The Death of an Atheist

Christopher Hitchens - British/American Intellectual, Writer, Renowned Atheist (13 April 1949-15 December 2011)

Last year, I was fascinated by a heated public debate between Christopher Hitchens and Tony Blair entitled, "Is Religion A Force For Good In The World?" As the former Prime Minister of Great Britain, Blair was already a global household name but it was really that debate which made me take notice of Hitchens. Blair argued for the affirmative while Hitchens vigorously opposed.

Both men exhibited unusual intelligence and presented compelling arguments which kept me riveted to the television screen. However, Blair was no modern-day Apostle Paul with a comprehensive understanding of Apologetics so Hitchens seemed to have the upper hand. Nonetheless, I actually learned a few things that I plan to use to my advantage in future debates of my own.

Here's what Paul Harris of The Guardian, UK had to say in the article; "Christopher Hitchens 1-0 Tony Blair"

Both men were unabashedly stalwart in their positions. Hitchens, one of the leading "new atheists" and author of the hit book God Is Not Great, slammed religion as nothing more than supernatural gobbledegook that caused untold misery throughout human history. "Once you assume a creator and a plan it make us subjects in a cruel experiment," Hitchens said before causing widespread laughter by comparing God to "a kind of divine North Korea".


Blair, perhaps not surprisingly, was a little less forthright. On the backfoot for much of the debate he kept returning to his theme that many religious people all over the world were engaged in great and good works. They did that because of their faith, he argued, and to slam all religious people as ignorant or evil was plain wrong. "The proposition that religion is unadulterated poison is unsustainable," he said. Blair called religion at its best "a benign progressive framework by which to live our lives".

Christopher Hitchens died last week after battling with cancer. For him the debate is now over and that's no laughing matter. 

Here's a short excerpt from his orbituary at BBC News;

Religion, or rather his complete rejection of it, would remain a target throughout his life. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2010, he told one interviewer: "No evidence or argument has yet been presented which would change my mind. But I like surprises."

SURPRISE!

Hebrews 9:27(KJV) - And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

When people die, there is no more need for compelling arguments or reliable evidence. The truth is laid bare before their eyes. There will be no more need for discussion. It's a harsh reality that some are yet to grasp.

Here's a simple argument. What if The Bible's wrong and there's nothing after death? At least we who believed, enjoyed full lives on earth benefiting from a fictitious relationship with a God who seemingly was actively involved in our daily lives. However, what if The Bible's right? Life on earth regardless of what it is like will be the best time ever for everyone who rejects Christ. Why? Nothing's worst than the eternity they will spend in hell. There's only one way to prove who's right. DIE!

1 John 2:1(KJV) - My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: