Free Exercise of Religion? No, Thanks.

The taming and domestication of religious faith is one of the unceasing chores of civilization.
By Christopher Hitchens


A recent blizzard of liberal columns has framed the debate over American Islam as if it were no more than the most recent stage in the glorious history of our religious tolerance. This phrasing of the question has the (presumably intentional) effect of marginalizing doubts and of lumping any doubters with the anti-Catholic Know-Nothings, the anti-Semites, and other bigots and shellbacks. So I pause to take part in a thought experiment, and to ask myself: Am I in favor of the untrammeled "free exercise of religion"?
Read more (Sept. 6, 2010, Slate)

Hitchens' verdict on Tony Blair's memoir

"The righteous will evidently never tire of the pelting and taunting of Tony Blair."


Read more. (The Guardian, Sept 5, 2010)

From A Friend To Hitchens

Hugh Hewitt posts an email sent to him following "Unanswerable Prayers".

Christopher Hitchens in his column in the new Vanity Fair dismisses those who have been praying for him. He adds that on September 20th, somehow designated "Pray for Hitchens Day", no one should bother to "trouble deaf heaven with your bootless cries. Unless, of course, it makes you feel better". He is quoting from Shakespeare's Sonnet # 29.
Read more.

No 'Collision' in Ottawa Pub

By Kenyon Wallace

An Ottawa pub has refused to host an Anglican church group’s film night, fearing the movie’s debate over the existence of God may offend religious pub-goers.

The Heart & Crown pub says it decided to pull the plug on St. Alban’s Anglican Church’s showing this week of the movie Collision — a documentary featuring well-known atheist Christopher Hitchens and evangelical theologian Douglas Wilson — after seeing a pamphlet advertising the film.

Read more: http://life.nationalpost.com/2010/09/03/pub-refuses-anglican-movie-night-because-relgiousanti-relgious-nature-of-feature/#ixzz0yYdI9o86

Unanswerable Prayers

What’s an atheist to think when thousands of believers (including prominent rabbis and priests) are praying for his survival and salvation—while others believe his cancer was divinely inspired, and hope that he burns in hell? Related: The first in the series, “Topic of Cancer,” by Christopher Hitchens.

Continue reading. (Vanity Fair)

Coming Up: Hitchens vs Rabbi Shmuley

"Is There An Afterlife"? CH debates Rabbi Shmuley in New York on Thursday, September 16, 2010.

Followed by a press conference to discuss the debate, and a book signing.

For tickets and info click here.

White Fright

Glenn Beck's rally was large, vague, moist, and undirected—theWaterworld of white self-pity.


One crucial element of the American subconscious is about to become salient and explicit and highly volatile. It is the realization that white America is within thinkable distance of a moment when it will no longer be the majority.
Continue reading

Hitchens & Al Sharpton on Hardball (2007)

Hardball with Chris Matthews, MSNBC, June 28, 2007

(1/3)

For Christopher Hitchens

By The Thinking Atheist

77 WABC Radio: Christopher Hitchens

Aug 22, 2010. Rabbi Shmuley discusses cancer, religion, Hitch22, and prayers with CH.



Play 2 Videos

Collision (The Movie) - Christopher Hitchens vs. Douglas Wilson

Thanks to DrKroenen2000 for uploading.

(1/9)

Author Christopher Hitchens

CH guest on Charlie Rose, August 13, 2010.

Watch the interview here.

Duration 52:54

Paula Cohen interviews CH

Part 2

What Should Israel Do About Iran?