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Hitchens and The Rage Against God

Author: Stuart McAllister
Date: 21.06.2010
Category: Truth & Pluralism

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In the ongoing discussions of secularization and its merits, value, threats, or significance, a recent book is contributing to the discussion, in particular, the aggressive vision of the New Atheists and some of their strident claims.

The author Peter Hitchens is the brother of Christopher, whose writings and speaking is contributing a lot of polemic and perspective on "religion" as (he might claim) at best ignored and hopefully, rejected. Peter’s book (The Rage Against God) provides an informative contrast, and as an ex Trotskyist with much experience of left leaning politics as well as first hand encounters of the Soviet era, he offers some insightful pushback.

Will the world be better without religion? Should we prevent children from being influenced by religious parents? Is a secular utopia possible and have we learned anything from the failed experiments of such in the 20th century? These and other similar questions are tackled with vigour in Peter Hitchens new book, and they may stimulate us to take a more serious look at these questions.

Keywords: Christopher Hitchens, Peter Hitchens, Religion, Atheism, The New Atheists, New Atheism, Faith, Belief, Culture, Secularity, Books, Media

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Religions both bind and divide people. The word "religion" has the Latin word for binding in it. Those within a religion are bound together usually culturally as well as their worldview and beliefs. But what is needed is "faith" that unites people in love, purpose and service. As a missionary serving in Asia I soon found friends among other denominations and indeed other religions. While I was not able to unite in faith with all, I did find it possible to unite in serving even those whose religions often responded critically to Christianity. I don’t think we will ever see "religion" or a desire to somehow relate to the unseen spiritual presence eliminated. It is part of mankind’s DNA. Some may be able to spurn it and even to decry against it, most are born with a yearning for some kind of relationship with the unseen spiritual forces they perceive to influence their world. And what a joy to see those who respond to spiritual truth with faith and obedience. I think Paul would tell us with his Greek to "keep on keeping on" as we have won the race, we just haven’t come to the end of it yet!

01.07.2010