On the Death of Christopher Hitchens | Douglas Wilson

[@CanonPress]

Hitchens and Wilson's book, "Is Christianity Good for the World?" is available here: canonpress.com/products/is-christianity-good-for-the-world/

[@Kampup]

Douglas Wilson you scumbag! this proves Christopher right "religion makes good people do wicked and disgusting things" what a lowlife thing to say... DIRT!

[@TheCruiseDog]

For all the bad comments here, nobody commenting knew Hitchens personally or for so long as Wilson. They were friends. They had respect for each other and their intellects. Wilson is expressing his grief that he couldn't flip Hitchens. The death of Hitchens is sobering and is a time for reflection. That is all Wilson is saying.

[@englishmansjournal2071]

Many people knew Hitchens far longer than your bosom buddy Doug. He said what he said, gleefully worked for Satan, and will be judged at the time it happens.

[@broheme8922]

Bull. That is NOT all Wilson is saying. He is arguing against Hitchens and everything he believed without fear of a counterargument. And to open his comments stating Christopher has gone to see the Lord -- knowing how Hitchens spent the last years of his life -- is anything but respectful.

[@TheCruiseDog]

@@broheme8922 You obviously have not seen all the videos they shot together as they debated across the country. These two men were good friends and respected each other greatly. That is why they got along so well. When Wilson says that Hitchens has gone to see the Lord, he is only stating what is true (from his perspective) about the Christian doctrines regarding the afterlife. Every person will stand before God and give account for his life - the believer and unbeliever. He is not stating it for arguments sake, but stating it out deep grief knowing that Hitchen's refused to believe. Watch their videos together to better understand where Wilson is coming from. Hitchens would have disagreed with Wilson, but appreciated and understood Wilson's concern. They were that close.

[@broheme8922]

@@TheCruiseDog I've seen dozens and dozens of Hitchens videos consisting of many hours of debate - both with and without Wilson. Hitchens may have respected Wilson in some ways, but he irrefutably did NOT respect his arguments regarding the existence of god or an afterlife (no thinking person could). And of course Wilson was stating Christian doctrine. And of course it shows a lack of respect that the first words out of his mouth were a restatement of this doctrine, knowing Hitchens as well as he did. (BTW, it's also Christian doctrine that Hitchens will spend eternity in pain and suffering.)

[@TheCruiseDog]

@@broheme8922 These men respected each other very much despite their beliefs. They respected the intellect of each other in classical history and literature. Again, I refer you to their travels together across the country as they are shown sharing rides, meals, drinking beers in pubs, and discussing the great philosophers off the stage in the behind the scenes documentary. Please know, it was Hitchens who invited Doug to debate, as I recall, because of the great intellect that he exhibited in a letter to Hitchens. WIlson is not putting forth an argument to anyone, but simply stating his beliefs, again, with grief. Regarding "hell" as a Christian doctrine as an eternity of pain and suffering, please know that is just one interpretation to this sort of escatology within the faith. It is a holdover from Roman Catholism. There is also anhilhism and conditional immortality. These are both biblically based alternatives which hold more evidence. That debate is current among theologians and Bible scholars today. I encourage you to investigate that if you are interested. But, I do not agree with your assesment of Wilson's comments as disrespectful. Wilson is sad because he has lost a friend. There is no joy for him that a respected challenger of his is dead. He says that. He is mourning because he could not convince his friend of metaphysical realities, specifically the existence of God.

[@dukewinna6731]

It's obvious Wilson loved Hitchens and from what I've read in articals and viewing the documentary,Christopher Hitchens felt the same way about Wilson.

[@MarkCox21125150]

Quite true.

[@kamilbro6106]

Not a secret anymore >.>

[@squigglyline2813]

That surprises me, Hitchens always seemed miserable whenever I saw him open his mouth.

[@DM-dk7js]

@@squigglyline2813 easily one of the smartest most educated men to ever live.

[@jaycbattle]

So smart that he made a career out of denying God’s existence….pretty smart

[@winstonsmith1555]

C'mon, folks. Any reasonable person loved Christopher Hitchens, even Christians. I certainly did, and Douglas Wilson did too, definitely more than me. The men were friends. But we can't just say that if a person is a Christian he ought not to act as a Christian at all times. The problem with saying that Doug is being disrespectful by giving a Christian view of Hitchens' death assumes postmodernism. That is, no real Christian holds Christianity to be "true for me," or "my personal belief." No, even if it is their personal belief, they hold it to be true for everyone. So do atheists. And why shouldn't they? That is the very nature of truth. So I understand the offence. Christianity is an offensive religion, always has been, always will be, we expect it. But please, don't think any Christian intends a "low blow" by merely acting on what they dearly believe to be true. In reality, we see in death, especially of such a great man as Christopher Hitchens, a reminder of our own mortality, our own weakness as a result of our separation from God by evil deeds, and in that desire people to search deeply within their hearts and souls and come to an understanding that this life is not all there is, that there is justice, and that there is also mercy in the death and resurrection of Jesus the Jewish Messiah.

[@nocuriouscats8550]

I didn’t even have to keep reading after a your first sentences lol. That guy was probably a reprobate the way he constantly just denied blatant undeniable facts. Do you know how many souls he has probably lead to hell?

[@atheistyoda8915]

@@nocuriouscats8550 What hell? Also, what soul?

[@nocuriouscats8550]

@@atheistyoda8915 atheist?? By your laws of logic and physics you are held by a limited standard that would disable you from understanding the true rules that explain “hell” and “soul”

[@jfabiani]

@@nocuriouscats8550 Oh you theists and your imaginations. Always on about the dead souls and the unborn. And Hitchens leading souls to Hell? You think him nothing more than the Devil himself? And your also believe god a tyrant who will torture for eternity for....get this....agreeing with Hitchens.

[@nocuriouscats8550]

@@jfabiani Tyrant blah blah yet you’d be the first to throw a rapist in jail or a traitor on the execution block. He is JUSTICE AND JUDGEMENT guy... he’s giving out DESERVED punishment by the book

[@ctaylor6794]

I am an atheist and even, as Hitch would describe himself, an anti-theist. I don't, however, understand why people commenting think it is necessary for such aggressive hate. Hitchen's was able to respect this man and become friends with him despite their fundamental differences in their beliefs (or lack thereof). I agree peoples comments saying this man is quite thick, but, some of the comments, about him and Christians in general, are really quite unnecessary.

[@hotrodchriscam8198]

I am a Christian and I very much respect Doug Wilson, so you would consider me hard line and I would appreciate that. I actually liked Hitchens even though he spoke against Jesus Jesus Christ. I respect that he was willing to engage Christian apologists and I really respected that. My heart breaks for him deeply, I find no joy in this at all.

[@BROTHERJONATHANBURG]

BELIEVING and CONFESSING FATHER JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD & SAVIOUR IS ONLY A BEGINNING. REPENT & BE BAPTIZED EVERYONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST!! AND FEAR NOT.....HOLY JESUS STRIPES HEALS AND PROTECTS ALL!! OUR PART IS TO OBEY HIS HOLY WRIT BY OBEYING ACTS 2 38 - AND ALL HIS WORD AS LED BY FATHER GOD HOLY JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF THE ONE TRUE GOD ALL BY HIMSELF! NOT JUST ACKNOWLEDGING AND CONFESSING HIS HOLY ONENESS DEITY..... even satan and all his demons do that! FATHER JESUS HAS BECKONED THEE TO GO THE FIRST MILE......NOW FULFILL THE 2ND MILE....... OBEY ACTS 2 38 .....REPENT & BE BAPTIZED EVERYONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST!! AND BEYOND ALL THAT AS HE IS SOUGHT OF PRAYERFUL YOU..... AS THOU PRAYERFULLY SEEKING HIM WITH THINE WHOLE HEART...... EARNESTLY SO..... FULLY SO.....UNTO ZEALOUS HOLY JESUS NAME SALVATION..... AND BEYOND UNTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD..... H O L Y S A L V A T I O N!!!!! FATHER JESUS BLESS AND KEEP THEE OBEDIENT SAVED AND WISE AS HE WILLS WISELY SO!!

