Christopher Hitchens on Jesus of Nazareth

Christopher Hitchens on Jesus of Nazareth.

[@michaelgreene7041]

Here with my morning coffee and my daily dose of Hitchens. Not too many better ways to start your day.

[@eenie1234]

Jesus really existed and was the Son of God, I know so because I've had it drummed into me by believers so it must be true.

[@maflones]

You are psychotic.

[@9tailjeza]

Critic (al) i think sarcastic is the word you’re looking for

[@jonathanswires1264]

Just because it was drummed into your ears by those who believe it doesn't necessarily mean it's true! You can be taught from a young age that 2×2=5 or that the Nazis didn't murder 6 million Jews during WW2, but that doesn't make it true. I am a Catholic Christian who has studied Theology, biblical studies, Philosophy, History, Early Church History, Patrology, Judaism, Greek and Hebrew. Therefore regarding the historical figure of Jesus Of Nazareth, the Messiah, the Word/Son of God and Son of Man who was crucified, died and rose again, it's not true because we believe it: rather, we believe it because it's TRUE, based on, not only the 4 gospels- two of whom ( Matthew and John) Knew Jesus personally, but also very reliable and independent non biblical sources. Mark didn't know Jesus personally, but he received the events and life of Jesus from Peter the apostle who knew Jesus. Moreover, we can go outside the Gospel accounts to verify Jesus: go and read the 1st century Jewish historian Josephus; and also read the ANNALS by the Roman historian Tacitus, who confirms the existence and crucifixion of Jesus Of Nazareth. And lastly go study archaeology And See for yourself. My point is that its not just- and shouldn't be just- blind faith and belief, but the use of reason in all its different forms. And the thing about Christianity is that it's HISTORICAL!!!! It's grounded in and appeals to history, because the physical world with human beings as God's climax, which is why He became human for our salvation, is destined for transfiguration and renewal. God bless you. Jonathan

[@charlieschneider5649]

Bruh he's being sarcastic

[@mikemc4549]

Me too...they pointed at words in a book and everything

[@bourbonyoung6237]

Dinesh still can’t kick a goal even when Christopher is no longer playing.

[@FakingANerve]

Hahaha! Well said. 😂🍻

[@themoralcube]

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Everything exists on a spectrum. To be completely devoted and trusting of God, means to completely live in the present, not to worry about the physical. Most won't achieve that, so on a spectrum approach the other side of this wisdom says. Worry only about what you will eat... how much mental time will you spend each day thinking about food and drink. Worry only about your body, how you look, how others perceive you, whether you're ugly, whether your beautiful, whether your thighs are too big, or calves to small, be completely self absorbed in your looks. Worry all day about what clothes you wear, worry about whether the pants match with the shirt, whether to wear a hat, or a coat, these shoes or those shoes, worry about your watch, your jewellery. If we spent 10 hours a day every day focusing on our material existance, we miss an enormous opportunity to discover more about ourselves. We're asleep 8 hours a day, when we focus on the material world to an immense degree, we remain unconscious for 18 hours or more.

[@bourbonyoung6237]

@@themoralcube Who mentioned worry? And why would I focus 12-18hrs a day on deity that either can’t exist of has never contacted us. Consequences don’t evaporate after the instant. Ignoring evidence/consequences is exactly why religion is still a thing 2000 years later. It should never take a species with an functioning organ above its brain stem 2000 years to work this out. Yet it remains.

[@ashleycohen2258]

Chris is still with us. Jesus ain't

[@waggishsagacity7947]

bourbonyoung6237; Agreed. No wonder. Dinesh couldn't deal with anything but his own narrow and uncompromising views. Granted, Christopher Hitchens was the wrong opponent to just about any debater, but one cannot play tennis, [Hitchens] for example, when his opponent insists on engaging in swimming [Dinesh], for example.

[@sume6103]

Love Christopher Hitchens! He completely nails it when he speaks about any subject. I have started to read "God is not Great".

[@AFMMarcelD]

Soon it will be one of your favorites books, one where he did not left anything unturned, Hitch covered all aspects of religion in a straightforward rational honest manner. I got lucky to put a bit on eBay 15 years ago, and won first edition hard cover, signed by the man himself, it’s my little treasure, my son will get it after I’m gone, then his son and so on.

