Although I believe that most thinkers of this world (including often myself) can be befuddled by the complex and nuanced realities in which we all exist, and although I believe that the simplification of subjects can lead to fruitful and deeper understandings of their essences, I also believe that Mr. Hitchens offered little to the debate over the negative or positive qualities of religion. Having studied his book God Is Not Great I feel confident in saying that Hitchens’ arguments concerning religion did help foster debate and controversy; however I believe that a more nuanced treatment of any subject as complex as monotheism is the only productive avenue for their discussion.
- As a professor with a doctorate and two master's degrees in separate fields of study
I agree with Jason Cowley who, in the Financial Times, said this: "[Hitchens'] will be remembered more for his prodigious output and for his swaggering, rhetorical style."
-What you fail to include is the first word of the sentence you quote, which as you know was "unfortunately". The article you pulled it from was written by a man that obviously held Hitchens intellect in high regard. Context is king.I believe that a more nuanced treatment of any subject as complex as monotheism is the only productive avenue for their discussion.
-Of course you do, you are a believer. For many people it's not a complex issue at all, it's actually quite simple. For many people, religions omnipresence in our society and in our public policy is simply wrong. All topics are complex to those that are deeply engaged in them. Hemingway wrote extensively about the complexities and beauty of bull fighting but to most people its just a man painfully and slowly slaughtering a living creature. Monotheism is no different in that it appears complex until you take a step back and approach it from a high level, then what it is and why it exists becomes more simply observed. This is what Hitchens did well and it's hard for many believers to hear/read because their justification for irrationality lies within the nuance. What Hitchens also did well was use colorful language and humor to inflate his point to hyperbolic levels -No doubt about it.