Don't Pray for Christopher Hitchens

For some, Monday, September 20, was "Everybody Pray for Hitchens Day." But if you truly want to support Christopher Hitchens as he undergoes treatment for esophageal cancer, don't pray for him on any day.

One of the most well known biblical commandments is to love one's neighbor as one loves oneself. Rabbinic sages spanning the ages have offered a variety of ways to understand and observe it. Hillel, one of the greats, interpreted the verse this way: "What is hateful to you do not do to another. The rest is commentary. Go and learn it."

In the case of Christopher Hitchens, whom I just had the great pleasure of meeting and hearing debate Rabbi Shmuley Boteach (who also stated that he would be offering prayers for Hitchens' healing), I'd like to offer a slightly different interpretation of this verse for those who take it seriously and for those for whom the verse may even be the catalyst for their well-intentioned efforts to create such a day.

As Mr. Hitchens' beliefs regarding God and religion are more than common knowledge, perhaps abstaining from doing that which is hateful to him is the best way for anyone who calls him- or herself a "person of faith" to uphold this biblical proscription.

Mr. Hitchens, who is the consummate gentleman, has been mostly tolerant of the array of religious groups who have organized this day of prayer despite his firm objections. Yet it seems quite intolerant, disrespectful, and contrary to religious practice to pray for a man who has stated firmly and clearly that he wants no such thing.

Sometimes being a person of faith -- being a person in general -- means putting the needs of another before one's own. Christopher Hitchens neither wants nor needs our prayers. This is hateful to him. The rest is commentary. Go and learn it.

 

Comments

[Jeff Norman]

11:13 PM on 10/02/2010

Rabbi, what exactly did Hitchens say that makes you think he regards praying for him as hateful? My impression is he doesn't really care if people pray for him or not. Why do you interpret it as an imposition on him?

Is this really some sort of a problem?

"When September 20 comes, please do not trouble deaf heaven with your bootless cries. Unless, of course, it makes you feel better." - Christopher Hitchens

[kevinw]

10:20 PM on 09/26/2010

You don't pray for someone because they believe, you pray for them because you believe.

[Sam1jere]

07:18 AM on 09/27/2010

Touche. Like love and all that's good in this life, it's a conscious decision regardless; no strings attached. Mature.

[angryoldman]

06:43 PM on 09/26/2010

A persons religious beliefs or lack thereof, should be a personal, private affair.The problem with todays religionists is that they insist upon spewing their points of view and dogmaticism on anyone within shouting distance whether they want to hear it or not.(and believe me, most non believers have not come to their world view without considerable "soul" searching) so we grow weary of the constant unsolicited, eschatological sermonizing and offers of apotropaic. voodoo talismans.

[Eric Mann]

04:33 PM on 09/26/2010

A the end of the day, its all about the Jewish vs. the Christian interpretation. Rabbi Krause here is right-if it is hateful to them, then don't do it. The Christian version says "if you like it, then do it for other people" presupposes the idea that all people like what you like. It is presumptuous, at best, to believe that everyone will like what you like.

[ballesterchoice]

06:15 AM on 09/26/2010

This makes so no sense whatsoever. Who we pray for and why we do is personal and private. I will pray for Hitch. Nobody should tell anyone not too. I just don't understand why anyone would ever say not to pray for someone.

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/05/ta052109.html

[Eric Mann]

04:29 PM on 09/26/2010

Because it is hateful for that person. Did you actually read the post?

[Eric Mann]

04:30 PM on 09/26/2010

Its the organized "let's pray for Christopher Hutchins Day" that she is focusing on.

[Raymond SaintPierre]

10:16 PM on 09/25/2010

As a devout atheist myslef, I completely concur. I would feel both insulted and demeaned that people specifically imposed their views and wishes on mine, regardless of their so-called intentions, which are questionable when they are so diametrically opposed to ones stated wishes.

[xlntcat]

06:51 AM on 09/25/2010

I view prayer as between me and a power greater than myself and appropriate prayer cedes my will to God's will.  I see nothing adverse about praying for comfort for the sick nor do I feel obligated to share that prayer with those who believe it has no value to them in an attempt t impose my belief system on to them.

[Eric Mann]

04:30 PM on 09/26/2010

Its the organized "let's pray for Christopher Hutchins Day" that she is focusing on.