[@yampadeja9515]

I rejoice at lack of humanity and respect displayed by some religious believers when commenting the death of a fellow human being, just because he disagreed with their views. I rejoice because it goes to show that I made the right choice in forsaking religion. I am really glad to not be counted in the numbers of people that can surely talk the talk, but that can rarely walk the walk. Whatever happened to “Love thy enemy”, “Love thy neighbor” and “Turning the other cheek”? Death awaits us all, and perhaps it would be worth saving a glimmer of dignity for when the moment comes. Everything else is just politics masqueraded as religion.

[@Elmwood-ze3cr]

Great words my friend , iv never felt so happy and contented since i gave up any form of belief in whatever they may or may not be , all religeon is Evil and causes nothing but trouble and death

[@GBValode]

Paskals wager , the weakest argument in favor of religion of all. Cringeworthy stuff Clive

[@christopherfranklin4760]

Good to hear some intelligent responses here. The best word to describe the religious zealots who unfortunately exist in numbers far larger than they should be, is hypocrite. They will be "holier than thou" on Sunday and just go off and do their "ungodly" acts later in the week. They put "on the face" as long as it suits their need. And need I bring up the shysters who willingly take a lot of your money and live the life of a king (Osteen comes to mind). A fool and his money are definitely parted in church.

[@resourcingleaders]

All forms of ‘religion’ are non-productive. However, Jesus Christ was not religious. His whole reason for being on earth was to rebuke religion. So many religious people who think they follow Christ have given Christianity a bad name. Don’t let them ruin a great personal relationship with Jesus. It is possible to live with such freedom. The world is not progressing. It is deteriorating. This is because the world is turning it’s back on God. We don’t even want to know there is a God. His plan is much more intricate than of us could understand. That’s what makes him God. To rely so much on Science is the very problem. God tells us that without faith, we cannot please Him. This faith transcends all forms of Science which is so limited.

[@Elmwood-ze3cr]

Clive Howlett-Jones :)

[@MyloDude22]

Did Jesus tell his disciples to leave their families or not? Did he not tell a rich man the best thing he could do is sell all of his belongings and follow him or not? Did Jesus say he came to divide(partly families) or not? Do I constantly get told to "accept Jesus now before it's too late" or don't I? I constantly see Christian friends say they depend on God, but never see them willfully sell all their belongings, quit their job and abandon their children.

[@flymoolahman2763]

What would seeing your Christian friends making obviously stupid decisions with their belongings prove? Jesus ascended to heaven we can’t follow him anymore only in Spirit now

[@flymoolahman2763]

“With man this is impossible, with God all things are possible”

[@29008000]

"there may have been a charismatic, deluded individual wandering around..." I am willing to believe that.

[@MrDaiseymay]

We call them Politicians today

[@totallyclips]

and he or she was more than likely stoned, who else walks about for 40 days and nights

[@jc333jc]

Good voice, good orator,good mind. Great man. Flawed; as are we all, but a great man.

[@themoralcube]

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Everything exists on a spectrum. To be completely devoted and trusting of God, means to completely live in the present, not to worry about the physical. Most won't achieve that, so on a spectrum approach the other side of this wisdom says. Worry only about what you will eat... how much mental time will you spend each day thinking about food and drink. Worry only about your body, how you look, how others perceive you, whether you're ugly, whether your beautiful, whether your thighs are too big, or calves to small, be completely self absorbed in your looks. Worry all day about what clothes you wear, worry about whether the pants match with the shirt, whether to wear a hat, or a coat, these shoes or those shoes, worry about your watch, your jewellery. If we spent 10 hours a day every day focusing on our material existance, we miss an enormous opportunity to discover more about ourselves. We're asleep 8 hours a day, when we focus on the material world to an immense degree, we remain unconscious for 18 hours or more.

[@flymoolahman2763]

Very nicely put here

[@JackKangaroo1]

@joemoe23 Yo, JoeMoe, I'm a 62 year old college educated civil engineer with an IQ of 140. I know the nature of reality already and I know that rational thought, as displayed by men like Christopher Hitchens and Albert Einstein, can never be "irrelevant" to the realities of our world. I also know that you cannot alter any realities, especially the physical realities of the world we live in, through any form of incantation, prayer included, which makes all forms of prayer irrelevant.

[@plotinuswashere]

"people who boast about their IQ are losers" - Stephen Hawking

[@flymoolahman2763]

Because Prayer is a spiritual action, not an earthly action

[@fredthompson1674]

My bucket list became incomplete the day Christopher died. Thank goodness for his books and f-ing KZbin baby !!!

[@tulipsontheorgan]

ahhhhh, I haven't listen to Hitch in a while....he is soothing to my ears and my head.

