The teachings of Christianity - from vicarious redemption to the love of enemies, no thought for the morrow need be taken, that no thrift or care or family or society or solidarity is necessary - these are immoral teachings that have done and continue to inflict untold moral and physical harm on our species. And until we outgrow this nonsense, we have no chance of emancipating ourselves.
Interpretation
The quote criticizes the teachings of Christianity for promoting immorality and hindering human progress.
Christopher Hitchens argues that certain fundamental teachings of Christianity, like the concepts of vicarious redemption and unconditional love, undermine personal responsibility and societal solidarity. He believes that adhering to these doctrines leads to moral and physical harm, and suggests that humanity must move beyond these beliefs to achieve true freedom and progress.
In practice
During a debate on morality, one might reference this quote to highlight the potential dangers of rigid religious doctrines.
In a public dialogue with Salman in London he [Edward Said] had once described the Palestinian plight as one where his people, expelled and dispossessed by Jewish victors, were in the unique historical position of being 'the victims of the victims': there was something quasi-Christian, I thought, in the apparent humility of that statement.
What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
Never ask while you are doing it if what you are doing is fun. Don't introduce even your most reliably witty acquaintance as someone who will set the table on a roar.
[E]xceptional claims demand exceptional evidence.
The worst days are when you feel foggy in the head - chemo-brain they call it. It's awful because you feel boring. As well as bored. And stupid. And resigned.
Let me tell you something: for hundreds of thousands of years, this kind of discussion would have been impossible to have, or those like us would have been having it at the risk of our lives. Religion now comes to us in this smiley-face, ingratiating way — because it’s had to give so much more ground and because we know so much more. But you’ve got no right to forget the way it behaved when it was strong, and when it really did believe that it had God on its side.
Every man is tasked to make his life, even in its details, worthy of the contemplation of his most elevated and critical hour.
Balk the enemy's power; force him to reveal himself.
The old religionist cried out for his god. The new religionist cries out for some god to be his.
Creating harmony amidst diversity is a fundamental issue of the twenty-first century. While celebrating the unique characteristics of different peoples and cultures, we have to create solidarity on the level of our common humanity, our common life. Without such solidarity, there will be no future for the human race. Diversity should not beget conflict in the world, but richness.
We have not overthrown the divine right of kings to fall down for the divine right of experts.
God is within you. You yourself are your creator. If you find that place in yourself from which you brought this thing about, you will be able to live with it and affirm it, perhaps even enjoy it, as your life.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.