# Religious people who are being dicks in the Christopher Hitchens thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 16, 2011, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413 "2011-12-16T15:19:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413/61 "2011-12-16T17:56:59Z")
This is dumb. When Jack Chick kicks the bucket, do you think we’re all going to say “I sincerely hope he is with the God he believed in.”? I’m pretty much an atheist, and I will never understand other atheists tendency to get butthurt and defensive about tiny slights. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413/62 "2011-12-16T18:03:04Z")
Except when Chick dies, _nobody_ on this board is going to be saddened by it. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413/63 "2011-12-16T18:04:14Z")
> [@Duke](#): > > Yeah, but how far down the rabbit hole does that go? If a notorious serial murderer/child molester/genocidist dies, should everybody be respectful in that thread? “Huh, Pol Pot has died. We should applaud him for his innovative methods in population control.” That’s a fair point. I kinda doubt anyone is going to start a respectful thread about Pol Pot–and if they did, I know there would be an immediate Pit thread suitable for venting about him and his fanclub. My preference would be to have the OP set the tone. If it’s a respectful OP, then posters to that thread should keep it respectful. Those that disagree can start another thread in the same forum or in the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413/64 "2011-12-16T18:04:41Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > “If they did not believe Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” This is a non sequitur. I’ve never seen Moses and the prophets. Neither have you. I’ve been told stories about them. So have you. Now, if Hitchens rose from the dead and started praising Jesus’s name and halleluia, it would give me pause. This fact has no relation to whether I currently believe some 3000-year-old creation myths are actually fiction or not. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413/65 "2011-12-16T18:06:58Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > This is dumb. When Jack Chick kicks the bucket, do you think we’re all going to say “I sincerely hope he is with the God he believed in.”? Nope. But also not going to celebrate it or comment much on it, either, which is rather the point. Presumably, Christians aren’t supposed to act like dicks. Atheists don’t have a religious constraint on dickitude but most choose not to act like dicks, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413/66 "2011-12-16T18:08:01Z")
Man, some people take offense at anything. **Sampiro** sort of started it, and I laughed like hell when I read his post. And I expect nothing less from him-- certainly one of the quickest wits on this MB. Then a few other sincere Christians joined in. BFD. Hitch was nothing, if not controversial, and I can’t imagine he’d give a shit what Christians thought. This thread is one big mess of butthurtedness. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413/67 "2011-12-16T18:08:41Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > \<— GD is that way. And the nutward is this way: **↑** ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413/68 "2011-12-16T18:10:27Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > …This thread is one big mess of butthurtedness. Yup. For anyone taking it seriously that is. Knife-fight! In Panama! ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413/69 "2011-12-16T18:10:38Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > Point to the post where a Christian has expressed happiness that the man has died. If you need to go back to other atheists who have died I’ll accept that as well. If you find them I’ll join you in proclaiming their hypocrisy. I was speaking generally. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413/70 "2011-12-16T18:11:13Z")
I’m very much an open and vocal atheist. When I die (which I won’t since the absence of god means there is no need for a mechanism to deliver people to heaven), if anybody religious wants to say “I hope he found peace with god because otherwise, based on what I believe, I think he’s going to be unhappy with being dead” I don’t care at all. Similarly, when my religious friends die I hope they don’t take it the wrong way when I’m thinking, “boy, if only she could be disappointed right now.” I just find it hard to take “I believe X is necessary fro him to be happy right now, so I really hope X happened” as particularly mean-spirited. Especially when the topic is a man who never shied away from speaking his view of truth regardless of whether social niceties might dictate otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413/71 "2011-12-16T18:13:40Z")
When I’m dead, I won’t be able to care what anyone says. BECAUSE I WILL BE DEAD! Gone. Outta here. Nonexistent. Say whatever the hell you want. Funerals, eulogies and wakes are for the living. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413/72 "2011-12-16T18:14:52Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > I would pray for anyone when they die (and preferably beforehand) to find reconciliation with God. Does that make me a dick? As long as you do it silently…no. If you open your mouth and spew it out in public, especially to someone who is very ill…yes. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413/73 "2011-12-16T18:17:05Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > This is a non sequitur. I’ve never seen Moses and the prophets. Neither have you. I’ve been told stories about them. So have you. > > Now, if Hitchens rose from the dead and started praising Jesus’s name and halleluia, it would give me pause. This fact has no relation to whether I currently believe some 3000-year-old creation myths are actually fiction or not. Sorry, I was just quoting the response to **Slithy Tove** ’s comment. In the Gospel of Luke, a rich man dies and goes to torment. He begs Abraham for relief. When Abraham responds that it’s not possible, the rich man begs to have Lazarus (who is in paradise) go back and warn the rich man’s family, because they will believe if someone comes back from the dead. **Slithy Tove** was echoing the rich man’s request, and I responded by quoting Abraham’s response. I wasn’t trying to make any other point. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413/74 "2011-12-16T18:19:15Z")