[@flymoolahman2763]

I hope in Christ that God called you and you answered ❤

[@jcarterjoseph9066]

He completely nails it. For the history of the region at the time one Jesus of Nazareth lived, please see Reza Aslan's 'Zealot'. It lists what little we actually know of the man in the context of the time and geography, separating fact from the legend that developed after the time of Mark, who wrote his gospel 40 years after the death of Jesus of Nazareth.

[@plotinuswashere]

"completely nails it" just like Jesus!😂

[@FakingANerve]

​@@plotinuswashere Rohhhh, man! 😅

[@arriuscalpurniuspiso]

Read the book. Unfortunately Reza wasn't willing to call the Resurrection the utter nonsense that it is

[@Frilledgish]

thanks for the upload

[@Mccnuget]

Also, I am a very devout Catholic. But i love Hitchen's. His views on counter-religion, are by far the best, and I agree on a lot of concepts. If there isn't a Roman Catholic God, then God is certainly Hitchen's himself.

[@3joewj]

He's a moran.

[@Danny451]

@@3joewj And you're a "MORON."

[@3joewj]

@@Danny451 i think he debated while drinking honestly.

[@MrDaiseymay]

is it the promise of unpunished Paedophilia that draws you?

[@3joewj]

@@MrDaiseymay If thats your argument the same can be said for Atheists but its worse, its the promise of unpunished everything

[@offelius]

You should definitely buy it! Provocative reading, as allways wih Hitchens.

[@enfynet]

If I remove the last part of this statement, would that make it more or less valid? Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 2:3-5 NASB)

[@benjaminmiller3032]

I love hitch so much, miss him

[@flymoolahman2763]

Pretty funny given this was the least loving speech I’ve ever listened to

[@benjaminmiller3032]

@@flymoolahman2763 truth is loving, he’s dropping truth bombs in love

[@shwanjalal8709]

Even though I never met him or even knew about him when he was still alive my goodness do I miss christopher hitchens.

[@Stupidityindex]

CAPUT still holds similar meaning. Done with, over, dead, broken, the end of, no more. Still used and understood in my american culture. From urban dictionary.

[@nonyadamnbusiness9887]

How much of what is attributed to Jesus is what he said and how much of it was Paul creating a doomsday cult?

[@yowzephyr]

I'm impressed by the scholar Richard Carrier who asserts that the historical Jesus never existed. He makes strong, thorough arguments. I would love to hear him address Hitchens' point here.

[@plotinuswashere]

you should read Bart Ehrman. he's a former evangelical, current atheist biblical scholar, that argues for the existence of a historical Jesus. he's written a bunch of books on the topic, but he's also got a youtube channel with debates and a great podcast

[@yowzephyr]

@@plotinuswashere Thanx. I might get around to checking him out.....Probably nothing could be more heart breaking for Christians than if extraterrestrials provided us with lengthy videos showing us what the real Jesus was like.

[@Pjkoko]

Agreed. He did not exist. Just a myth created by the Romans.

[@N.Earl2850]

2 hundred decades later & they are still mad at Gsus. Will the same thing be said of his detractors. Miss u hitch22

[@cdnmetelhead4013]

Always look on the bright side of life.

[@ItsEasyIfYouThink]

Even so, what sick person would make jokes about someone - ANYONE - being in the worst possible existence ever? What person would be so low as to add insult to the ultimate injury? Why don't you take a good, long look inside yourself and start asking why you would ever do something like that? That's worse than laughing at rape, or murder, or any other crime, in your view. And yet you laugh as easily as if it were a game. This is real to you. So ACT LIKE IT.

[@SomecallmeJack]

its good. Hes very witty. Much more conversational style than the God Delusion, if you've read that.

[@stephenr80]

We talk about things in an age were people thought, acted and wrote very differently

[@arriuscalpurniuspiso]

The world needs to grow up and move on from religion. It's so antiquated

[@erikeparsels]

I don't think they make up the story to get him from Nazareth to Bethlehem because there really was someone in the Nazareth area, because Nazareth didn't even exist as a town until quite a bit after the time period attributed to Jesus. Rather I suspect that Christians, seeking to convince their fellow Jews of the idea that Jesus was indeed the messiah, conflated the biblical prophecy that "he shall be called a nazarite" with the name of the town of Nazareth and so made up the ridiculous census and everyone going back to their home town story because by that time they were committed to the idea that he was associated with Nazareth.

[@boomslang2681]

CH is with God now.

[@TatsujinSan]

I like to think that, when they scurry away from a debate they can't win, a little part of them inside has acknowledged the fact that what they think they know they don't.

