And, lo, Mr. Hitchens has put his words to paper (internet paper!). You can read his column here. Some choice excerpts follow:
The discovery of the carcass of Jerry Falwell on the floor of an obscure office in Virginia has almost zero significance, except perhaps for two categories of the species labeled "credulous idiot."
Like many fanatical preachers, Falwell was especially disgusting in exuding an almost sexless personality while railing from dawn to dusk about the sex lives of others. His obsession with homosexuality was on a par with his lip-smacking evocations of hellfire.
It's a shame that there is no hell for Falwell to go to, and it's extraordinary that not even such a scandalous career is enough to shake our dumb addiction to the "faith-based."
Reader Comments ( Page 4 of 12)
46. Christopher Hitchens has said more truth than the pompious, self righteous, and sanctimonious Falwell has. Falwell was a religous bully and fanatic bent on doing his will first. He did prey on the weak, insecure, and gullible folks out there. Falwell was a religious pied piper. He is no different that Rush Limbaugh. Using verbal bullying and smug remarks to out do anyone in disagreement. Some of us can see through that bullying smoke screen though. People that fall prey to these kind of people are under such hypnotic manipulation by these verbal thugs that when snared they follow, but get swallowed up in the rhetoric. Then they have the most difficult time breaking away from the circle. Limbaugh, Fallwell, Hannity, and O'Reilly are snakes in the grass preying on the unsuspecting and then encoiling their victims in the cloak of protecting them and enlightening them. Beware of these charlatans. They will bully and control till their death. They need to be exposed for their power fetishes, sneeky, and deceptive tactics. First look at the cloak they are hiding behind. Falwell had Rev. preceding his name. Limbaugh has a radio show and a bullying tactic to use as his weapon. Jesus would say beware of these egomanics.
DWV123 at 3:56PM on May 16th 2007
47. When I think of Jerry Falwell, Love does not come to mind. Hate, Conceite, arragance and self-rightiousness come to mind.
Now he is in the right place to be judged. I have to resist the urge to express happiness at his death. That would lower me to his level.
jon chaney at 3:56PM on May 16th 2007
48. I don't know that much about Mr. Falwell. However I am a believer in Christ and God the father. In saying this I have to offer prayers to this Mr. Hutchins as I cannot think of anyone at this point that could use a little more God. To launch such a public and vitriolic attack on a dead man who cannot speak for himself is more telling of Mr. Hutchins true nature than words alone could do.
faye at 1:28AM on May 17th 2007
49. THANK GOD HE IS DEAD. MAY HE ROT IN HELL AFTER TELLING HIS "CHRISTIANS" THAT PEOPLE LIKE ME, A RESPONSIBLE EPISCOPAL PRIEST WHO HAPPENS TO BE GAY, WILL GO TO HELL. HE WAS A GREEDY FRAUD.
MOTHER ALWAYS TOLD ME TO ALWAYS SPEAK GOOD OF THE DEAD. JERRY IS DEAD, GOOD!
Steve at 4:00PM on May 16th 2007
50. First I would like to say I am a Christian, I have been one for years. Nothing that you Christopher could ever say that would change my mind about that one thing. My prayer is that for all people to turn to God, and to Jesus Christ. Having said that, I will say some other things. I believe that good people are every where. Beliveres and non-beliveres. I don't believe there should be a War of Words going on. I think all people should accept each other for what they are. If you kill someone then justice takes over etc. What ever fits the crime. Jerry Falwell was disliked for his words. He let hate shine through. He decived a lot of people. You Christopher are no, differant for you feed on his words and the dislike for Jerry to put forth your own way of life. You will allso decive many. But you can not decive me. just as Jerry could not decive me. Faith in God is real. Once you have it you can never lose it. Oh you may wonder off for a while but you will return to it. God gave each person freedon, to accept or not. Hate is hate wheather it was Jerry's or yours. It still Hate.