How come no one quoted the post that started this? > [@Christopher Hitchens just died](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christopher-hitchens-just-died/606384/7): > > He’s with Jesus now. So you guys are upset with Sampiro, right? He’s the one who started this. He’s the one who **Pandabear** quoted, either feeling insulted enough to comment or thinking that talking about religion was okay. And then people commenting on that is what led to **Shodan** coming in and showing solidarity (while at the same time making a nice point that this is how Hitchens treated other people.) You guys are the ones constantly telling Christians (along with other, nonreligious groups) that they have no right to be offended. That we Dopers have no reason to coddle your offense. So why should I feel sorry for you when the people you are pitting had as much desire to offend you as **Sampiro** did? You are offended. They are not offensive. You have the problem. They don’t. Deal with it. > [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Ooh, who’s a little special snowflake? **Shodan** is a little special snowflake! You poor thing, hoping that this Pit thread was going to be all about you and then having your hopes so desperately dashed by not even being the first person quoted in the OP. > > And besides, I didn’t say that I don’t care. Of _course_ I care. I am devastated that you would ever think otherwise. I just don’t find you particularly relevant or, usually, interesting. > > Are you going to be OK now? I can start a support thread for you in MPSIMS if you feel you need one. Oh, the irony, it BURNS. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413/75 "2011-12-16T18:20:19Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > I was speaking generally. So, no examples then, just something you’re projecting on them. > [@Clothahump](#): > > As long as you do it silently…no. If you open your mouth and spew it out in public, especially to someone who is very ill…yes. I don’t disagree. ---
**Author:** ![Crawlspace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Crawlspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crawlspace)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413/76 "2011-12-16T18:31:46Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > I’m (truly) sorry you feel that way. I can’t really see how I’m hurting anyone though. I said it was sanctimonious, not hurtful. Bringing up you’re perceived moral and religious superiority in a thread about the death of an avowed atheist is as crass as hoping a Jewish person accepted Jesus as their lord and savior on their deathbed. I would have had much less of a problem if you took issue with some of his more belligerent statements and stated your hope that he didn’t die angry at the world (or something similar). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413/77 "2011-12-16T18:35:34Z")
I thought that Sampiro’s “He’s with Jesus now” was hilarious because of the multi-levels of snark. I will Hitchens’ writings in the future much like I will miss Leni Reifenstahl’s ceasing to work after her death at 105. Hitchens was a big war monger, in addition to being a very talented writer. I’ll miss his great writing, but if there is one more useless war that he does not contribute to the start of, I count this as a win for humanity. As for him being an atheist (and me not), he was just speaking his truth and the way he did that garners my respect. But is still far outweighed by war mongering. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413/78 "2011-12-16T18:35:52Z")
> [@Crawlspace](#): > > I said it was sanctimonious, not hurtful. Bringing up you’re perceived moral and religious superiority in a thread about the death of an avowed atheist is as crass as hoping a Jewish person accepted Jesus as their lord and savior on their deathbed. I would have had much less of a problem if you took issue with some of his more belligerent statements and stated your hope that he didn’t die angry at the world (or something similar). You’ll have to point out where I claimed moral superiority. I disavow it. You’re assigning all kinds of attitudes and motivations here I don’t posess. I never said that about Jews either. I do hope he didn’t die angry now that you mention it, but he never really seemed like an agry person to me. Abrasive and opinionated but not mad at the universe or anything. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413/79 "2011-12-16T18:36:24Z")
I can’t really get on board with this pitting, i don’t think. Firstly, what people say about threadshitting in memorial threads on this message board seems to depend, in considerable measure, upon whose particular ox is being gored. Sure, there are some people who always refrain ,on principle, but the fact is that almost any memorial thread ends up with some threadshitters, and a bunch of others telling them that they’re out of line. Second, despite the fact that i’ve been reading Hitchens for years and consider him one of the twentieth century’s greatest essayists, he was also a colossal asshole who, were he a member of this board, would never have hesitated to threadshit in a memorial thread for someone he didn’t like. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413/80 "2011-12-16T18:39:14Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > How come no one quoted the post that started this? A couple of people did comment on it right before you did, but nevermind that - it was a fucking joke, and it was extremely obvious that it was a joke. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-people-who-are-being-dicks-in-the-christopher-hitchens-thread/606413.md?page=5)