[@TatsujinSan]

3 "because that would raise the question of is he wrong" Noooo if we're granting theoretically that he is perfect than it raises the question of DOES he really have qualms with our actions. It doesn't raise the question of is he wrong because we're assuming for the sake of argument that he can't be. The question defeats your proposition. "What you need to do is sincerely look for ways to prove god exist instead of thinking 'no he doesn't and I'm gonna prove it.'"

[@37Dionysos]

BOOM.

[@Mark-xs9wd]

Well to me, it sounds like that dude got the WHOLE GODDAMN WORLD.

[@flymoolahman2763]

Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Do not live in the flesh anymore, turn away and look for your Spirit, search for the good in everyone. CHANGE

[@jakescorpion1]

The facts prove what he says

[@TatsujinSan]

... being "timeless" is, first of all, completely contradicted by the claimed actions of god made by christianity. Secondly, it in no way diminishes what I said about omniscience. Nor did I think it was "knowing the future". If you're under the impression that omniscience does not INCLUDE knowing the future however, even for a timeless god, you're mistaken. What I said stands.

[@Waldvogel91]

To add to the historical side of it, Nazareth didn't exist until the 4th Century.

[@lareneg72]

Tiberius most likely viewed Christians as a Jewish sect rather than a separate, distinct faith.[105]

[@bleirdo_dude]

Julius Caesar was a Christos(title).Gave his life's blood,was seen as a God/son of a God.The Comet of 44 BCE was seen as his soul.His wax effigy was nailed to a cross,was seen as a savior,craftsmen (military strategy),and related to the Dove symbol(Goddess Venus).Followers rubbed his pyre ash on their foreheads.Forgave sins.Betrayed by Brutus,stabbed by Longinus on 3/15.Deified,and his worship was made official by decree by his heir Augustus(virgin birth thru the God Apollo).

[@Tespri]

Actually every christian I have met... HAve said they KNOW god exists. In world of philosphy, only thing you can really be sure is that you exists. Ever heard "I exists, there for I'm"? You know if god exists or anything unnatura... the moment you prove it It becomes natural. For example, some people use to think fire is magic. Now we don't.

[@TatsujinSan]

LOGIC is how we dissect and analyze information to come to the most correct and/or most beneficial conclusion. You claim I say "morality is justified by logic". What is this "justified" nonsense? What does that even mean? Did you think I was saying HAVING morality is justified by logic? Morality is formed on an individual basis as a result of the individuals unique social conditioning, cognitive faculties(logic) and varyingly influenced by emotion. As for the omniscience thing...

[@jakescorpion1]

He's right.

[@pliossauroplanador6372]

All kinds of prophets, charlatans and madmen permeate our history with all kinds of revelation claims and alleged powers. You don’t even need to look into our barbaric past to find them, but it sure increases you chances. Jesus character could have been inspired by just any of them, or even none at all. Why are we having this discussion about Jesus and not Odin, Thor or Zeus is what really gives the discussion away. Its all an attempt to give validity to ones cult.

[@NOOBATOMIC]

+Pliossauro Planador I dont see any non Christians posting videos on how they had an spiritual experience with Odin, Thor or Zeus so thats why Jesus is the one way to God. Always for us.

[@pliossauroplanador6372]

72mansion You dont see those because those religions are practically extinct. Try one of the ones that still live on, like hinduism or islam. They too have all sorts of "Spiritual experiences". Also, try the series of "Psychology of Belief" on the AntiCiticenX Channel to understand why is that commom of the religious phenomena.

[@jandrews6254]

If Jesus was of the line of David, I take that to mean that Joseph was of that line. But how can Jesus be of the house of David if he’s the “son of god”, not Joseph?

[@williambradley8799]

Mary, and Joseph, both, were of the lineage of David. Jesus, was the Son of Man, by His earthly mother. He was, and still is, the Son of God, from the foundation of the world. The Code of Jewish Law clearly states that a child of a Jewish mother is Jewish, regardless of the father’s lineage. The divine conception is a deep mystery in our natural state to understand, but "with God, all things are possible".

[@Tespri]

Trying to avoid misunderstanding... so I'm gona fix that sentence from one great typo. I said IT could have been anything until we actually have some evidence what really did happen.

[@flymoolahman2763]

Bro go read the Gospels, if you aren’t willing to read the Gospels as much as I am in here reading all your unbelieving comments and listening to this passed man talk about his fleshly beliefs what more are you than just a soundboard for your own opinion?

