Keep in mind that Christopher Hitchens is the only author on Earth with the gonads to write a book condemning Mother Teresa. Well, Hitchens doesn't like Christmas either, and he is appalled by the calls for more reminders of Christmas in public buildings.
Says Hitchens:
[T]there are millions of well-appointed buildings all across the United States, most of them tax-exempt and some of them receiving state subventions, where anyone can go at any time and celebrate miraculous births and pregnant virgins all day and all night if they so desire. These places are known as "churches," and they can also force passersby to look at the displays and billboards they erect and to give ear to the bells that they ring. In addition, they can count on numberless radio and TV stations to beam their stuff all through the ether. If this is not sufficient, then god damn them. God damn them everyone.
He also points out that North Korean refugees say Christianity reminds them too much of Kim Jung-Il's police state. Apparently, the Dear Leader claims to have had a divinely inspired birth. No wonder the North Koreans are wary.
Frank Warner
He should just look at Christmas as an excuse to get together with the rest of his family. I sympathise with him feeling the religious aspects are a bit silly but they're also pretty inoffensive.
That guy needs to seriously lighten up :) Hey, it's possible to enjoy Christmas (or Hannukah or whatever) without having to be a devout believer...
Posted by: Nicholas | December 26, 2005 at 06:48 AM
He may be a grinch, but he's our grinch!
Posted by: jj mollo | December 28, 2005 at 01:42 AM
Or maybe a son-of-a-grinch.
Posted by: jj mollo | December 28, 2005 at 01:43 AM
Right, JJ. For Hitchens, Mother Teresa and Christmas are recreation.
We know when he's serious.
Posted by: Frank Warner | December 28, 2005 at 01:55 AM