[@jakearmitage7811]

So what? Hitchens made a career out of being aggressively hateful towards those he didn't agree with whether they were dead or alive, some people may come on here and show respect some wont, that's life deal with it!

[@justanoob111]

so what if you're an atheist.

[@ezassegai4793]

light has no fellowship with darkness. The Bible prohibits being "friends" with those who openly hate God.

[@ChristopherIanMacfarlane]

I'm a Christian who definitely mourned his death. Had listened to him here and there and had grown fond of him. It was a sad, sad day.

[@englishmansjournal2071]

Nothing to mourn, other than the waste of a life. He chose his life, and will receive his judgement.

[@ChristopherIanMacfarlane]

@@englishmansjournal2071 I listened to him a lot and had grown a fondness for him. I would mourn anyone I was fond of or close to, regardless of their worldview. In fact, his death as an unbeliever is great cause for mourning.

[@sparkymmilarky]

@@englishmansjournal2071 you don't know that you shallow and empty peon.

[@michaelmuller159]

​@@englishmansjournal2071Again another person believing something without any shred of evidence thinking they know it without knowing anything.

[@cgarv101]

@@michaelmuller159 More disturbing is the cold, almost craven desire to 'see' the suffering he pronounces, can be felt in the comment itself.

[@jayslinger686]

Hitchens wasn't worried about 'flipping' or 'letting the infidel team down' - he was worried that anything he may have said in a stuporous state (as a result of his physical and resultant potential mental decline from his illness) would be misinterpreted by overtly optimistic believers as what said believers would wish to hear. Unfortunately this reflection effectively validates Hitchens' concerns. If a person wants to believe something, they will. This is a central tenet of the religious psychology.

[@mikeyandalyssab4782]

Exactly. Hitchens said that if anyone claimed that he 'flipped' then it would mean the cancer had gone to his brain and he was not thinking clearly... that the mind of Hitch would be gone. We miss you Hitch! And his wife was with him in the end and said he never changed his position.

[@jfabiani]

Well said. Pretty obvious. HItchens was worried that theists would do exactly what Wilson did.

[@swalter718]

I'm an atheist who watched and enjoyed the "Collision" documentary. Of all the theists I've seen Hitchens debate, Doug Wilson was, by far, the most sincere and impressive. Ultimately, I wasn't swayed by his arguments, but I respect his convictions and think this video demonstrates that there are truly good people on both sides of the isle.

[@mitchelll3879]

Ur not an atheist..ur a believer who just hadn't found the truth..no one is an atheist

[@adrianpasillas3832]

But you will be a theist the moment after your death...because you will see Him, inescapably...

[@Alberttheliving]

“Atheist” isn’t a possible position. It’s just not possible. You can be an enemy of God though.

[@harekrishna507]

Nice. I was thinking if God is real do you think Atheist still play a role in the coming to know God? Also if you redefined God as the sheer wonder and awesomeness of the cosmos and mystery of life as it is being unraveled by science at the moment. Do you think an Atheist would fall in that category. And if so then we all agree then, it becomes the same feeling or outlook to life and the cosmos as just a sheer wonder? In that way its pretty much the same outlook I have and pretty sure most have of the world, some may conclude God from that others may not but we all agree on just its wonder. I tend to believe God because of that, but before I did not. Either way we would agree on it's awe. Personally I don't think anyone can definitively prove God, or atleast prove God through our normal ways of matetial science and I don't think the point or purpose of life is to prove God. Maybe science could indicate but not without a doubt prove. Because ultimatley I don't think its just about proof, life is not about proving your existence its about being life... so all these debates are great philosophically but ultimately its your life that matters and is what connects you to God and thats not something you prove. Lifes about alot of things and guess why people put faith in the unknown or God or divine purpose to guide them. I mean everyone is free to their own life offcourse its just my philosophy after watching 100hrs of debates. The truth reveals its self either way, its what deaths is.... thats my world view anyway, I would try my best to respect all world views even if I don't agree with them. We are limited beings so logically we can't know everything, maybe thats one of the lessons of life that we humble ourselves to the awe and mystery of not knowing and having love, compassion and faith, that is what truly matters and is important to our being here.

[@MacLaw3084]

@@mitchelll3879wrong. Many people do not believe that any god(s) exist.

[@gordontubbs]

So, here's a summary of comments before you read any further: basically a bunch of Hitchens fans are uptight about Doug Wilson saying Christopher Hitchens has "went to meet the Lord". This was not intended as a besmirching insult. If you read his obituary (which I doubt many commenters actually did), you would not be so insulted on Hitchen's behalf, rather, you would understand that Doug is continuing the same line of reasoning and dialogue he had with Hitchens when they debated together (both in prose and in public). How can you get insulted at somebody who speaks what they believe? Doug then goes on to warn about hardliner Christians making eternal judgments over people despite their public attestations of faith and spirituality (or lack thereof). Rather, when somebody dies "we are confronted with our own mortality" and the possibility that we too might meet God, who is full of grace and justice. As another commenter said below (differently), if Heaven is real, Hitchens will likely be spending enternity debating with Saint Peter rather than roasting in Hell. If Heaven is not real, does it even matter if Doug Wilson said the things he did?

[@tonythegeek]

that is just so true!

[@redpillpusher]

+Gordon Tubbs blah blah blah you're just espousing more of the same christian apologetic rhetoric that CH despised.

[@gordontubbs]

Then what would you prefer a Christian to say, in the case of a friend passing away as Doug has so reflected on at the loss of Hitchens?

[@troyroebuck36]

+Gordon Tubbs I honestly think it's ridiculous to start comments like this, but I am atheist. And I can say I lean more towards anti-theism but tend to be more restrained, more out of necessity. But this is ridiculous. To be upset about this? What do you expect a christian to say? This is very typical and should be immediately expected due to how this person is. *Not* out of being an asshole. If he was intending to come out like that and be in horribly bad taste to sort of give the "last word" so to speak *after* someone has died, then that would _not_ be what he'd say. He was being respectful based from the way he lives _his life_. Just because someone else would choose different words doesn't take away from the sentiment. He's not going to remove him sincerely self from his own beliefs _now_ after all this, _exactly_ like he says in his own words. *Now*.. In saying that, I think it *is* a bit in bad taste to go on in the end about asserting his position as absolutely positive. It seems like an underhanded way of saying "You're dead now so you see *I'm right*." Which _very unfortunately_ tends to be an extremely common thing across christianity. (And I would assume other religions but have not heard that specifically.) Am I saying he was intending to be an ass at that point? Not necessarily. But I do think he should've shown some restraint here and not slid all of that into a video on Hitchen's death. There's many other places where that is totally okay and you won't come off as offensive. But here, whether it's intended or not I can't say, but it definitely does not come off as polite and follows along the lines of what many other christians do, especially here in the bible belt, with getting cocky and saying essentially "Ha! He's dead now. He gets to reap his reward and see *I'm* right." I wouldn't dare do that towards any other person regardless of their beliefs. I feel it's very vicious to even insinuate that not only has someone millions of people love has gone through a long horrible battle with cancer and died as a result of it, _and now_ they're *also* in ceaseless eternal torment being tortured forever. *But*, keeping in mind with my first paragraph, this is how this man lives his life. I personally would remove myself from my beliefs for this moment as I feel it's in very bad taste not to considering it's well known that there's disagreement, seeing as in example here, it's very easy to be sentimental and say too much. Still, I think for the most part his heart was in the right place and that's what mainly matters here. I think that a *very select amount* of christians would support him if he were do the opposite here. There would be a massive amount of backlash and only the extreme would agree that that's right.