[@Tespri]

@@flymoolahman2763 I have read, you are wrong

[@johns9350]

David Koresh, Charles Manson, Jesus Christ? Prophets tend to be charismatic and expert at manipulative persuasion, often sleeping around some of their women followers.

[@No2theBS]

And in Koresh's case sleeping with underage girls too.

[@francoismorin8721]

The passage of the Gospel often need to be linked together to understand a precise passage. I will start by stating the core of the Gospels teaching. The core, the center, of Jesus Gospels are resumed in those two passages: “Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” And what is God’s will? “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” They are not so long to read those Gospels (just 4 very small books). I agree with many arguments Christopher Hitchens brings to the table, but not with all his conclusions. I even learned a few things form him, which is impressive as I majored in comparative religion studies. As a former fervent Christian I struggled with the passage of the Gospel where Jesus says to prefer him over even your family. The Gospel is almost a perfect book of teaching unconditional love. See this quote from the Gospel of John. John 13:34-35 (NIV) 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” So it is very disturbing to read passages like Luke 14:26 that make Jesus sound like a sectarian egomaniac with brainwashing skills. So scientifically speaking one must ask 2 questions. 1- Are all passage from the Gospel really from Jesus? 2- Could it be a mistake to read a passage literally and not figuratively? I can suggest some answers to those questions. Well the first community of Christian may have added some passage to an original more primitive Gospel to suit their needs or correspond to their understanding of what is Jesus message. Remember that there are four Gospels and some writers may have passed on their understanding instead of Jesus teaching. Also if we read the Gospel as a whole more mystic and esoteric story by linking different passage together we get another meaning to those passage that often seems senseless. The Gospel of John is one of the best to understand the teaching of the Gospels in a more mystic and spiritual way and less literally. For example lets take the passage mentioned by Hitchens Luke 14:26 (NIV) 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters-yes, even their own life-such a person cannot be my disciple.” That really sounds creepy, like some sort of brainwashing destined to kill your identity for the better of the guru. BUT Jesus speaks like a prophet and a prophet his by tradition the voice of God. Himself said when I say I, I say God. See. John 7:16 (NIV) 16 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me.” (The one who sent me = God) Also the idea of being remade, reborn is part of a change the disciple must undergo according to Jesus. Well at least to give up on his or her old ways. It is said in John 3 : 5 (NIV) 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” You must first die to be born again. Die to what you were. This may be what the uncanny passage of Luke 14:26 tries to express in a clumsy and very figurative way (not to be taken literally.) Finally another passage is key to understand this passage of Luke may not be so hard if inserted within a larger text (The complete Gospel). Mark 3:31-35 (NIV) 31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. 34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” To end how can we link the core, the center, of Jesus Gospels? Like so “Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” And what is God’s will? “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

[@ateoforever7434]

Francois Morin Sorry, i don't agree...He talks of " love "..? but if you disagree with his will....eternal torture !!

[@superfly2449]

Jesus is real. He was the guy who kept my yard looking good, but he died of covid a couple of years ago.

[@kevinscales]

Seemingly good or demonstrably good? I'm more interested in the latter, what about you?

[@thelordmemnoch]

@crimple7 Even funnier that Christ's miracles cannot be validated. No person today would believe the story of Jesus if it happened today. Would you really believe your daughter if she told you, "Daddy, I am pregnant, but I didn't sleep with anybody. It's god's will". NO! And I will call you a liar to your face if you were to say that you would believe that child. So then I ask you: Why would you believe a story that was told thousands of years ago, and has been passed through generations?

[@Cazador]

@Melchior40 I'm just going to leave your comment the way it is; it's a perfect example of religious thinking. Ad Hom at its finest.

[@TatsujinSan]

I haven't fallen for any traps. My thoughts are my own and I don't take arguments on authority. I believe the existence of god is a possibility but not a god that fits the claims and descriptions of any one religion. Leaving so soon? Right when I asked for proof I see. I'm assuming you're christian but just remember that even if you were able to convince me god existed you would also have to prove that it was your version. The only seed you planted was a headache from reading such illogic.

[@slowflowful]

So your saying since you all have a shared and agreeable framework, which would mean these morales are absolute, yes?

[@MichaelChau-qj3nw]

Religion is just a psychological matter! It is not really so powerful as you thought !

[@Tespri]

@ogirv101 Also there is religions that beleave universe is eternal. Universe covers everything that exists and did exists before.

[@geniusofmozart]

Hitchens is basically correct here. The only 'evidence' that one can possibly acquire for Jesus is from the Bible itself. Now, some may claim that the Gospels are independent. This is highly doubtful, as it is most likely that Matthew and Luke had the Gospel of Mark in front of them when they were writing their own; to cite the Bible as evidence for Jesus is almost tautologial, and is not external evidence at all.

