Some of you may know that Christopher Hitchens, the very, very British new American citizen and quite literate journalist, has been traipsing around the country talking about his new book, God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything.  As the rather blunt title suggests, it’s basically an anti-religion screed; Hitchens is, after all, a frothing-at-the-mouth secularist. 

Based on what I’ve heard Hitchens say in interviews and debates and on what others have said about the work, there’s nothing new contained therein; Hitchens just seems to regurgitate worn-out secularist arguments that have been refuted long ago by people who, although impressive in intellect, usually don’t get much ink.  Oh, as you might have gathered, I haven’t read the book.  You’ll have to forgive me, but I’ve heard all the arguments before and also much of Hitchens’ drivel.  Besides, if I want to read a bad philosopher, I’ll read one of the best ones, like Friedrich Nietzsche.

I can’t truly do this issue justice here; that will have to wait for my book and some future pieces on the subject.  But I will mention a few things.

First, let me say that, although he is considered an intellectual giant among leftists, I don’t hold Hitchens’ intellect in high regard.  His criticism of religion always seems to be long on witticisms and contempt and short on philosophical arguments.  In fact, it seems as if his main tack is to say that religious people did this, that and the other thing, have been wrong about that, this and something other, so religion must be bad.  It’s not surprising, though, since deep philosophical arguments vindicate believers and indict secularists.  The only thing the left is left with is t