Many know Christopher Hitchens as one of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, or aka as one of the famous neo-atheists. Despite his death in 2011, their remains thousands of videos on youtube giving witness to this controversial journalist. His books and essays are still being published, and his popularity has not decreased.
To those who know the name of Christopher Hitchens, there is practically no spectrum in his likability: Those who know him either hate him or love him. I've seen Christians, Jews, and especially Muslims who seethe with rage and contempt for the man as if Hitchens were the devil himself. Others like Richard Dawkins (another member of the four horsemen) praise Hitchens as one of the greatest Atheist apologists and religious basher of all time.
Yet, few know about Hitchens other opinions and his uniqueness. Few know about his battles for free speech, his fantastic writing style, breathtaking speeches and courage to stand up against overwhelming opposition.
This bravery could be found when despite many liberals and socialist stood against the Iraq war Hitchens still remained faithful to his beliefs that the overthrow of Saddam was crucial, and therefore the Iraq war justified (despite himself being a socialist). Christopher refused to call Atheists more moral or intelligent just because they were Atheists and often stood up for the rights of opponents and their right to speak. The man was good-natured, insightful and humble to admit when he lost a battle.
Many do who dislike Hitchens do not admit this and don’t know how much of a hero he was to free speech. Despite being a Christian and disagreeing with Hitchens on many points, I believe Hitchens was not only a powerful voice for our times but a hero of free speech.
Like many other major Atheist writers, Hitchens found his inspiration to write books such as "god is not Great" after 9/11. He once remarked during a live interview that he "found a certain sense of exhilaration on September the 11th which has not left me since. I thought 'here if you want it is the enemy absolutely in plain view.' All the things I write about in my books: intolerance racism, stupidity, religious cultism ... are its means and its ends... The means are dead bodies, and they use civilians to kill civilians ... 'Right' I thought. 'Now I absolutely know what side I'm on.'" Within this scathing criticism of Islam is the sense of inspiration which many gained after 9/11 to criticize not only Islam but all religious beliefs.
Hitchens does not hold back. He says what he wants when he wants. This willingness to say what he truly believes no matter what makes him genuine. Hitchens refuses to back down even when his ideas are unpopular. This ability to stand up to whatever opposition would shine when the word “Islamophobia” first appeared.
In a debate over the importance of free speech, he outlined what he believed to be one of the greatest threats to freedom of expression: Islamophobia. "Not all Monotheisms are exactly the same at the moment. They're all based on the same illusion ... But there's one in particular that at the moment is proposing a menace to not just freedom of speech and freedom of expression, but to quite a lot of other freedoms to ... I'm talking about Islam." Hitchens, despite hating all religions, at least recognizes that some worldviews are more destructive. Criticism of radical Islam is slowly becoming a crime in the West (look up Canada's passing of the motion M-103), which Hitchens not only fought but predicted.
Many believe that the ban of criticism on Islam is justified because the Muslim community is oppressed and marginalized. Despite this, Islam is a massive power which controls the Middle East and North Africa, as well as much of the world's oil supply. "Yet our society supposes it as a cringing minority whose faith you might offend which deserves all the protection that a small and unbearable group might need." Despite all the criticisms of Christianity, despite all of the criticisms of Judaism and the state of Israel, and of Atheism as well, there has been no creation of ideological words such as Christianophobia, Judeophobia, or Atheistphobia. Yet, as Hitchens stated, Islam gets a free pass.
He goes on to point out that those who free Islam from criticism in effect give Muslims the free pass to be intolerant. "'Behead those;' this is in London ... Toronto ... New York. It's right here in our midst now. 'Behead those!' Do they get arrested for hate speech? No. Might I get in trouble for what I just said about the prophet Muhammad? Yes, I might. Where are your priorities ladies and gentlemen? You're giving away what's most precious in your society."
Despite being labeled an Islamophobe, receiving multiple threats, and having an unpopular view Hitchens continuous to slam a point which we all have best to listen to: the protection of one idea group over others leads to intolerance of all others.
As I write this article I do not wish to paint all Muslims as terrorists or say that Islam is a harmless religion. Instead, I am pointing to Hitchens' critique of the protection of ideas. Hitchens has never argued to take away the rights of Muslims. The biggest reason I love Hitchens is because he points to the moral hypocrisy of individuals who protect their ideas, and yet are intolerant of all others. Isn’t it suspicious when those who call Islam a religion of peace protect their view from criticism?
I disagree with many of the things Hitchens wrote and said. Despite this, I look upon him as a genuine, intelligent and skilled individual. His writings are superb, and he stuck to his opinions until the end (see his book "Mortality"). I was sad when I found out about his death, but I still continue to listen to his lectures and read his books. I wish he was still alive.
Hitchens had a powerful voice. Although he detested my faith, he never tried to silence opponents, but instead faced them head on. He even defended their right to talk. Hitchens was a fantastic man, and his rich writing style and voice will be missed.