[@richardnewell8478]

From Wikipedia: Non-Christian sources that are used to study and establish the historicity of Jesus include Jewish sources such as Josephus, and Roman sources such as Tacitus. The man bashes the scriptures without understanding.

[@bleirdo_dude]

Ethelbert Stauffer was a professor of New Testament Studies,and director of Ancient History Studies at the University of Bonn Germany.In the 1950's he undertook much research into the relationship between the Roman sources,and early Christianity.He showed that the Easter liturgy does not follow the Gospel,but the funerary ritual of Julius Caesar,and that the Clementia Caesaris was the pre-Christian forerunner of Christ's forgiveness.Christus und die Caesaren,Hamburg 1952

[@Adam-ft7ci]

From what debate is this ? Its so pitty I didnt know CH when he was alive, such a great man.

[@andyng5321]

Vs Dinesh

[@TatsujinSan]

5. If you have anything more to say send me a message.

[@stevendixon5467]

Bibles is like dr sueese

[@TatsujinSan]

You're belittling your own god by insinuating that he can create something which he is displeased with. Being omniscient he would know full well every possible version of every possible reality. Every action and reaction. Everything that can be known. So how can we think that he would design humans knowing full well not only HOW their brains function, but WHAT conclusion and choice every human will ever make and then be displeased with the fact that they do exactly as he has designed.

[@Tespri]

I didn't say it is random force. I said I could have been anything until we actually have some evidence what really did happen. "Think about it, an infinite force, with supreme intelligence, that started the Universe?" Doesn't sound any more logic than pure random force to me. You probadly have heard argument "who then created god" before. Also what we see now... doesn't look like that it is made by supreme intelligence. Remember great amount of religions, condems you if you beleave in false god

[@ScottieWP09]

We are all going to be dust. No one has any proof otherwise. The world will continue just like it has for millions of years. People make up the idea of heaven to comfort themselves. Enjoy your life, for it is precious, and the only one you will get.

[@flymoolahman2763]

You either choose to believe in Jesus Christ, or you do not, simple as that. “Those who are not with me are against me, those who do not gather with me scatter abroad” This man sounds like he is attempting to persuade people into unbelief, and still it’s weak because at the end even he adds doubts into his own argument. I believe in Jesus Christ, I believe in the love he gave and in the resurrection. I believe he is watching over you right now waiting for you to come to him and ask him to help you. Go read the Gospels and see for yourself if you are this deep in, what do you have to lose?

[@L0nn13_c0]

Let's follow what the bible actually says, and I will show the Christian cheering on the torture of Hitchens why you are wrong: 1) Hitchens cannot be in Hell. Judgment Day has not taken place. Revelation 20:12 2) Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Matthew 7:1-3: 3) Questioning your creator is not a sin. Book of Job 4) Nowhere in the bible does it say Satan is in charge of Hell. Hell is place prepared for the Devil and his demons. Matt 25:41 5) You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. Romans 2:1:

[@maflones]

No. Let's send the psychotic people to psychiatric care.

[@TheTREEHOUSE18]

When a person dies they either go to paradise or hell. They await going to lake of fire or heaven. There's a huge gulf between the two. So yes Jesus said to the man on cross next to Him today you will be with me in paradise so they go to either place so yes he will be in torment now. He rejected Jesus.

[@TheTREEHOUSE18]

Lazarus and the rich man in bible also shows this.

[@mtngoatwtb]

@@TheTREEHOUSE18 what is this make-believe you speak of. Is there a single real verified data point to back up this construct you refer to? No, no there isn't. You're just playing make-believe like a child on the playground.

[@bjapan96]

not only a heavy smoker but drinker also! and not to mention his father died of the same exact disease years before so the cancer could well have been genetic

[@TatsujinSan]

I disagree that it is an atheists default position that morality does not exist. It's obvious that the ideas of morality exist the question is whether or not they are correct or absolute. For example is it "wrong" to have sex before marriage? If you're christian you might say, "yes because god has decreed it." but it all comes back to the fact that there is no evidence to suggest that god instructed your morality. If an all-powerful being was opposed to something he would not allow it to occur.

[@SamuraiZero]

Some people say The City Of Nazareth Did Not Exist During The Time Jesus Is Reputed To Have Been Alive.

[@johnpro2847]

Fortunately we do not take their medical advice...