[@gordontubbs]

Troy Roebuck Thanks for your thoughts, they are well founded. I think the strong points are that if Doug Wilson actually said something blatantly offensive to demagogue Hitchens, it would have been really obvious and there would have been atheists and Christians calling him an asshole... but my thoughts is that *just* atheistic/agnostic fans of Hitchens are calling Doug an asshole, which is probably an ignorant opinion. After watching a Hitchens vs Wilson debate, reading Wilson's obituary, and also watching "Collision" (the documentary about their debates), you can see a great deal of rapport between the two men. Both of them would dare to say they were "friends". Consider if the situation was reversed. What if Wilson died and Hitchens was giving an obituary? Chances are, Hitchens would probably say something secular and kind, which is exactly what you would expect him to say. There's really no reason then to call Doug Wilson an asshole. If so, then everyone is an asshole for saying anything about anyone in an obituary if they reflect upon their own spiritual beliefs to reconcile the loss.

[@hymmofsilence]

Some of your comments are way out of line. Doug Wilson is a good person and deserves respect. He was a good friend to Hitch and Hitch liked him. So back off.

[@wymanrtaylor]

As a fairly new Christian, learning all the Doug Wilson lore has been fascinating

[@Peacepal32]

also a fairly new Christian !!

[@Stanzi18]

Have y'all watched the collision documentary? It's about the debates between these two men. Very very good.

[@jeremyhere2002]

Douglas was, in my opinion, Hitchen's most formidable debate adversary.

[@grizzybear9111]

You believe in a man made book that's just mythology wake up man its bs

[@grizzybear9111]

@@jeremyhere2002 lol not even close

[@paulpascoe663]

Christopher wasn't worried about 'flipping', he was worried about religious people lying about him doing so to further their own agenda.

[@SaltyApologist]

Christian people have a good idea where he is. And it saddens us greatly. We hope and pray that quietly and on his own Christopher confessed his savior, but we won’t know until the judgement.

[@Tiger66261]

I wonder what Hitchens would think if he saw this. I doubt he'd want anything to do with Douglas after all the words he said in this video - some of the stuff was just blatantly insensitive. The real kicker? Douglas probably thinks what he's said in this video was humble and good, a fitting tribute to hitchens. What a disgrace.

[@sayitwithyourchest3944]

Tiger66261 So Wilson being true to his beliefs is a disgrace, but an atheist staying true to theirs is not a disgrace? A bit one sided if you are a true intellect.

[@invisy813]

Mistah Kelly No, wilson was flat out lying when he said hitchens was having doubts in his convictions in the face of his death by saying not to believe it if people claimed he had a deathbed conversion. There is no way Wilson even remotely thought hitchens was that weak. It's slanderous and pathetic.

[@mchristr]

Wilson said nothing "slanderous" about Hitchens. In fact it's just the opposite. Wilson openly acknowledges Hitchens' convictions and resists the temptation to believe that he repented on his deathbed.

[@TJmusic24]

Invisy B he didn’t say hitchens had doubts he’s said “publicly.. worried about it”, which he did say in his interview I believe with cooper he didn’t want anyone to say he converted that if you heard it, that it prob wouldn’t be true... that’s what Wilson was saying, that Wilson himself should double down on his beliefs that “tender hearted Christians” can somehow believe he did convert or got in by prayer or what have you. I think you might be picking up on the phrase he used “at the very least it tells us is hat Christopher Hitchens was worried about it” I think that was a bad choice of words, it’s sounds like he’s implying something else there. He then next followed it up immediately with “letting the infidel team down” Wilson was talking within Hitchens’ context there. I’m not even a Wilson fan, I’m a hitchens fan, I’m just saying it how it is.

[@ChristIsOurLord777]

@@TJmusic24 Cheers to you TJmusic24! I think that the relationship they had was more honest and, at the same time more respectable, than many interactions between atheists and christians. Even though I'm on the other side of the fence than you, it's nice to see someone acknowledging the, almost unheard of, respect these guys had for each other.

[@harryrandle-marsh4363]

There is no way on this earth that Christopher Hitchens was nervous or faltering on his atheist standpoint towards the end and frankly it's quite an insult that anyone would believe that he would undo his many years of inspired thinking and great work because of this.

[@billyodonoghue1011]

Thanks for writing this for me 👍

[@ZephaniahL]

The United Kingdom is Islamizing regardless of his efforts -- why don't you keep your eye on the ball and recognize where real threats lie.

[@plasticmoon222]

Hitchens had no faith Faith is the requirement for salvation,,NO faith ,,,No salvation...But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father .. Matthew 10:33,,he is in the now in the lower part of the Hadean Realm Torrment) NOT the upper half (Paradise) and when Jesus returns he will go the the permanent Hell

[@harryrandle-marsh4363]

@@plasticmoon222 good that you have such insider knowledge on the beyond. When people go from the hadean realm to permanent hell is there a queue sort of system or those numbered paper tickets you get at the deli?

[@plasticmoon222]

@@harryrandle-marsh4363 I dont guess or speculate anything,,,I strictly go by Bible Scripture.God is not confined to time,,He already knew where Hitchen was going before he passed away,,,you probably never studied the Bible and have no faith thats why you idolized people like Hitchens.There will be no excuse for ignorance on judgement day.

[@LeninChampionedUkraine]

Hitchens wasn’t nervous about switching at the end. He was worried about false rumors going around that he had done that. Suggesting he was hedging his bets towards us how rumors like these get started, and often by “men of god.”

[@AntiFascist2011]

I was an atheist myself! I've read thousands of books! I've read Hobbes, Hume, Voltaire, Marx, Nietzsche, Russell and all the others. It was because I was so rational and skeptical, that I wasn't entirely convinced by Atheism. So I carried on reading and finally realized that the Christian faith is the most rational worldview. Atheism is ridiculous as Nietzsche realized, hence his descent into madness. Try reading Kierkegaard, Kant, Dostoevsky, Plantinga. Open your eyes to the truth!

[@parker5944]

I’d love to have a conversation with you if I can!

[@andresdubon2608]

That's almost literally impossible.

[@SA_SovereigntyForPatriots]

Yes, whilst I don’t agree with you 💯, I do agree that Atheists have a problem accepting that rationality and reason is limited much like all our senses are. How can anyone really create an absolute worldview if our reasoning capacity and our senses have been proven scientifically to be limited.

[@andresdubon2608]

@@SA_SovereigntyForPatriots Indeed, due to our capabilities being limited we have more than philosophers. That's why we need and utilize science and observation. You don't armchair your way to the universe's description, you dive into physics and it's fundamental laws. Until this moment in time, there's not one piece of the universe that we know of that scape logical inquiry. There might come a time where we reach a phenomenon which breaks our understanding of all logical consistency, but until then, there's no point considering meta-logical realities.

[@justAlex702]

Cool story. Now go partake in a single ayahuasca experience. For certain you'll benefit worlds more out of that than any book can offer. I dare you

[@jayfrei]

Well said by Doug, a man who knew Hitchens well and became friends with him. It’s sad so many of these comments are worded so strongly when they know neither of these men.

[@MarkCox21125150]

Thank you, Doug Wilson, for your longstanding biblical faithfulness.