Lucille Stockton at 4:03PM on May 16th 2007
51. evil person, glad he,s gone
dvirgildurlin at 1:30AM on May 17th 2007
52. It's really sad. All Mr. Hitchens did was throw out personal insults at Rev. Falwell. Pastor Falwell is dead and can't defend himself. Any credibility that Mr Hitchens expects to have is gone with this show of personal childish attacks on a man who he obviously didn't agree with. He talked about Rev. Falwell using his influence as a Pastor to garner influence and get his points across. Obviously Mr. Hitchens has used his credentials as a so called "author" to do just what he has spent TV time accusing Pastor Falwell of. From the time he opened his mouth, his hatred for religion was obvious. He kept mentioning Rev. Graham and Rev. Robertson in the same breaths with the ministers who used to preach, but had sinned and been relieved of their ministries. Please Mr. Hitchens, keep your obvious anti religion opinion to yourself. Practice what you "preach".
Richard
Madison Alabama
Richard Claus at 4:07PM on May 16th 2007
53. Falwell was an arrogant, hog-jawed, shit-pot stirer. He was also a "too" far right dork. I think Mr. Hitchen's description of Falwell was right on target!! He will be missed by but a few. Now, if Pat Robison would take a hike..........
mdembree at 4:13PM on May 16th 2007
54. evil person, glad he,s gone
dvirgildurlin at 11:50AM on May 31st 2007
55. I don't believe in speaking ill of the dead, so let's just say I won't be sending any flowers.
As far as Hitchens goes -who cares, Has one hell of lot to say about how America is ran, I'm not sure he's even an American Citizen. If not, he should keep his mouth shut or go back to
England and cover the Queen/Tony Blair, etc.
Maggie Mae at 10:42AM on May 18th 2007
56. I would politely request that with the passing of Mr. Falwell, Mr. Hitchens and the rest of you fellow citizens abide by the protocol that dictates: "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all." The fact that Mr. Hitchens addresses the subject whatsoever speaks volumes about his true dependence on being contrary and adversarial in his pursuit of a living. It's his niche, his schtick, his hook, his way to turn on the lamp underneath that lampshade he wears throughout life, that illuminates an enormous sign around his noggin proclaiming "LOOK ATR ME WORLD, Aren't I the Important ONE!?" Why speak at all? Was there a thought process that kicked in at anytime that said...hey just let the people who care about falwell grieve for his loss, or celebrate his life in peace? People, Hitchens does this because he believes you are all sheep, both believers and non-believers alike. He despises those of you who glom onto his point of view as readily as he despises those who associate themselves with those concepts in which he is in opposition. Wake UP and get lives of your own.
Plainsmen at 4:27PM on May 16th 2007
57. I was at first shocked at the hatred exhibited toward Dr. Falwell. Then I remembered the words of Jesus Christ who warned His followers that “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” As an alumnus of Liberty University I am nevertheless saddened by such attitudes. Yet far more important that one’s views of Jerry Falwell is one’s view of Jesus Christ. As some have noted, Jesus did speak about love. But not only did he speak it, He lived it. The Bible tells us that “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” We are all sinners; we have not lived up to God’s standard. This creates a barrier between God and us. And if we die in this condition we will be eternally separated from Him. But because of His great love God sent his Son into the world with the expressed purpose of dying on the cross to pay for our sins. John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The “world” includes everyone reading this, including Christopher Hitchens. God loves you all and offers His salvation to you. Accept His free gift today!
Gordon Eck at 4:25PM on May 16th 2007
58. Would Jackson & Sharpton be included with Falwell.
Larry Wallis at 6:02PM on May 16th 2007
59. So very sad that people of Liberal bent and espouse their ardent and fervent support of frredom of speech and better yet, THOUGHT. Just can't respect the demise of someone whose views differed from theirs and acknowledge thyat perhaps, just perhaps, he had a point of view that deserved some philosophical consideration. Anyone that thinks and has a position on issues and most importantly, can support them, without the statement (YOU DISAGREE WITH ME)SO THAT IS HATE SPEECH - I DON'T RESPOND TO HATE SPEECH. So sad that some can't debate and accept other peoples' point of view. This country is in deep trouble. Dan Bruno
dan bruno at 4:34PM on May 16th 2007
60. Hitchens' book is most interesting as an analysis of what can happen if one believes in any faith based belief system that is at all irrational and illogical in its premises. But there are many faiths, many beliefs, and many religions. Not all are bad and not all are good. Hitchens is right when he states that any system that lacks reason must necessarily be bad and certainly any religion that demands subservience and submission is stupid. But not every religious system lacks reason and not every religion demands total obedience from its adherents. Just the evil ones.
William O'Connor at 4:36PM on May 16th 2007