, and I will be so courteous as to not pray for his soul.
P.S. Religion is not related in any way to ‘superstition’. Crystal balls are way more ridiculous than Transubtantiation or Parthenogenesis.
December 16th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
I’ve decided I am not going to read any of the comments of the christian scum salivating at their fantasy of Christopher Hitchens being in hell. That is one kind of anger I can do without at the moment. Christopher Hitchens, in his writing, will stay alive in the minds of many and gain insight and admiration long after these sick christian bigots are dead. They lose. Hitchens triumphs. It cannot be other than that.
December 16th, 2011 at 4:44 pm
Broga
You do right not dignify their ignorance with a response. They thrive on our attention – ignore them and they will, one day, go away for ever.
December 16th, 2011 at 4:48 pm
Terrible news, although his contribution to mankind will outlive his own life. Farewell Christopher, and thank you.
December 16th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
What a light has been extinguished, but while it burned it illuminated the darkest corners and showed us clearly that which we will not forget.
December 16th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Christopher Hitchens; gone before his time but not before making his mark as a formidable vessel of great wisdom and even greater humanity.
December 16th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
Gutted. Me and the chums are having a little gathering tomorrow. We’ll drink some Black Label and slag off Mother Teresa. It’s what he would have wanted.
December 16th, 2011 at 5:56 pm
The Daily Mash is actually rather sweet about Hitch.
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/.....112164685/
December 16th, 2011 at 6:24 pm
tony e. I understand there was actually a last minute deathbed conversion. So that’s one less hospital chaplain!
December 16th, 2011 at 6:46 pm
I fear that, like the poor, the religiots will always be with us, but speaking as a former Christian I do agree that it is best NOT to leave comments on sites belonging to nutters like Hutton and Green. I do understand the temptation to tell them just what you think of them and their infantile views, but I can assure you that that is just what they want, and the more strident you are in opposing them the greater the evidence, to them, that “the Holy Spirit” is “using them” and “convicting” you through their words. (They particularly like it when strong language is used, as that is clear evidence that they have got the Devil riled.) Nothing is going to convince them that the situation is otherwise, and you are only encouraging them, so I would say: read, ridicule, but leave well alone!
December 16th, 2011 at 7:31 pm
I agree. Thay are impervious to reason and thrive on negative emotions.
December 16th, 2011 at 7:53 pm
“To live in the hearts we leave behind is to never die” Christopher hitchens lives on
December 16th, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Don, I was waiting for the Mash to weigh in. I was not disappointed. Thanks for the link.
One good turn deserves another. The Onion, 2003.
http://www.theonion.com/articl.....ailer,165/
December 16th, 2011 at 8:16 pm
I would go further, BarrieJohn, and ask folk not to post links to these reptiles’ blogs. Hutton’s in particular, as I strongly suspect that this pathetic, attention-seeking article ejaculates in his pants each time his name (and blog) is mentioned. The creepy little pervert emailed me this morning as soon as he posted his idiotic piece … and I trashed it, as I do all his communications.
December 16th, 2011 at 9:43 pm
I’ve othing to add here, that hasn’t been said better by others. A sad loss.
December 16th, 2011 at 11:07 pm
Right, Barry; but why on earth would he imagine that you of all people would be interested in what he has posted? I couldn’t help noticing that there are hardly any comments on his site whatsoever, which speaks volumes for its popularity!
(PS Christians can’t lose: when things are going well it’s because “The Lord” is working with them; when things go badly it’s because they’ve aroused the ire of “The Devil”!)
December 17th, 2011 at 12:43 am
A true mountain of an intellect has died…and the Vatican cretins breath a silent sigh of relief.
As Achilles said in the film Troy….Is there no one else!!!…Is there no one else!!!
All who pen comments on these pages must …in our own ways ….fill this gaping void…..we owe him at least that.
December 17th, 2011 at 1:17 am
More food for thought:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/new.....uotes.html
“[O]wners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are god. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realise that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are gods.”
December 17th, 2011 at 7:18 am
barriejohn
The reason there are so few posts on Hutton’s blog is because the loathsome little fuckwit hardly ever lets anything through.
While he likes nothing better than to write articles designed to cause maximum provocation and offence, he is too immature and too insecure to then enter into any kind of debate about them. On the odd occasion he does post a comment his stock response is to tell you to beg forgiveness before you end up in eternal hellfire. If it wasn’t so pathetic it would be funny.
December 17th, 2011 at 7:26 am
I know that, AgentCormac, but where are all the millions of “right-thinking people” supporting him (and Green)? They claim – like another paragon of virtue once did – that the “silent majority” are on their side, yet provide no evidence that that is so. His Hitchens bile has still only attracted one comment:
You are a vile person
Hahahahaha!!!!!
December 17th, 2011 at 9:14 am
Barriejohn and AC
Erm, no. It attracted two, at least. Mine’s quite probably unprintable though…
December 17th, 2011 at 10:46 am
A sad loss.
BUT.
At least now, when a member of the Atheist community finds themself in a moment of extremis, their thoughts can turn to the words of a once wise, now dead, and therefore forever utterly unresponsive figure of personal inspiration for comfort – and know in addition that their one at least has the benefit of a proven existence…
December 17th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
@No Name: “Crystal balls are way more ridiculous than Transubtantiation or Parthenogenesis.”
Er, really?
December 17th, 2011 at 5:34 pm
@ZombieHunter you took the words from my mouth…
I am so sad at them moment, but know will celebrate the life of the great Christopher Hitchens for the rest of my days. Sigh…
December 18th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
Hitchens was an atheist, however, he was also a war-mongering atheist who supported the invasion of Iraq.
December 20th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
I am rather late but I raise a glass of Jack to a great man. If there is a so called heaven or hell, I would rather spend eternity in hell with him than in heaven with the idiot christians, that wouold be hell