This must explain why he wrote his memoirs at such a young age. Oh man, this is sad news.

BTW, I don't believe Hitchens'll be converting to Christianity on his death bed, but it's nice to see his adversaries coming out to bat for him.

Hitch is certainly a controversial figure, and he's never shied away from that image. I don't like that he was and still is for the invasion of Iraq, but I've always supported his atheistic views. Like Boney said, it's very cool that his adversaries are publicly offering him support.

"To the Christian viewers of this I ask a favor of you. Pray for Christopher Hitchens. Now. Specifically, pray that God will soften his heart to the Gospel"


lol stuff like that will just anoy him lol

Wikipedia: Esophageal cancer

Prognosis

In general, the prognosis of esophageal cancer is quite poor, because so many patients present with advanced disease: The overall five-year survival rate (5YSR) is less than 5%. Individualized prognosis depends largely on stage. Those with cancer restricted entirely to the esophageal mucosa have about an 80% 5YSR, but submucosal involvement brings this down to less than 50%. Extension into the muscularis propria (muscular layer of the esophageus) has meant a 20% 5YSR and extension to the structures adjacent to the esophagus results in a 7% 5YSR. Patients with distant metastases (who are not candidates for curative surgery) have a less than 3% 5YSR.

Oh dear. I hope he pulls through. Class act by Fixed Point too. /tips hat

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Damn shame . He pisses me off at least as often as I agree with him, but I always enjoy hearing him articulate. Hope he beats this shit.

I shiver at the thought of how many evangelicals will think this a punishment for defying god.

Praying is such a masturbatory, externally useless ritual. It won't do anything, but it makes the person doing it feel better about themselves. I hope nobody prays for me when I have cancer.

God did it.

My father passed due to the same cancer. If caught early enough it can be treatable. In his case it was caught a bit late, and was an extremely agressive form.

Hitchins was quite a smoker and drinker.. so that could have contributed. But then again, it could just have been a stray cosmic ray that plowed through our atmosphere, hit him in the wrong spot at the wrong moment, and eventually led to cancer.

Most cancers are caused by the natural environment. We and the Earth are being bombarded by high energy particles all the time. From our sun, things in our universe, things in our soil.

So much for an ideal world/universe designed specifically for humans.

Is he surprised he has cancer? For such an intelligent person, he lived a terrible lifestyle... alcohol, obesity, probably a bad diet...

>> ^chilaxe:

Is he surprised he has cancer? For such an intelligent person, he lived a terrible lifestyle... alcohol, obesity, probably a bad diet...


Probably not.

I can't wait to see the Christians come out of the woodwork and proclaim God's glory and the effectiveness of their prayers if the Hitch beats the odds. You can't win either way. If he dies, it's because he has forsaken God. If he lives, it's because everyone was praying for him or because God gave him a second chance to change his tune and worship him and avoid eternal hellfire.

We're pulling for you, sir.

>> ^honkeytonk73:

My father passed due to the same cancer. If caught early enough it can be treatable. In his case it was caught a bit late, and was an extremely agressive form.
Hitchins was quite a smoker and drinker.. so that could have contributed. But then again, it could just have been a stray cosmic ray that plowed through our atmosphere, hit him in the wrong spot at the wrong moment, and eventually led to cancer.
Most cancers are caused by the natural environment. We and the Earth are being bombarded by high energy particles all the time. From our sun, things in our universe, things in our soil.
So much for an ideal world/universe designed specifically for humans.

From what I know, cancer is both environmental and genetic. You're either genetically predisposed to have a potential for cancer or you're not. If it's in your DNA, then it can be triggered by external forces.

I don't know how that works with what you say about high energy particles. I've heard that those particles can have an affect on one's DNA. Some think that we can thank those particles for the mutations that contributed to evolution.

Yes, a lot of factors can affect your likeliness of getting cancer. I am no expert by any means. Seems we can go one way (cancer) or the other way (positive mutation). I'd guess the positive mutations are less likely to occur and also less likely to be transmitted to the next generation. These days humanity is somewhat defeating the 'survival of the fittest' model. With modern medicine and people living longer. Those with some disease, and those without.. both being more likely to produce viable offspring than throughout history. Viable as in able to live due to a lower infant mortality rate. Yeah cancer sucks, but if cancer doesn't get us. Something else certainly will. Life is not infinite to the individual.. but our genes are more likely to outlive us. At least until the Sun dies.. if we haven't moved elsewhere by then in a few billion years.