[@TatsujinSan]

If every action you will take is known then it cannot be incorrect, for god had already foreseen everything even prior to creation and has accepted it. Therefor the idea that it could displease him is foolish. For this is what he has CHOSEN to create if you do in fact accept the idea that he is omniscient. There is no right or wrong. Only preference, logic and emotion. I do not kill because logically I see no reason to. Emotionally I am empathetic and would not want it done to me.

[@TatsujinSan]

1. We're BOTH speaking theoretically about the composition and actions/intentions of god. You just think you KNOW what those are. That makes absolutely no sense that I can't call into question the validity of the claimed attribute and what it would mean. I'm not even taking the hypothetical to its farthest point. Which would be, if god is perfect then there is no point for our universe to exist. All knowledge and experience and fulfillment is his. There is nothing for him to need or want.

[@thetruthaboutscienceandgod6921]

Please watch and share with others my four brief videos in which I present examples of scientific facts contained in the Bible, facts that the writers thousands of years ago could not have been aware of without divine knowledge given to them by Jesus Christ / The God of the Bible. And today's scientists agree with those facts!

[@rimbusjift7575]

Quick IQ test... Solve: 4, 5, 14, 185, ...

[@thetruthaboutscienceandgod6921]

@@rimbusjift7575 Hey, Rimbus: You solve it, if you're able. I looked online and it's questionable and some called it silly. Also, the above problem has nothing to do with the scientific facts contained in the Bible. Please address that issue if you can. Thanks, and take care.

[@rimbusjift7575]

@@thetruthaboutscienceandgod6921 There's nothing I love more than the "I looked it up" reply. Fktard, you are an imbecile. I'm not here to debate you, I'm here to point out your intellectual disability.

[@coralarch]

Exodus is a unifying myth, a figurative way of saying that being led out of Egypt with its many gods gave the Israelites the knowledge of the One God and his ten laws, hence freedom from ignorance. That is how I interpret it.

[@dotnetcademy]

It's simple.. He got cancer because his father had cancer too. Or, is it because he is an atheist, as my fellow theist friends are suggesting?

[@RobJohnII]

Matthew 12:24 Out of the mouth, comes the overflow of the heart.

[@Bucketheadhead]

Profound stuff

[@creativewriter3887]

So there's a lot of men with sh-t for heart and brains?... The Wizard of Oz be damned.

[@CaptainLightning1]

I agree with Hitch 99% BUT actually if I was arguing for the pro-Jesus side I would say that the very fact that the resurrected Jesus appeared before a bunch of girls is more probative of the truth. After all if it was a fabrication wouldn't they have had him appear to a group of men, maybe even rabbis?

[@vertsci87]

Hmmm, how about this. You go first and then I'll think about it.

[@vertsci87]

Hitchens is alive. Myself and a group of people saw him walking around. He conquered death, just like Jesus did according to you. Better start praying to Hitchens now.

[@ryanweston9677]

And give 10% of your income in his name 😂

[@tokamax2323]

@CyeOutsider Don't get me wrong; I'm thoroughly atheist. But in what worldview is morality not based on self-interest? Everything we do, we do because it will benefit us in some (if convoluted) way. (pre-edit: I'm willing to consider special cases such as instincts to protect a mother's young, but I can see these being selfish as well. also, I think these are outlying cases). Point is, religion undermines morality in that it often stops critical thinking, and encourages hate-crimes.

[@TatsujinSan]

Christianity already in many ways considers god's thought process to be equal to a humans so we have that contradiction to consider. Either he is free of emotion and is ultra-logical or he has emotions and makes errors in his logic(like a human). Which is it?

[@geniusofmozart]

Furthermore, having read Lee Strobel's 'The Case for Easter', I find the Christian arguments for the Resurrection to be utterly unconvincing, and above all, presumptuous. Moreover, the accounts of the Resurrection came extremely late, and Strobel, along with the Christian scholars that he interviewed, failed to discredit the notion that, over time, fictitious legend of Jesus' Resurrection developed: earlier accounts were still years after, and Chinese Whispers would have certainly occurred.

[@blacky93able]

I am not religious, it is a reality, but I will never doubt the historicity of Jesus, what if I will is his "personification" in the Bible and the Koran. R.I.P. Hitch.

[@Dragonsnack73]

Christianity was an important (and possibly even necessary?) step from the barbarism of the past to get to the freedoms we cherish today. That doesn't mean it's still a good idea to cling to ALL of the ideals and thoughts of Christianity today. That's the point he's making. Just like alchemy also had SOME good ideas and directly inspired Chemistry, if you can follow my train of thought here? :)

[@Bucketheadhead]

The freedoms we have today are thanks to the rejection of the church. The peak of Christianity’s achievements came in the Dark and Middle Ages, with the domination of Europe by the Roman church.

