[Concerning monotheistic religions] The only thing these hysterical cults have in common is the belief that this world will be consumed, and… — Christopher Hitchens Copy Share Image
The moment of near despair is quite often the moment that precedes courage. — Christopher Hitchens Copy Share Image
In an average day, you may well be confronted with some species of bullying or bigotry, or some ill-phrased appeal to the… — Christopher Hitchens Copy Share Image
I have not been able to discover whether there exists a precise French equivalent for the common Anglo-American expression 'killing time.' It's… — Christopher Hitchens Copy Share Image
I can't find the compulsory mutilation of the genitals of children a subject for humor... It's designed to repress sexual pleasure... The… — Christopher Hitchens Copy Share Image
Everyone in Iran is perceived to be a child with a paternal authority vested in the Guardian Council and the Sufi elders.… — Christopher Hitchens Copy Share Image
It's impossible, I think, however much I'd become disillusioned politically or evolve into a post-political person, I don't think I'd ever change… — Christopher Hitchens Copy Share Image
“The spirit of our accurate and exact philosophy is outraged by conclusions that contradict each other so glaringly.” — Christopher Hitchens Copy Share Image
“Many governments employ torture but this was the first time that the element of Saturnalia and pornography in the process had been made so clear to me. If you care to imagine what any inadequate or cruel man might do, given unlimited power over a woman, then anything that you can bring yourself to suspect was what became routine in… — Christopher Hitchens Copy Share
It's [Los Angeles] mostly full of nonsense and delusion and egomania. They think they'll be young and beautiful forever, even though most of them… — Christopher Hitchens Copy Share Image
To be against rationalization is not the same as to be opposed to reasoning. — Christopher Hitchens Copy Share Image
[Religion] attacks us in our deepest integrity - the core of our self-respect. Religion says that we would not know right from wrong, we would not know an evil, wicked act from a decent human act without divine permission, without divine authority or without, even worse, either the fear of a divine punishment or the hope of a divine reward.… — Christopher Hitchens Copy Share
“In the very recent past, we have seen the Church of Rome befouled by its complicity with the unpardonable sin of child rape, or,… — Christopher Hitchens Copy Share Image
It's surprising to me how many of my friends send Christmas cards, or holiday cards, including my atheist and secular friends. — Christopher Hitchens Copy Share Image
Suppose there were groups of secularists at hospitals who went round the terminally ill and urged them to adopt atheism: 'Don't be a mug… — Christopher Hitchens Copy Share Image
There are, after all, atheists who say they wish the fable were true but are unable to suspend the requisite disbelief, or who have… — Christopher Hitchens Copy Share Image
“It isn’t so long since a test of Anglican orthodoxy was applied to anyone seeking to study or teach at Oxford and Cambridge universities. One of the most celebrated victims of this theocratic policy was Shelley (1792-1811) who was expelled from University College, Oxford, for writing a pamphlet entitled The Necessity of Atheism. He and his poetry were much influenced… — Christopher Hitchens Copy Share
Gullibility and credulity are considered undesireable qualities in every department of human life - except religion ... Why are we praised by godly men… — Christopher Hitchens Copy Share Image
It's much worse to see a woman drunk than a man: I don't know quite why this is true but it just is. Don't… — Christopher Hitchens Copy Share Image