Morality Minus Deity.
There are two reasons this piece is a must-read. First of all, read for the content, for the character, for the story of a young man who, although very young, was all that a man could hope to be.
Second, read it for the author. Read it so that next time someone suggests to you that all morality flows from a belief in God, you can point to Christopher Hitchens as refutation.
It is possible to question your own actions, to care deeply for your fellow man, to demonstrate profound humility, to display the greatest sensitivity, and in the end reveal what can only fairly be described as unselfish love, all without benefit of a deity.
That shouldn't be a controversial point. It isn't with unbelievers, of course, and isn't with many believers either. But there are still many Christians who cannot believe that a man can be good unless he is good with God.
Second, read it for the author. Read it so that next time someone suggests to you that all morality flows from a belief in God, you can point to Christopher Hitchens as refutation.
It is possible to question your own actions, to care deeply for your fellow man, to demonstrate profound humility, to display the greatest sensitivity, and in the end reveal what can only fairly be described as unselfish love, all without benefit of a deity.
That shouldn't be a controversial point. It isn't with unbelievers, of course, and isn't with many believers either. But there are still many Christians who cannot believe that a man can be good unless he is good with God.
This entry was posted by Michael Reynolds, on
Friday, October 05, 2007.
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10:47 PM
Thank you for the link to this article. I've always enjoyed reading your blog, and I appreciate your honesty and how you can get right to the heart of the matter with only a few words. Thanks again.
10:37 AM
Thanks for the link, my friend. What a combination of hope and despair. How easy it is to forget these brave young men who pay the price for political theorists.