[@JeffreyIsbell]

Hitch saw so many christians claim that atheists either were christians or accepted christianity at the very end that he was concerned about false claims about him. I have that same fear and am forced to take steps even now to make sure that my family isn't misled at the end. It is one of many concerns atheists have - that they shouldn't have to have, and that motivates us to speak out honestly about the lack of belief that brings us few friends and not just a few enemies.

[@DosBear]

I totally miss Christopher Hitchens and, like him, I am an Atheist as well. I may not have agreed with him politically but with regards to Religion I could totally relate to his views on the subject. To each their own I always say. I'm sure he would have appreciated the kind thoughts so many had for him upon his passing. May we all be so fortunate.

[@devodell]

Hitch was not "nervous" that he might, on his death bed,recant. He merely worried that when he was no longer in possession of his faculties, out of his right mind with pain, and therefore no longer Hitch, that he could mumble or ramble things that could be used to denigrate his entire life of reason, logic and nobility. And unreasonable, illogical and patently dishonest and ignoble is what Doug Wilson is , trying here to do just what Hitch worried about.

[@infinightsky]

Very respectful way to say goodbye to his friend. Nice video.

[@ezassegai4793]

friend? no such thing as antichristian friends for christians. light has no fellowship with darkness

[@jfabiani]

Dude failed him in the first sentence. And then he mischaracterized Hitch as being "concerned about the possibility of him flipping" when what concerned hitch was theists lying about his views in the wake of his death.

[@repentorperish1386]

@@ezassegai4793 are you a believer? If so, the bible says to love your neighbor and does not make the distinction between believer and unbeliever in that love.

[@williamjoyce4313]

@@jfabiani I wouldn't consider that a mischaracterization. As a huge fan of Hitchens, I remember in the lead up to his death that he did mention his fear that he might profess a belief in God in his final moments, as he would be in a weakened state, fearful of death, and not at his right mind. Hitchens asked that we disregard any such statements if he did make them, but Wilson is viewing this comment by Hitchens in the way that a believing Christian would naturally view it. And Wilson talking about Hitchens meeting the lord isn't failing him in any way. It's Wilson staying true to the qualities that led to their mutual respect in the first place. Hitchens constantly debated Christians who lied to themselves and others about the nature of the Bible, and Wilson was an honest Christian who unflinchingly accepted the implications of the Bible and preached the Christian faith without apology. If Wilson said anything but, "Hitchens is meeting God, and unfortunately is likely suffering damnation", then that would be him failing Hitchens. It would be betraying the good faith and honesty that was the basis of their friendship.

[@jfabiani]

@@williamjoyce4313 You're going to have to cite your sause, because I recall him adamant that any such claim should be viewed as a lie or delusion. We do know Hitchens suffered no such delusion which leaves us only with Wilson's lie.

[@luccascappini4491]

Speak the truth even if your voice shakes. Speak the gospel

[@yeshuaneitheristheresalvat8018]

He blasphemed Christ to the end. The Lord says as He did to Samuel about Saul, "FORGET him!"

[@ampatau9092]

Doug Wilson, trying to score cheap points against a man, when he could never do so when that man was alive. Trying to infer that Hitchens was unsure or had even changed his mind in regards to the possibility of a God in his last days, smacks of self serving and desperation on Wilson's part. I would rather be in your imaginary Hell with Hitch than spend an eternity with two faced, self satisfied apologists in your imaginary Heaven.

[@markhanson5788]

Did you actually listen to the video? Wilson assumed that Hitchens died as he had lived, and cautioned Christians against trying to retroactively convert him.

[@alessioandreoli2145]

It is incredible how Hitchens kept winning debates even after his death. I wish that at least in the sad moment of his passing, they wouldn't have called him atheist. A great human who believed in human conversation. We'll never forget him.

[@sawyer7as]

Winning? lol. lmao even. All rhetoric, 0 logic, never answered the moral question without circularity. No one has. Hume stands unequaled, Qwine stands correct as well.

[@joshjackson678]

@@sawyer7as sad, you'd rather believe than know. Hitchens was on your side, tho you'll prolly never know

[@Nicksonian]

What’s wrong with being called an atheist?

[@alessioandreoli2145]

@@Nicksonian , it doesn't really mean anything. Atheist is a greek construction of the words Alpha and Theist which means without a God. We all are without something but we don't necessarily need a name for it. You probably don't believe in fairies, but you are not called afairist or similar. Atheist was just another attempt from the church to put any non-believer in a separate class so to better be cast away.

[@alessioandreoli2145]

@@sawyer7as , if you don't understand Hitchens you can't judge him. Read him more.

[@skeptic_al]

Hitch was concerned dishonest Christians would CLAIM he cried out for a god he definitely didn’t believe in. He had no fear of his own convictions.

[@NunsAllowed]

Christopher Hitchens is not dead. I see him on KZbin everyday.

[@matthiasbates9660]

He's dead.

[@TheCruiseDog]

NunsAllowed. Not only are you a fool, you're not even funny.

[@foddyfoddy]

Matthias Bates Oh dear, looks like you completely missed the point!

[@foddyfoddy]

dennis Another person who completely missed the point.

[@no1shere710]

If Christopher Hitchens was his friend as he implies then why couldn't he show his humanity and vulnerability by saying something like "Christopher Hitchens was a brilliant, passionate man. He was my friend and I will miss him very much" and leave it at that. But no, he has to take the only opportunity that he'll ever get to best him in a debate. What he says here is not only disrespectful but utterly cowardly. Hitchens would have skewered him as he always did in past encounters. Oh, and might I add "hypocritical" as he says "Christopher is with the lord". Wasn't it his position that all atheists go to hell?

[@marilynbeckett6747]

Right ON with this comment 👍👍👍

[@objectiveincision3970]

Hitchen's latest publication from beyond the grave:- *Meeting God Is Not Great!* 😅

[@wheredidileavemycell]

Thank you Mr. Hitchens, you will be missed. You strengthened my faith more than you ever know. God bless you, my friend.

[@donnadeau7619]

How did Hitchens strengthened your faith? Saying 'God bless you' to an atheist is very condescending, my friend. Learn to politely acknowledge ' instead of stoning.

[@masterofnone8400]

He made me an atheist. I'd love to know how he strengthend your faith

[@sillyman7875]

@@masterofnone8400 He strengthened my faith as well. I respected Hitchens because he was intelligent and used his intelligence to test and reason for his beliefs. However, no matter his intellect, Hitchens could never get past the moral argument and ethics of his lack of belief. As Wilson liked to ask, "by what standard" is Hitchen's morality comparable to Christianity, if not borrowing from Christian morality itself? After all, atheism cannot account for the unreasonable actions that human beings take to do moral things. Atheism cannot account for anything outside of the material and scientific world.

[@masterofnone8400]

@@sillyman7875 then it begs the question as to how people were moral before Christianity

[@sillyman7875]

@@masterofnone8400 Ever heard of the Old Testament?

[@Thagomizer]

After reading these comments, I have to say that Christopher Hitchens' fans make life less worth living. I'd rather he were still alive than they.

[@masterofnone8400]

I wonder what is more important to christians: getting the satisfaction of a man with an honest disagreement finally admit that we were right all along,, or let a man die with his integrity intact and without betraying the principles of a lifetime?? 🤔🤔🤔

[@LucaHulot]

one thing is sure. we miss hitchens. :(

[@SideBerner]

" If I convert its because its better a believer dies than an atheist." Christopher Hitchens

[@jesuschristsaves9067]

Sideburner He’d still be an unbeliever

[@360escapades]

We cant say hes in Heaven or hell but he will have 1 more chance to realize God exsist.