>> ^rottenseed:

>> ^honkeytonk73:
My father passed due to the same cancer. If caught early enough it can be treatable. In his case it was caught a bit late, and was an extremely agressive form.
Hitchins was quite a smoker and drinker.. so that could have contributed. But then again, it could just have been a stray cosmic ray that plowed through our atmosphere, hit him in the wrong spot at the wrong moment, and eventually led to cancer.
Most cancers are caused by the natural environment. We and the Earth are being bombarded by high energy particles all the time. From our sun, things in our universe, things in our soil.
So much for an ideal world/universe designed specifically for humans.

From what I know, cancer is both environmental and genetic. You're either genetically predisposed to have a potential for cancer or you're not. If it's in your DNA, then it can be triggered by external forces.
I don't know how that works with what you say about high energy particles. I've heard that those particles can have an affect on one's DNA. Some think that we can thank those particles for the mutations that contributed to evolution.

In some sense I feel like I should have downvoted. This is a tough way to find out a hero of yours is dying--through the mouth of a condescending, pious man with an agenda. Sooooo unfortunate.

almost insulting to expect/hope for someone to become more susceptible to your own delusions out of fear at the end of their life.

I am happy you have an imaginary friend. some of us don't need them.

A short excerpt from Galton's work on the efficacy of prayer.

"In one statistical study, Galton examined data from a previous study by Guy on longevity. Galton first focused on clergy. He reasoned that clergy should be the longest lived of all since they were the most “prayerful class” of all and among the most prayed for. When Galton compared the longevity of eminent clergy with eminent doctors and lawyers, the clergy were the shortest lived of the three groups. Galton next focused on royalty, who were much prayed for, when compared to other members of the aristocracy. In analyzing the data on royalty, Galton concluded: “Sovereigns are literally the shortest lived of all who have the advantage of affluence.”

I am sure there are genuine feelings in there, but really this is just a publicity stunt, using a dieing man's misfortune for the benefit of a church - made possible by the fact he knows peoples heartstrings will be moved by this breaking news, and that they will be more open to 'suggestion'. The suggestion in this case being that when he says "pray for Christopher" - people will instantly make the assumption that this will help because they are judgmentally impaired.

Why do I say this?
If he were truly speaking as a friend, he wouldn't be standing in front of a sign with the name of his organisation
He wouldn't spend half the video talking about his own beliefs/agenda
He wouldn't need to talk about specific speaking dates his organisation is committed to
The video wouldn't begin with a splash screen and intro music for the foundation (an advert in effect) and also end with a splash screen
He would give his name (that would be reasonable) but he would not introduce himself as the "Executive Director"
The video wouldn't pan out at the start to show all of the Latimer House signage
He wouldn't repeat the name of his foundation and the house multiple times
He wouldn't talk about a debate that he is "scheduled to moderate" (more shameless self promotion)
His facial expressions when he says "wouldn't that be nice" (referring to Christopher debating on the pro-Christian side) are very typical of the salesman "puppy-dog" tactics to try and win empathy from the person you are trying to convince to buy your product (I have the empathy face, you can't help but love me!). He thinks the video's audience is too stupid to realize what he is doing.
He says "we... wish him the very best" - if he was speaking as a friend he would say "I". He cleverly uses "we" so that everyone in his organisation feels as if they are being spoken for and they don't feel like they need to think or speak for themselves.
He wouldn't try to sneak in the "to what extent does Christopher really believe some of the things he says" - this one speaks for itself it is just a really low blow.
His body language and demeanor is shifty as hell, he rarely looks at the camera for more than a few seconds, when he is trying to say something personal he often looks away from the camera.
At the end, it sounds like he says "we hope you'll bury him in mind" - LOL - Freudian slip mayhaps?

Christopher, you never took the blue pill, I think you define a lot of what is right about humanity, you left your mark on a lot of people, you made a difference. I hope your cancer is operational, if not, maybe we will see you as a zombie clown one day.

Ok, you pray. And I will talk to my imaginary friend too.
Prayer: doing fuck all while convincing yourself you're helping.

This is really distasteful. Hopefully a better video of this situation gets posted and upvoted. As an atheist, having Christians almost gloat at the fact that he has cancer, and basically under their breath say, "I told you so", is a complete insult. If they truly respected him as a "friend", they would keep god out of this.

Across all religions, there are many types of prayer, of which intercessory prayer (prayer for the benefit of others), is just a small portion. For other varieties of Christian prayer, for instance, see: Prayer and the Common Life by Georgia Harkness.

While the benefits of intercessory prayer have been scientifically studied, the results are inconclusive. As I have said in other posts, it is unlikely science ever could show conclusive results for intercessory prayer. Does that mean that intercessory prayer is a waste of time? I don't think so.

I'm going to borrow Georgia Harkness's argument from her book above that when we pray for others at the very least we are taking a moment from our mostly self-centered lives in order to cultivate compassion for another human being. Personally, I think regardless of whether or not intercessory prayer works, it no more a waste of time than saying "I hope he gets better." It's an act of humanity and compassion to feel for a fellow human who is suffering.

