Third Installment of the Hitchens/Wilson Debate

It has been very interesting to follow some of the blog buzz over the debate I am having with Christopher Hitchens. Speaking of that debate, the third installment is now posted here. Christian bloggers have been generally very happy about the whole thing. But the Christians who have been dubious about the whole enterprise can …

The Top Hat and the Sea Otters

We are in the backstretch now. In his next chapter, Christopher Hitchens gives us a brief historical survey of freethinkers throughout history who found themselves in trouble with the authorities. Men like Socrates, Spinoza and Thomas Paine are an inspiration to Hitchens, and he spends this chapter telling us why. But he also tells us …

Hitchens Gives Orwell the Raspberry

My review of Chapter Sixteen of Hitchens’ book will not be long at all. The title of this chapter is “Is Religion Child Abuse?” He acknowledges at the conclusion of the previous chapter that it is “one provocative question” (p. 215). It certainly is. One of the guiding assumptions of Hitchens’ zeal is that religion …

The Temple Fires are Extinguished

In his next chapter, Christopher Hitchens takes on religion as original sin. In this chapter, he demonstrates that he understands the Christian gospel better than many televangelists do, but at the same time, that understanding is suffused with the kind of hatred that brings a different kind of confusion. Hitchens says here that the behavior …

Only Wrong When the Buddhists Do It

At first glance, it may appear that the next chapter of Hitchens’ book would be another one where there is considerable agreement. It is entitled “There Is No ‘Eastern’ Solution,” and, of course, I completely agree with that, as far as it goes. In addition, I agree with Hitchens’ assessment of why many Westerners have …