Christopher Hitchens Diagnosed with Cancer of the Esophagus

Never a good thing. Most of the time, cancer of the esophagus is not diagnosed until it has we progressed. The survival rate period is five percent period, without counting the prospect of the victim losing his voice and/or the ability to swallow solid food.

I have mixed emotions about Christopher Hitchens. We are diametrically opposed on the idea that Christianity has poisoned the human condition even though I frequently think he does have a point about many fundamentalist adherents of the religion. We could debate that issue for hours.

One of my biggest failures as a Christian is evangelizing. I think it is a pretentious pastime that can force people further away from salvation when done obnoxiously. Therefore, I am not terribly fond of the in your face methods often used by Christians and atheists alike to push their philosophy. Hitchens is no exception.

You are digging your own grave no matter who you are or what you believe, so I try not to grind my are too much about anyone’s behavior as long as no one else is harmed. Not that I approve, mind you, but the guy has been a hard drinker and smoker for years, yet is ready to face the consequences of his actions. A lot of people will not act that way when it comes time to reap what has been sown.

In that regard, I do have to wonder if Hitchens will ever reflect on the blasphemes he has hurled at god and Christianity over the years. Probably not. He appears to hol the same attitude as Bill Maher that if you are going to reject the Almighty and his ideals, you might as well go for broke. Hey, the guy thinks accepting the logic of Occam’s Razor equals a half-hearted, get out of hell free card, commitment. Who can argue with that.

I wish Hitchens well. I have enjoyed much of his writings even though I have agreed with less than half at best. He is a captivating speaker and tireless defender of Western civilization, even if he fails to recognize the vital role Christianity has played in Western civilization.

God has shown much mercy in allowing him to attack Him in the manner he has. Perhaps God will grant him even more mercy in his battle with cancer.