[@BloggerMusicMan]

Hitchens admired and debated a lot with Douglas Wilson. There's a good documentary about their debates and their friendship relating to the publishing of their email exchanges (Is Christianity Good for the World?). I particularly love the scene where they pass PG Wodehouse quotes back and forth while laughing hysterically. I think he has a right to call Hitchens his friend.

[@coronaphone710]

I can't imagine after watching a lot of hours of Christopher Hitchens videos, and still believe he had christian friends

[@robertroberts9657]

Doug Wilson, when you see and listen to him for the first 10 seconds, comes of as this nice, the man next door, kind of guy. Then you're mildly taken aback by what he says; about 30 seconds in, and from that point forward, you realize he's delusional or borderline insane. This epitaph speech he makes, is cheap, fear-based, and above all, an insult to Hitchens, masquerading as humility.

[@Joshua-se4qp]

He's only speaking the truth, he didn't make this stuff up

[@davidmcneill6239]

He's just talking from normal Christian belief. The fakeness of your outrage is obvious.

[@myrealnameisjohndoe116]

As a bit of a new Christian, who came from the world of leftism, I find it amazing seeing the kind of friendship Wilson and Hitchens had with one another despite their radically different worldviews.

[@barlart]

I think Doug Wilson did a very good job of that when one considers the context of what he was saying. I'm as atheist as the Hitch was but if a christian clergyman were to speak of me after (from my perspective) I had returned to oblivion, I would want him to speak honestly, not with weasel words.

[@mitchelll3879]

Ur not an atheist, and neither is anyone else..ur just a lost believer who hasn't found the truth

[@gor265]

If there is a god, I'd say Hitchens is sitting with Him right now in deep discussion. Hitchens was one of His greatest ever creations. A truly gifted intellect, the Hitch had unsurpassed subject matter knowledge, and his reasoning & logic was utterly devastating in debate. He is greatly missed.

[@pamdelaney5149]

There is a God and one day, too, your knee will bend and your mouth will confess that Christ Jesus is Lord. I hope that you do this before you get on the other side of the soil. If you REALLY want to know if there is a God...then you need to humble yourself and ask sincerely and He will indeed answer you. You see, sir, God is sovereign and holy. It is written that the beginning of wisdom starts with the fear of the Lord. God does not and will never tolerate a speck of sin. We would all be forever separated from God because of our sin, except that God came down in the flesh as Christ Jesus and took upon Himself all of your transgressions. You too can have eternal life if you give up your pride, humble yourself and call on Him to save you and trust in His finished work on the cross with subsequent resurrection. If you refuse. You will spend go to a place that is without God and will eventually die the second death. You see, being a Christian does not ever make us better than anyone else. In fact, we know we have sinned and we too need a savior, Christ Jesus. You too can have this gift of grace from God. A gift we don't deserve,. A gift we can never earn. Much love to you!

[@burneydburney]

gor265 Very well said.❤️

[@Benjaminsp2004]

Pam Delaney I've tried that. It doesn't work.

[@matthiasbates9660]

"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness." -1 Corinthians 3:19 (KJV)

[@timithypirie1]

There is a God

[@pedrosura]

Atheists do not hate God, that is absurd. We hate the desire of humans to be slaves of supernatural beings. We hate the wish to be slaves. Of course we do not hate dragons, darth vader, the tooth fairy or god. That is crazy. They all belong together. It is hard for a "god a fearing christian" to imagine someone who is not brainwashed into fear. But here we are. No heaven, no hell, no afterlife . We live a finite life which we want to live to the fullest but someday it will end. Like Mr. Hitchens very well said, we can be acused of many things except wishful thinking. That is your job christians.

[@ABDUL365ful]

+pedrosura We couldn't possibly hate someone whose existence is as unlikely as the "moon and sea splitting and ark that survived a flood that never happened" stories mentioned in the holy books. :)

[@marcoarsenault2376]

Christopher met the lord and hitchslapped him.

[@GeneralGhost]

Well said.

[@bowrudder899]

Wishful thinking.

[@uyuyuy99]

​@@bowrudder899 It's a joke you mo-mo. Loving the Stalin halo profile pic tho 👌😇👍

[@bowrudder899]

Thanks for noticing the thumbnail. I love it too. Can you believe it? Someone actually painted an icon with Stalin in it.

[@uyuyuy99]

@@bowrudder899 Sadly I can believe it

[@stevenrogersfineart4224]

The thief on the cross not only had the Old Testsment his entire life, he also lived in the time when Jesus was working miracles and spreading the Gospel. However, the thief must have been caught up in his own issues to acknowledge the faith. HOWEVER, when faced with Jesus being beside him on the cross, he repented and knew that Jesus was who He said He was. Let's hope that Hitchens was THAT kind of thief :) ❤️

[@shanecook3250]

I can promise you your poultry god would not be the one the great Christopher would turn too.

[@jamming8519]

he went to meet the lord? How do you know?

[@MrJohnybirchall]

I loved the respect they both had for each other. It’s a great lesson to learn off.

[@mr.wrongthink.1325]

Crap. There is no lord. At least not the one you pretend to know which one it is. The guy seem to be happy, happy, that Hitch died. This is low.

[@2011mavsftw]

I bet no one here knows that Hitchens only put on an act in front of the cameras. If any of you had only seen how much he hated life you might think of him a little differently. Who he was off camera and on were two completely different people. Believe it or not he and Wilson actually respected each other and were friends

[@TriStar44]

Dislike.

[@TriStar44]

I unequivocally agree. To release a blasphemous video like this, *after* the death of the great Christopher Hitchens, epitomizes cowardice. Surely Doug Wilson knew that the only way he could ever hope to get a leg up on Hitch was after his death. In the words of the late/great Hitchens himself, "it's a shame that there isn't a hell for him to go to."

[@DaveyKrechtner]

TriStar Do you even know what blasphemous means you misguided fool?

[@flopperdilly9]

DaveyKrechtner Do you? It could've been used in the sense that Hitchens was a "God" of sorts or that he was held sacred to the many who followed him.

[@ZiplineShazam]

Heaven and Hell. Stories used to entice or scare people into keeping the money coming in every sunday morning.

[@Bgtrfvcde]

What a self-righteous hypocrite. You’re sitting here and judging, and then criticizing others for judging. You’re confirming everything Hitchens said.

[@Watchiratzuu]

Why is everyone saying he is disgusting? This is exactly what I would expect him to say. He is a christian lol you all know what he belives

[@Mysteryskatin]

Yes, but if an atheist has a Christian friend who passes away, the atheist would never tell his family or publicly claim that he is not going to heaven and will soon be worm food, as the atheist would obviously believe. It's called respect.

[@hjones5072]

First, Wilson did not communicate the linguistic equivalence of 'he is now worm food'. That's a caricature.Second, any atheist could be respectful and share what he believes happened with his friend, e.g. he's just gone and I'm going to miss him.Third, you speak as if you know there is no atheist who would ever say something so as rude as you suggest? Bullshit. Atheists and agnostics tend to be extremely rude to all religious people. I've seen it many times, not just on YT where you probably live.Fourth, all one needs to refute your omniscient claim about all atheists is to cite one counter example: I've heard more than one atheist publicly say of Christians that they knew that the Christians were simply dead (and not in heaven).

[@Mysteryskatin]

H Jones No, Wilson implies that Hitchens, a non-believer, is destined for hell. Which is exponentially worse than being worm food. Of course we think all Christians are dead and that there is no life after this one. How is that the moral equivalent of telling people that if they do not worship their god, they'll spend an eternity getting tortured after they die? If Wilson had passed and Hitchens had lived, do you think Hitchens - in his response to the sad passing of Wilson - would say that Wilson was in the ground being eaten by insects and that the human soul doesn't exist? Obviously not. But it's perfectly acceptable for a Christian to claim to know that an atheist is headed for hell directly after his passing.

