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 7 of 12)
91. GREAT video! Its about time someone who has the ear of the media speaks the truth about these faith-based hypocrites. Its a sad commentary on our moronic president and his appointees and tells of how dangerous myth-believers like this ilk really is.
John Palazzini at 9:49PM on May 16th 2007
92. Religion is a cancer on society and threatens humanity. Its nothing more than myth, sophistry, deception and Hebrew fairy-tales designed to dupe the scientifically ignorant and easily frightened.
John Palazzini at 9:51PM on May 16th 2007
93. Hitchens attaks a man, Mr. Falwell, that cannot defend himself at this particular time.
Very proper and expected of an individual well versed in Marxist rethoric which he learned during his early years as a committed communist and avowed enemy of any religion while in the U.K. His true colors and red ideology still linger.
So much bitternes cannot be good.
c. fer at 10:03PM on May 16th 2007
94. Enuf, all's been said that can be regarding Mr. Falwell. Mr Hitchens showcases his breathless commentary with Falwell-like fervor, all gloating boyishness- ie, "little toad" "horrible little man"-one might expect in the schoolyard not in the halls of valid criticism. "How dare he," Mr Hitchens intones with all the self-righteous sanctimony of a member in a Star Chamber. Ah, Hitchens the Impressario! This all-to-clever Pundit brandishes ridicule rather than apprising commentary. And the wanna-be we-know-better iconoclasts bob their heads in follow-the-leader fashion. Ironically, Mahatma Hitchen's voluable oratorical rhethoric is as bloated and smug as that of the late Mullah of Madness, Mr Falwell. Like Falwell, Hitchens speaks from a bully pulpit. The Accused Falwell and Prosecuter Hitchens do have someting else in common too: both believe they were annoited to tell the truth. My reply: "Homnes Exeunt." Gentlemen clear the stage"
boredwell at 10:07PM on May 16th 2007
95. His comments remind me of a quote "Men never do evil so openly and contentedly as when they do it from religious conviction"
pat at 10:12PM on May 16th 2007
96. Not all people of faith were fans of Jerry Falwell. I see more similarities between the "passion" of Christopher and Jerry, its just that they are both coming from equally false assumptions so the bit of truth in both positions gets lost.
Ron Rouintree at 10:26PM on May 16th 2007
97. Skepticism is entirely appropriate and understandable. It is indeed more likely that Man created God than vice versa, simply on the basis of the infinitely greater neediness of Man. But any God worthy of the name is unknowable with our feeble human faculties and so it is no reflection on God, if there be one, that men would cloak and see him in whatever trappings they find most familiar and comfortable. One must allow this nuance of a difference: does Man "create" God or does Man only "perceive" God?
An agnostic humbly admits what he cannot know. By contrast, an atheist proudly trumpets his folly by taking the same leap of faith as do the religious. The only difference is that the atheist's faith is empty, barren and extends no hope or promise. If one cannot withhold judgment and cannot live without the certainty of faith, a rational person will believe in something rather than nothing. Only a fool makes wagers that cannot pay. Falwell may have been severely biased and self-serving in his perception of God but Hitchens and his ilk are fools, their folly documented in their own illogic.
Cincinnati Rick at 10:27PM on May 16th 2007
98.
Hitchens is correct in stating that Falwell, Phelps, Robertson,Swaggert, and others So-Called Religious, Right-Wing, Conservative Republicans are frauds & charlatans. They would abuse religion to serve their financial & political aspirations. These people take the Bible and discet it to fit their needs & beliefs.
Hitchens is correct in stating that these people don't do any good. That they're only concerned about their own political & financial interests. They would go on TV and con people for their life savings, crying that if people don't send money God will take them to heaven or that something terrible will happen. Then they fly around in private planes, or first class. They're driven in chauffeured driven limousines or in expensive cars. They live in large homes & estates. All paid from the money they scam from people.
Falwell, Phelps, Robertson, Seaggert, and other So-Called Religious, Right-Wing, Conservative Republicans never preached tolerance, compassion or brotherly love. The only time they would bring up the concepts of tolerance, compassion and brotherly love would be if they're busted breaking the law, embezzling funds, with a prostitute, in a homosexual relationship, or in sexual scandal. They would order people to forgive them & to show them compassion -- the same compassion/forgiveness that they wouldn't show towards others.
Hitchens is right when he states that Falwell, Phelps, Robertson, Swaggert, and other So-Called Religious, Right-Wing, Conservative Republicans preached hatred towards others and used hatred and prejudice for financial, personal and political gains.
The world is better off without Falwell -- a miserable, hateful little man.
Lefty at 10:30PM on May 16th 2007
99. Christopher Hitchens for president!
dottie at 10:59PM on May 16th 2007
100. Much like many people in the world, why should anyone care about this man? He has done nothing, given nothing to help the real world. I dont even have to go outside of this country to make a point. We have violence, drug use, and immorality growing at an exponential rate, and he actually supported these things simply by being the hypocrite he has been known for the past thirty years.
Its come to my understanding that religion is very two faced, though it is good, it also creates evil, absolute evil in fact. Mr. Fallwell was that embodiment of evil much like Osama is also another face of evil, much like Hitler and his ideals for a "supreme race" (which I'm sure both men wished to accomplish after Hitler's death).
Please try and understand this "Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely" (Socrates) Give man power, and he will wield it to do only his bidding. This is logic 101 man is always greedy, always gluttonous to have everything, Mr. Fallwell nothing less than an evil being. If he was truely a good man, we would all bless his soul. Much like a saint. Great men are known for their mark in what they've accomplished for the rest of the world not how much their church collected and how many politicians he went to bed with.
Thankfully he died with a whimper than bang. Hopefully the devil is playing with his carcuss right now. Otherwise I'd rather be in hell than with Mr. Fallwell.
Adam at 11:19PM on May 16th 2007
101. Foulwell is dead! Hallelujah! May those who believe as he nd support him in any way join him soon. F--- his family! ( I'm sure he did)
Ed Heichel at 11:30PM on May 16th 2007
102. Who on earth is Christopher Hitchins? Frankly I have never heard of him before today. And why is he considered an expert on Christianity?
Nancy at 11:30PM on May 16th 2007
103. WOW! WE are seeing one more sign of the true end, Its written, in the last days, Right will be wrong and wrong will right. I use to believe like most of you that mocks God,Christ,the Bible and those that believ. I found the Truth. Jesus Christ Is Lord and Savior! Like it or not.. The hated him and killed Him, Today's world is no different. Talk of sheep! Folks that believes and thinks like this Hitchens and His kind. Its The lost of you folks,Falwell is ok folks, He is in Heaven. Its you in trouble. Your walking lock step towards the Anti Christ. Laugh if you like, but in the end you sure will not be laughing. Its written, the Fool says there is No God! Your Call Folks.
Jesse at 11:38PM on May 16th 2007
104. Nicely put, Hitchens. And dont worry, i think there is hell and that is where the falwell thing is going.
The world is a better place today.
aries at 11:38PM on May 16th 2007
105. Congratulations Christopher! Someone had the courage to expose the hypocrisy of the so called Evangelicals. One less charlatan milking the money of the less fortunate and educated Americans. More Americans need to read Dawkins, more Hitchens, more Sam Harris. For a more secular and cultured America,less prejudice, more reason and science.
Sven at 11:43PM on May 16th 2007