[Sulekha A Qambi]

12:47 AM on 09/25/2010

he still has time to turn to God, and i hope he does because it is the right decision

[Eric Mann]

04:29 PM on 09/26/2010

according to you

[insaneredneck]

01:38 AM on 10/02/2010

prove it,that it is the "right" decision.

[jeplanet]

08:34 PM on 09/24/2010

I don't think that Christopher Hitchens views a belief in God as hat.eful; which it seems to me is your premise here. He (and I agree) believes that man's abuse of religion for their own purposes is what's hat.eful.
If people say they are praying for me, that makes me feel nice. In the same way it would make me feel nice to hear "I'm thinking of you".
The fact that I don't believe anyone hears these prayers, does not reduce the kindness that I believe they hold.
Therefore, I don't think telling people NOT to pray for CH is any less senseless than telling them TO pray for him, out of some show of hauty indignation. And frankly, I think it's a little mean.
IMO

[onceler]

05:24 PM on 09/24/2010

Thank you so much for writing this thoughtful piece. I've always thought that the 'golden rule' of Christianity was insufficient. It doesn't say to "love others as you love yourself", it says to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Therefore, since Christian fanatics would want to be prayed for, you are in keeping with the golden rule in praying for someone who doesn't want to be prayed for. The real 'golden rule' would be to do unto others as they would have you do unto them.

[answersNOW]

03:23 PM on 09/24/2010

If people are praying for Hitchen's healing, they should stop. Why? Simple, if they believe in the Bible, vs just claim to for image's sake, they would be following its directions.
1. According to YOUR faith. Hitchen's has expressed no faith, & isn't claiming healing.
2. Is any sick...call for the elders... Hitchen's hasn't called for any "elders".
3. Let the elders lay hands on the sick and pray and anoint them with oil... Only AFTER the sick person ASKS for it. Hitchen's hasn't asked for it.
4. There are other reasons... but the main point is, it is up to Mr. Hitchens to request such prayer, not for the believer to initiate his prayer or request for him.

Why don't those who profess the Bible listen to and do what it says? It's easier to "profess" something versus actually doing it.

Besides, it also says "NO MAN can come to the Father" except through His calling of the man. Other humans cannot take charge of what the Creator says is His job.

One can and should be concerned about Mr. Hitchen's and his well-being and happiness as a fellow human, and as in even loving a neighbor, or an enemy. But, that does not mean to do for him what he doesn't wish himself.

It also says, "BE READY always to GIVE an ANSWER of the faith within you...." As far as I can tell, Hitchen's hasn't asked the question....

[jeplanet]

08:38 PM on 09/24/2010

When asked, I tell people my religion is:
"I'll see when I get there".
Yet so many refuse to believe that I'm fine with that. As though I'm denying myself some greater truth.
It's mildly frustrating at times; mostly when I'm dealing with my born-again Mother.
:)

[Passerineblue]

02:57 PM on 09/24/2010

Is there a way I can get the LDS from baptizing my ancestors without my consent? Sort of the same thing. I guess I shouldn't care, but since I know most of them were protestant ministers and their wives, I am pretty sure they wouldn't want to be baptized by Joseph Smith's adherents.

[gavrielle]

12:03 PM on 09/24/2010

I'm with Mr. Hitchens. Having people pray for you means God notices you and then sends more trouble your way as a test of faith, or to "help" you find him. Well, I found him and told him to go away and leave me alone. I don't need any more tests of my faith, because I'd long since lost it thanks to his constant BS tests. In essence, we have a deal: I don't ask him for favors and he doesn't bother me with stupid tests. It's only when others start praying for me that I start to have problems again. Now, when anyone asks me how things are going, I always lie and tell them it's going great, otherwise they might start to pray for me again.

[cleanhippie]

10:43 AM on 09/24/2010

Hitchens does not have a "belief about god", he has NO belief at all. Get it right next time, ok?

[onceler]

05:25 PM on 09/24/2010

aw come on, she seems to be trying to do the right thing here. close enough, I say...

[cleanhippie]

10:30 AM on 09/25/2010

"Close enough" is only for horseshoes, hand grenades and nuclear bombs.

What I think you fail to see is that the difference is big enough to change the meaning and therefore the context of the conversation. Atheism is NOT a belief like religion is.

[Ed Carroll]

10:33 AM on 09/24/2010

I don't know Hitchens' mind, but personally I vehemently reject prayers to awaken the religious to the fact that their invasiveness in my life will be vigilantly resisted and rejected at every step, even with something as silly and harmless as prayer.