[@hjones5072]

Mysteryskatin- I think you need to calm down little fundie and read what I wrote. Then reply with well formed sentences and reasoned responses. It always amazes me how many skeptics are no different that the religious nuts that they oppose. Just imagine an atheist criticizing a little fundies favorite pastor and watch him foam and spew. Ditto here. Pathetic.

[@Mysteryskatin]

H Jones Don't think you read what I wrote. Or if you did, you didn't respond to any of it. So why are you still typing, then? And what the fuck is a "little fundie," who says that?

[@ColtonCarter]

You're condolences are appreciated however, you're prayers dont do shit and never have.

[@fer557]

neither does your tone

[@ColtonCarter]

My tone doesn't do shit and never has? A clear, serious tone usually gets the job done.

[@lesnagy3539]

fer557 The tone is in perfect resonance with the preaching of Doug Wilson.. Doug is guy that gets far too many Liberties when he talks his nonsense..The man is Dictating bible thumping sycophant.." Dial a bible verse translation" is our Dougs specialty. The big dummies guide to the bible... Full of Shit...

[@gladifly]

Colton C. Neither does your negative persona asshat.

[@meta4282]

So angry. As if you are disappointed that prayers have not done anything for you, as if you have an expectation of prayer. the fact is, you are angry and you God is real and you are lashing out. You know the truth.

[@Keirfey]

Don't wish DEATH on anyone. Anyone. Vengeance belongs to Our Creator. He will punish those who choose punishment.

[@timtaylor7492]

Thanks DW - really appreciated - very honest, consistent and fair.

[@jakearmitage7811]

R.I.P. Hitch, you were a living example of why we need to come away from this world.

[@mitchelll3879]

His life wasn't to be celebrated but that his towering intellect led so many to destruction.. it's sad, it's tragic he is probably living in eternal torment..his life came to nothing but a cautionary tale

[@JumpJeho]

@@mitchelll3879 Such an ignorant comment. At the very least, read the entire bible and then tell me if you still believe in God.

[@Alan-71351]

​@@mitchelll3879WTF?

[@WNxSpooKy]

To state that Christopher Hitchens was scared of succumbing to the belief of God is a gigantic leap, not to mention a cheap crowd pleasing tactic. Hitchens was emphatic that if that ever happened it would happen under the influence of mind altering pain killers and other medications on his deathbed. I always enjoyed watching these two men debating. The debates were very deep and with much respect. But the undertone here, the carefully scripted assumption that he would go to hell, would have only made Hitchens chuckle with laughter.

[@michaelantonio]

I hope he repented in the end...

[@michaelantonio]

@Dumbo Octopus He did not afford God the respect due to Him, so any respect you have for Hitch is worthless...

[@michaelmuller159]

He did not and there is absolutely no reason to.

[@michaelantonio]

@@michaelmuller159 Go ahead & take your chances against the Living God.

[@michaelmuller159]

@@michaelantonio Where is he living at?

[@michaelantonio]

@@michaelmuller159 Rent free in your head.

[@Ashoerchen]

Even after his death, CH manages to win me over. Doug Wilson is a sweet and fine man, despite and because of his limitations. I think both aspects of his personality become quite clear in this video. CH saw through those and respected and befriended the man, no matter that the two couldn't agree on very fundamental questions. It tells me one more time what a great man CH was.

[@arminius504]

And what a great man Doug Wilson is

[@justinm4497]

after reading through comment's i've seen people say this is mister wilson, taking a shot a hitchens, since he speaks in religious tones, but I don't think so, I do recall in their documentary, Hitch said that Doug did live and believe what he said, so he was honest about it, and Chris did say he approved of honesty, while I will say Chris might not have liked what Doug said, I think...Chris.... knowing what Doug did believe.... had Doug NOT said it.... would have been dishonest and hypocritical of Doug, so while he might not have liked it, he would have tolerated it...... as Doug is just trying to be kind in his own way, even if Chris openly opposed it. Doug is just doing what he believes and is saying it, just like he did when he and Chris traveled and Debated one another. I just think as a fellow Debater, he would have just seen it as Doug being Doug. he wouldn't have liked it, but .... I think he would have respected the freedom to say it. yeah I think that sounds right. maybe I'm wrong about it, but.............. if you watch more of Dougs video's, you will CLEARLY see when Doug attacks someone, Plain as Day, Obvious mocking or attacking or joking (even setting things on Fire..) he doesn't pull his punches, if he intends to attack someone for whatever reason. this clearly isn't an attack if you are familiar with Dougs content. so if you do think its an attack, watch some of his other stuff on his Blog and Mablog channel, that's the channel for attacks, and its probably why this video, is on this channel, and not the other... this is just Doug trying to be respectful in his own way. (Chris would not have liked it, he still would have preferred Doug speak what he believed rather than making up something else. Had he done so, Chris would know it wouldn't be honest, Both men stuck to their guns in their debates, to suddenly change now, would not be right, nor would it make sense, to either man.)

[@Johnf85]

Wilson shows just how dangerous religion is on the brain. Even with all his time spent with Hitchens, he lies about his "nervousness" regarding repenting to God with the assumption God is Yahweh and not Krishna or Allah. His mind is held completely captive by Christianity. He simply can't be aware of his surroundings. It's just 24/7 365 Christianity, as though there are no other religions that could also apply to his remarks. This is why he is such a lousy debater and speaker.

[@danielmorley2110]

Brothers and sisters, free your minds from the contempt of a soul, let it die with archaic ideals. The only heaven and hell is what you create for yourself here and now, accept science into your life.

[@krilleanka]

I don't understand the vitriol towards this man from atheists and other admirers of Christopher's. He and mr Hitchens obviously got along very well, and respected each other. I think Hitch would have appreciated his words, if there were in fact an afterlife. Which of course there isn't, so he can't appreciate anything anymore.

[@awakeTooOften]

This is a great video. I felt a great deal of sorrow over the death of Christopher Hitchens. Of all the great modern atheist thinkers in my opinion he was the most human and likable. I hope that he found peace with God in the end, but I think you're right--we wont know until that day.

[@ezassegai4793]

he hasnt. its appointed for every man to die and then the judgement. he had his thousands of chances but he willfully rejected God. He chose where he is now.

[@nataliaturner4845]

Of course he found peace with God in the end - because God is love and love is not complicated 🤦‍♀️ But boy do insecure people _love_ to complicate it 🙄 There simply MUST be somebody much lesser than you burning in hell for eternity in order for you to feel BIG, right EZ Assegai? 😒

[@jfabiani]

@@ezassegai4793 You and your imaginary hateful torturing. Ooo. You God is SO vengeful. I'm so scared. You sound like you are trying to scare a child.

[@carlisroy6666]

@@ezassegai4793 "He wilfully rejected God." By the same logic, you are wilfully rejecting Allah and are going to Islamic Hell.

[@hectorsparter7242]

I thought Doug Wilson was a friend of Hitchens clearly not, what a disgrace show some respect.

[@hectorsparter7242]

***** are you not entertained?

[@GlobalBurden]

There's something implied in your response here that's a revelation to me: - The desire to sin motivates unbelief. That's a profound truth - and I'm going to remember it!

[@robertcoeymanjr.2550]

There is no unbelief. There is only belief in the opposite.

[@peter0712]

@@robertcoeymanjr.2550 There is most certainly unbelief

[@mrtadreamer]

The smoke of his torment shall go up forever and ever.

