As a rationalist, I won’t become too maudlin or remorseful. However, I do miss his optimism; wit and ability to obliterate any of the numerous faithful who attempted to challenge him in debate and who he'd tear to pieces with his knowledge, word choice and ideas. Sometimes he did this with half his brain tied behind his back after knocking back multiple glasses of whiskey before he’d take the podium and take down his opponent.
In this hectic and stressful world of ours it is sometimes too easy to forget both simple and great men. Sometimes without even realizing it we dim the light of memory as the years pass and as we recall less. However, I believe Christopher Hitchens is one of those seminal intellectuals who will live on for generations. This, because of his intellect, his books and articles and the numerous videos that will keep his memory and ideas alive. Hitchens' brilliance showed both in his passion and compassion for good ideas and truth versus the tyrannical lies and self-deception of superstition, religion and faith.
His voice will be circling in my head until I follow him into the nothingness void of non-existence. Until that day, if I maintain the capacity to do so, I will recall him fondly.
I think we should all acknowledge the huge debt which the non-theist movement owes to him. We stand on the shoulders of a true giant. So not only do we owe a debt, but we must also carry on in his memory for the sake of rationality, humanism and secularism to ensure each holds a firm place in our philosophy, in our politics and in our total human experience.
Thank you Hitch for having balls to challenge ignorance and stand your ground. I’ll be sipping a little Johnnie Walker Black in your honor this evening.
I remember having saw on Facebook a picture showing his portrait and below it the caption: "Your argument was just destroyed." It summed up his personality quite nicely.
ReplyDeleteHi Michel,
ReplyDeleteYes! Exactly. Hitchens was a brilliant, focused and forceful debater. I'm glad he was on our side! :-)
Cheers,
David
He is without doubt much missed, Who could not regret the passing of a man who so aptly described the catholic church as " a clutch of sinister virgins" or said of Falwell " if you gave him an enema , you could bury him in a matchbox".
ReplyDeleteHello Aileen,
ReplyDeleteYes. Exactly. Your point is very well taken and we very much agree!
Cheers,
David
The Hitch was one of the greatest polemicists of our generation. His contribution would remain indelible.
ReplyDeleteKorli
I agree with all of the comments above. I had only come to learn about Hitch only months before he passed away. I was heart-broken. Even now when I watch him debate in videos my heart hurts a little and I could just sob. Sure hope he knew how much he was loved and would be missed at the end of his time on this earth.
ReplyDeleteHello to both Anonymous and Karen,
ReplyDeleteThank you each for your comments. I really appreciate your sharing. Hitchens was and remains a lightning rod for our cause. Let's keep him from thoughts and continue to do his good works to liberate all of humanity.
Cheers,
David
"Thank you Hitch for having balls to challenge ignorance and stand your ground. I’ll be sipping a little Johnnie Walker Black in your honor this evening."
ReplyDeleteStay classy.
Great tribute ...to the Hitch...Cheers
ReplyDeleteThis man was a giant, I will never forget him. Nice tribute.
ReplyDeleteHi Chris,
ReplyDeleteYes he was. We will never forget Hitchens. Thank you for reading the site and for your support.
Cheers,
David
Beautifully said. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi Tom,
ReplyDeleteThank you and thanks for connecting to the website. Welcome!
Cheers,
David