[@CyeOutsider]

@enfynet - Hithins argument is that you can't really be moral when all your good deeds come from the fear that you might go to hell if you're bad. In this sense, religion undermines morality. It turns it into self-interest.

[@flymoolahman2763]

I believe in Jesus Christ, I don’t need to be scared of Hell. I’ll be judged by Jesus Christ before I go anywhere anyways, that’s what I am preparing for

[@ScottieWP09]

As I stated above, please show me some evidence. Anything. A medical article, scientific journal, etc. If you are the one saying something exists or happens compared to nothing, then the onus is on you to provide evidence, not the other way around. How can I prove nothing? It is simply the absence of something.

[@Territomauvais]

@GaiusIuliusTaberna LMAO. Y'all are such goofballs. We're all 'mostly straight' as it were, and Hitchens is certainly the alpha male of our day. If I could even step a toe in his shadow as a grown ass man I would be proud of myself

[@Tespri]

Actually for your religion to be true, your god needs to be true too... so you have to prove that there is god in first place. After that we will move most likely to that, is your God real one? That shouldn't be problem to you or is it? If you are gona now argue should you prove your god to prove your religion... Forget it and start whole debate from: Can you prove is there a god, and then move to can you prove that your religion is true?

[@redshift6743]

Well, this man has such an intellect, that he knows more than the vast majority of biblical scholars. [both theist and non-theist] Carry on simpletons - - carry on.

[@ruetheaterrace8843]

Flavian theory. Read it along Tacitus Histories and what happened during the reign of the 4 emperors and the Jewish war and you may gain an understanding of why Jesus was created by the genius of the Roman Empire to be gave peace in huge empire

[@Tespri]

Says guy who says irrelevant things and also insults people. You don't get it? God is not BASIS OF EVERY RELIGION. There are religions that doesn't beleave in a god. Buddhism for example. Also even if you still insist that every religion is based on god. I can easilly answer to that... They all beleave in different kind of gods. Some beleave that god was a creator, some does not. So prove me that there is a god. In your case God that made everything (since you are christian right?)

[@xomiakas]

@JackKangaroo1 Nice paradox.

[@THEREIZNOGOD]

if he's biased, he's biased towards reason, rationality, and sensibility. you reading his work wouldn't be a waste of money. it would be facing the truth that you can't bear. his anti-theism doesn't define his credibility; his credibility forms his anti-theism. those of us who are on the side of reason DO read the bible and any religious works that we're faced with. we are courteous enough to read the work of opposition and answer it, rather than hide our heads in the sand

[@JackKangaroo1]

@joemoe23 Yes, and, as he has explained many times in public, faith is what one needs in order to believe in something in the absence of any evidence to substantiate the belief. Those who choose not to believe in supernatural beings would prefer to rely upon verifiable realities than upon the hocus-pocus of religious delusion and its non-credible claims of divine intervention.

[@joanwilson8372]

Christopher Hitchens was God himself . He didn't know it. x

[@MyloDude22]

Besides, Hitchens isn't such an egomaniac that he NEEDS followers like your supposed 'loving" God. In fact, Hitchens wouldn't want anybody to "follow" him. He encourages free thought, free discussion and free ideas and doesn't say "you must accept everything I say, OR BURN IN HELL FOREVER!"

[@getvar]

@TheNicomacheanEthics im not sure your mom w'd appriciate this :)

[@MyloDude22]

Is this a serious argument or just a troll? Obvious troll is obvious.

[@dhead64]

Actually that is not quite accurate: Hitchens mocked Christ's followers. Oh, he wrote a bit as well.

[@Tespri]

Blocket you times ago. You were sidetracked to morality. Not me. I didn't even need to define morality in that debate. I think I already said, human morality and compasion comes from instinc and from that that we are social animals. As social animals we can't live without society, and there is needed some rules in society that stops people who are simply insane, from attacking other people inside of society. We are one of the weakest animals that exists ALONE, but in group we are are strong.

[@vertsci87]

Prove it.

[@enfynet]

@CyeOutsider I'm pretty sure the point of Christianity is to suppress self-interest for the good of others. You don't have to be bad to go to hell, and you don't have to be in fear to be good. Don't get me wrong - I enjoy listening to Hitchens. He is a very good speaker, however I do not agree with everything he says.