[@Tbone.357]

Pompous ass

[@ezassegai4793]

@@Tbone.357 oh shut up

[@IsaacNussbaum]

That passage is talking about living people on earth, mrtadreamer. (See Revelation 16: 2.) And while the SMOKE of their torment might rise forever, their torment will only last until they are destroyed in the lake of fire. _9 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, 10 they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”_

[@timithypirie1]

Amen

[@Gottenhimfella]

I will answer deksper in a new thread because what he responded to was a minor sidetrack to the point I was trying to make. Here's the key claim of that minor sidetrack again

[@garethhale6740]

how dare this guy open with "yesterday Christopher Hitchens passed away and went to meet the Lord". Hitch only lives on in the wonderful memories he provided and the monumental legacy he left us with which was his contribution to free mankind from the invisible shackles known as religion !!!!!!!!!!!

[@IworshipI]

the invisible shackles is sin. Keep in mind that Jesus hated religion as well. Christianity is a relationship with Jesus who bought you at a price so that you can be freed from your sinful life. If you believe that and believe in him, you will be saved.

[@garethhale6740]

Mo, I'll save myself thank you. Nor am I a sinner. I wish you well but the harsh reality is that we evolved from primates and dinosaurs once walked the earth. Science is pure, beautiful and the truth. Lets move on!

[@IworshipI]

I'm sorry you believe that. You can keep telling yourself that you and everyone else in the world is a good person. Everyone has their own standard of what good is, keep in mind that a just and holy God will not tolerate an ounce of sin. Oh and according to evolution we evolved from ape like creatures not primates. If you wish to call evolution science, you have to remember that science is anything that can be observed and tested by experiments. If you say that we evolved millions of years ago and therefore we cannot observe evolution, you will have to come to the conclusion that evolution is rather faith than science. It takes a lot of faith to believe we came from ape like creatures and that the universe began from nothing rather than God creating it.

[@manbat76]

Ha ha, wishful thinking if he really thought there was a chance of Christopher Hitchens "turning to the Lord" at the end. Hitchens was far too intelligent, and had far too much integrity, to start crying and praying like a baby just because he knew he was going to die.

[@stegokitty]

Well, if it were simply left up to Christopher Hitchens, or for anyone really, it would never happen. No one is able to turn themselves from the love of their lives (sins, trespasses, pride) and to embrace that which they, by nature despise (Christ). Christopher Hitchens was no special case. He was no different than any other sinner on the planet in that matter. If God chooses to save a sinner He saves the sinner. God never fails to do precisely and exactly what He wants to do. And whatever Christopher Hitchens' estate was at the last moments of his life is unknown to you or me, and therefore it's just as presumptive and silly for you to pretend to know.

[@codyturning5598]

One of the recurring themes I have noticed from apologists like Doug Wilson, as well as many infuriating people on this thread, is is to pick at little misinterpretations or draw circular defences at the obvious criticisms people point out with their arguments. "Actually the bible does not specifically say you will be damned if you don't believe in God, that was made up by a 12th century Theologian and ditched in the 15th," "nowhere does it say it is a sin to believe in what you want" (btw 1st commandment: thou shalt worship no other God) or that old favourite "God exists because I believe he does (qua its ok to arrogantly talk about someone having eternal punishment for not). All it does is avoid the clearly irrefutable position that your belief represents nothing more than ignorance.

[@lipby]

Fundamentalist Christianity is infantile

[@primitivaroots]

amen doug. thanks for sharing the truth

[@christophertaylor9100]

Hitchens was a brilliant, extremely well educated man who was immensely gifted. It is sad he so heartily and angrily rejected Christ. His brother came back home, thank God. It is sad that he had such a blind spot when it came to faith, where his intellect would waver because he was so emotionally and philosophically opposed to Jesus he couldn't think straight.

[@BenjaminM2804]

The sadness isn't that Mr. Hitchens opted not to embrace something he didn't believe in, but rather the belief that some thought he should.

[@bballer191]

This is utter rubbish. And I find it insulting that he's essentially condemning Mr. Hitchen's to hell in this speech, or that he, along with other Christians, may be able to "pray" someone into Heaven. The arrogance of Christian's like this is repulsive.

[@elijahsmith6508]

Brandon Van He was referring to certain views that Christians tend to have that are not helpful or honest. Like a funeral for a murder and the eulogy makes him to be a saint.

[@elijahsmith6508]

He doesn't think we can pray him into Heaven.

[@jamesgoodwin81]

"This is wishful thinking" says the Pastor, seemingly entirely without a sense of irony or self-awareness.

[@mimiford7163]

I loved your comment.

[@craignicklin4573]

not a god person, but some people miss the point of this, Doug is very obviously suffering due to the hitch's death, if he finds some comfort in this then peace be, but no way should it take away from Christopher death.

[@craignicklin4573]

look it was just a thought, no brownie points on my side as i am an atheist but as an atheist, i know that death is the end, for some people this is hard, they can not take it that this is the case, Just like if you ask a theist what is sin they have trouble defining it with out the bible.

[@craignicklin4573]

nah problem bud, hoping your having a good start to the new year.

[@craignicklin4573]

will do once i shake off this blood cold i've got

[@craignicklin4573]

sorry should have been a y in there bloody keyboard plays up from time to time d'oh

[@BrianTylerComposer]

Excellent point.

[@dord9]

Well, how do you know heaven and hell are real? Because it says it is some archaic writings that were written in the less literate parts of the middle eastern desert during the Bronze Age? How exactly do you know those texts are legitimate? Where's your observable, verifiable evidence in support of your claims? I'd really like to know.

[@stegokitty]

You really would like to know? Then perhaps you ought to do a little study into the matter if you "REALLY" would like to know. We have good reason for believing what we believe. But your "questions" give away your real intent. You don't "really want to know" anything at all. You merely want to cast your meaningless, and grossly uneducated opinion around. That's what you "really" want to do.

[@stegokitty]

r green Really now? So you emphatically know that there is no Heaven and Hell? That means you know all things. Fascinating, and you say that I appear to not know "wtf [I'm] talking about"?

[@dord9]

stegokitty I find it funny how your god, who is said to desire worship, feels the need to hide away from us. Isn't it interesting how, now that we've developed cameras and ways of verifying occurrences, god has become reluctant to show himself since the Bronze Age? What I'd REALLY like to know is how you could possibly believe this religious absurdity wholeheartedly without questioning its validity. Oh, that's right, it's because you were indoctrinated into not ever questioning your faith. Sucks to be you. I think it's time you considered growing out of your imaginary friends.

[@stegokitty]

FullmetalChuunibyou Firstly, you might want to check your history, as it was a very long time since the Bronze Age until photography was invented, much less perfected to the point in which it exists today. Secondly, it's rather odd that you'd answer your own question (to me) seeing as you neither know me, nor anything about my life. But that sort of behaviour isn't anything new to me. I've come to expect ignorance, and am pleasantly surprised when I meet a reasonable, thinking atheist. And thirdly, God reveals Himself to whomever He wills. He graciously revealed Himself to me. Perhaps He'll have mercy on you and do the same. But if He doesn't, it won't release you from your personal guilt of purposefully blocking out the innate knowledge of God that you previously had. Everyone knows that there is "a god", but more importantly we all know that God is God, and that we are morally responsible agents, who must answer to Him for how we conduct our lives, and that we shall be judged accordingly on the Last Day.

