March 30th, 2008
Christopher Hitchens is not just an author, he's also a journalist and speaker. His style is very characteristic for its intellectual depth and eloquent expressions. There is an interesting debate on Google Video among four critics of religion where he takes part.
God is not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything is one of the best books I've read about religion. It is also a rather deep book. Unlike Sam Harris, who apart from presenting examples also includes a lot of his own reasoning, Hitchen tries to present his arguments by finding quotes and references for everything. This might make the argument more convincing, but it also makes it a bit hard to follow with the flurry of examples he draws upon.
Hitchens makes many points in his book, but one of his central and probably most interesting arguments is that religion is man made. And from there on he finds it not excessively difficult to explain the many atrocities associated with religious groups over the centuries.
I think I would go overboard on the everything. Some of the best people I have known have been preachers, priests... what's infinitely worse are the people that hide behind the church, and trustme there are a good many of them.
...and i was convinced that you wouldnt like Hitchens. He is a blunt guy and thats why i love his stuff. Sam Harris, Dawkins, Denett & co are building their arguments. Hitchens manages to sum it all up in few sentences, give you an example or a reference and close it up with a bang. He is an anti-theist and is not scared to show it.
A bit of trivia. His brother is a believer and they had several head to head debates. Cool stuff.
If you liked this book, you should try The missionary position - his take on mother Teresa and her lifework. Needles to say, for Hitchens, nothing is sacred ;)
Cheers!!
aca