In the Buddhist tradition, there is no god per se and therefore prayer is really more like meditation--a way to help ourselves grow. The point of this growth is not self-serving--it is to learn how to take action to make the world a better place. In Buddhism, when you pray for others you're not just hoping they'll get better, you're also trying to think of ways you can take action to make the situation better for them. Incidentally, Christianity contains the same exact concept. As phrased by Ben Franklin: "God helps those who help themselves."

While clearly most of Hitchens' fans do not subscribe to any religion, might I suggest that if you do consider yourself a fan you try to find a way to send him words of support and encouragement. It seems a bit difficult to contact him (I did a bit of Googling while writing the post; couldn't find any contact info), but if you can find out which agency represents him you could send letters or cards care-of his agent and I'm sure he'll get them.

>> ^FlowersInHisHair:

Ok, you pray. And I will talk to my imaginary friend too.
Prayer: doing fuck all while convincing yourself you're helping.


>> ^rottenseed:

Praying is such a masturbatory, externally useless ritual. It won't do anything, but it makes the person doing it feel better about themselves. I hope nobody prays for me when I have cancer.

i love this video. It will be around no matter what happens to hitchens, and serve as a "look what a total prick religion makes you" warning.

Too bad for Hitch, I pray he is healed of this... in the very least I hope it gives him some perspective. I don't mind atheism, but his brand of militant atheism does the movement no favors.

I wonder if this will help bring him back together with his Christian brother, Peter.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Hitchens

Blessings,
JIMP

I will think for Hitch

>> ^chtierna:

I shiver at the thought of how many evangelicals will think this a punishment for defying god.


Certainly they will, but I don't think it would bother Christopher at all.

Besides, would that actually be something to be proud of? That your god is so immature, needy and vicious that he goes around implanting cancer in people that disparage him? They have a strange fantasy that lot. If you're going to have an imaginary friend, why make him a bastard?

Where's your MESSIAH NOW, Hitchens? Oh, that's right...

First and foremost, I hope Hitchens is able to recover from this. I saw the poor recovery percentages and can only hope that they caught it early.

I don't agree with Hitchens on everything and I think sometimes he is a pompous ass, but his passion, wit, and intelligence drew me to seek out more of him. He has been a prominent figure in giving definition to my thoughts.

Salute!

*********

After watching the video, it seems like this guy respects Hitchens and sounds sincere. I understand that some people would see him mentioning the wish that Hitchens would converted at the end as malicious, but I disagree. Again, I think he is coming from a sincere point of view. Would he be happy with a deathbed conversion? Of course! He believes that Hitchens won't be saved unless he converts. Despite my desire, my parents have become more fundamentalist over the years due to (in my estimation) very limited sources of information. My dad believes strongly, but when he does something it is out of compassion of trying to save someone; however, he doesn't force his beliefs on anyone or any issue. The difference is that people who try to force "saving" on other people are doing it for themselves, not the people they are trying to "save". Or just plain d*cks or trolling like QM.

In a way, it is quite ironic that some people here watch this video are so wrapped in their own world, their own perceptions that they twist the video so much. Not that I'm immune to being affected by my perceptions, but seriously people - step away from the mindless dogpile of knee-jerk rejection based on your beliefs.

*********

And on a slightly different subject: If I had cancer, I don't think other people praying would do a thing to cure the cancer. It could have one small effect of boosting my spirits from realizing that so many people cared for me. Many years ago, some serious shit went down in my life and my life, frankly, was looking like it was going to take a huge change for the worse. I was very depressed and despondent. At that point, many people wrote character witness letters. Apparently they were very good letters. It was amazing what people wrote and my attitude improved greatly. I have ~50 letters that are still in my desk. After 9 years, I can still only get through about half of them before it's too much. My point is that if taking an action can have a positive mental effect on the receiver and the giver, let them express it. People express compassion in different ways and the more they want to express compassion, the more they want the recipient to really, truly know how deeply and sincere they feel. Those actions can vary widely. Stop being so fucking selfish that you won't allow people to express compassion in the way they know how.


In conclusion, I thought this was wonderful and should be repeated:
>> ^SDGundamX:

I'm going to borrow Georgia Harkness's argument from her book above that when we pray for others at the very least we are taking a moment from our mostly self-centered lives in order to cultivate compassion for another human being. Personally, I think regardless of whether or not intercessory prayer works, it no more a waste of time than saying "I hope he gets better." It's an act of humanity and compassion to feel for a fellow human who is suffering.

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The duration of this video has been updated from unknown to 2:09 - length declared by radx.