[@dord9]

Firstly, that's already been established. I don't understand why you felt the need to tell me something I already know. It HAS certainly been a long time between the Bronze Age and the moment we developed cameras. I don't see where you're going with this. My argument was about the fact that the bible propagates god's alleged miracles and appearances during the Bronze Age, but once we created actual ways of verifying said occurrences, all those occurrences stopped. It's because they were merely fabricated claims made up to instill fear and control over a populace during archaic times. Secondly, I don't need to know who you are specifically in order to know religious ways of thinking. You WERE indoctrinated because all religious people are. You DON'T question your faith because if religious people did that, they'd stop being religious. I find it funny how you use the word "ignorance," and yet you're the religious person who accepts nonsensical absurdities and shuns empirical, scientific evidence to the contrary. And thirdly, that proposition is based on the presupposition that god even exists at all. You have yet to prove THAT much. Your little anecdotal experience isn't going to convince anyone, because it's not evidence. It's an unproven, personal testimony portrayed through a biased predisposition. We can't rely on that to prove god's existence to everyone. Humans are actually quite susceptible to hallucination, in many variations. It is most probable that you had suffered from one when you claim to have seen god himself. Don't expect some honeyed words to sway me into believing some unproven, non-observable, magical wizard in the sky. And certainly don't expect threats and coercion to persuade me either. I actually used to be a Christian, but eventually I gained reason and logic and had rationalized that there is no legitimate reason to believe in any gods. Don't waste your breath. I'm never going back to that primitive line of thinking ever again. If you wish to stay blind and controlled, be my guest, but don't force me into it. I'm good without it.

[@Keirfey]

Men named Adolf? God's choice

[@jcpg9592]

Thank you Pastor Wilson for your courage in proclaiming the true Gospel!

[@habrpg]

What a load of crap...unreal!

[@JustineWiniker]

He didn't go to meet the Lord. The Lord went to meet with him. 😂

[@citrixman]

This is the talking snake in the garden of our modern world.... Beware of talking snakes!

[@xlxchrisxlx666]

christopher went to meet lord? omg

[@jfabiani]

Betcha he hitch slapped the sky daddy that day.

[@PurePuritan]

God's not real but I hate him!!!!

[@timithypirie1]

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

[@SeanGlazier]

Well Hitchens said heaven would be hell for him. So if he says that then ends up in Hell then he is where he wanted to be. Of course Hitchens did not believe in Hell either. However, I think when face to face with God he perhaps said send me to the other place. He repeatedly said he wanted nothing to do with the God of the bible and certainly he thought even less of Jesus. He who doesn't believe is condemned already because they have not believed in Gods son. So unless he repented at his death or was following Gods orders to be an antagonist to wake up Christians, I think Hitchens will get a hitch slap to the afterlife down under.

[@allyraymond9483]

How insulting to Hitchens memory to say with a straight face that "Hitches went to meet the Lord". These charlatans are fact free, ignorant, as blind faith leads them to their own demise. We will all share the same thing...the ground.

[@DCPorter71]

Christopher Hitchens owned Doug Wilson on every single exchange they had. So now, rather than just say that Christopher was a nice man and it's a shame he died Doug had to instead use this opportunity to have a final say and spout some more horseshit that, if he was alive, Christopher would have ripped him a new one in response. It will be widely thought of that it is disgusting and immoral that Doug could say such things following Christopher's death, and Doug knows it, because he has disabled the ratings on this video. Shame on you Doug Wilson that was low. .

[@Benjaminsp2004]

Its sad to see all of the hateful comments.... He isn't trying to "get the last word in..." These men were at opposite ends of the spectrum on the notion of god and yet they had something of a friendship, a respectable relationship to say the least and I was actually curious what hitches opponents would say regarding his departure...

[@normanfrosthistle143]

hitchens died and discovered he was right. still an athiest

[@TheCruiseDog]

If Hitchens was right, he never knew it. He only can know if he is wrong.

[@huckster699]

I liked this guy in collision. Seemed like a good guy. But here? This is what religion does to a ordinarily good guy.

[@williampatrickwoods]

+huckster699 I feel exactly the same way. I always thought he was nice, but fuck these beliefs really have ruined him. Reminds me of my one religious friend.

[@AuxentiusZ]

He misinterpreted the scripture of Ecclesiastes. The reason why the "House of Mourning" is better than the "House of Joy" is right there in Ecclesiastes. The point is on the day we're born, it's all a blank slate. We have no idea what that person will become, it's all ahead of them. On other hand, on the day a man dies we know exactly what sort of person he was, and if he has built a good name for himself then all his troubles are behind him. On a side note, many of the Church Fathers (Origen, Saint Gregory of Nyssa, Maximus the Confessor, etc.) believed that all rational beings would be re-united with God/saved. This person is representing a pretty narrow interpretation of a faith that has a very, very broad tradition.

[@lukej7758]

I've always thought Doug Wilson was rather foolish, but was a fairly likable guy. I can't say that after watching this. Wilson had the nerve to make a video the day after his "friend" died. And in this video he alludes to (without having the balls to say it outright) how he believes Hitchen's is now burning in hell. He also infers/hopes that Hitchen's went back on his deepest convictions, dying as a coward. This is an incredible insult to one of the greatest intellectuals of our time. Doug, keep talking all you want, but people are realizing more and more how full of shit those like you (pastors, priests etc.) really are. Thanks Hitchen's for everything you did, people like Wilson can shut the fuck up for all I care though

[@pamdelaney5149]

There is a God and one day, too, your knee will bend and your mouth will confess that Christ Jesus is Lord. I hope that you do this before you get on the other side of the soil. If you REALLY want to know if there is a God...then you need to humble yourself and ask sincerely and He will indeed answer you. You see, sir, God is sovereign and holy. It is written that the beginning of wisdom starts with the fear of the Lord. God does not and will never tolerate a speck of sin. We would all be forever separated from God because of our sin, except that God came down in the flesh as Christ Jesus and took upon Himself all of your transgressions. You too can have eternal life if you give up your pride, humble yourself and call on Him to save you and trust in His finished work on the cross with subsequent resurrection. If you refuse. You will spend go to a place that is without God and will eventually die the second death. You see, being a Christian does not ever make us better than anyone else. In fact, we know we have sinned and we too need a savior, Christ Jesus. You too can have this gift of grace from God. A gift we don't deserve,. A gift we can never earn. Much love to you!

[@EddieHedrick]

Ignoramus!

[@robforrester3727]

When Wilson was debating Hitchens, something really odd came out of Team Christianity. Wilson claimed that it was on Team Atheism to back up their claim, which is strange because atheists aren't making a claim, nor are they proselytizing. It would seem that the people doing the evangelizing - those in an organized religion - would certainly have the burden of proof on them. Otherwise, you're asking someone to prove a negative, which you'll never satisfactorily do.

[@dwaipayansinha]

If God is real, Hitchens is finally there to hitchslap Him.

[@lapascore]

I couldn't have said it better. Cheers.

[@TheCruiseDog]

If God is real (and He is), there will be no opportunity for Hitchens to intimidate the Divine. On the contrary, he will be humbled to confess that God is God.

[@jfabiani]

@@TheCruiseDog Yeah, you have quite the imagination. And your violent fantasy includes your big bully sky daddy really kicking his ass. Oh.....so human.

[@Keirfey]

Fair warning... test the spirits. Some people lie to make videos

[@Texasguy316]

I never knew Doug denounced Christ. He said Hitchens went to be with the Lord? How is that even possible if he denied Jesus his whole life? What is he talking about? Did I miss something or is Doug himself deceived?

[@IAMSEYMOURMUSIC]

This dude has as much a right as anyone to comment on this, he and hitch knew each other very well

[@j.randle3803]

I am inclined to believe in Wilson's sincerity. There was a book written by Larry Taunton about his alleged "friendship" with Hitchen years after his death. He was pretty much excoriated by Hitchens' wife and his true friends and was likewise repudiated in print in the Atlantic and book reviews and op eds.