Letters to a Young Contrarian Chapter 10

           So far in this novel, I have noticed that Hitchens creates patterns, and often includes recurring themes. In past chapters, he has described his disdain for organized religion and challenged those who do practice religion. I noticed more of that in chapter ten, especially when he referred to religion as "masochistic". While this seemed like a very intense statement at first, I realized it makes sense the more I thought about it. The Bible includes a large amount of rules and guidelines that devoted Christians are supposed to follow, but many of them promote revenge, racism, sexism, and many other controversial ideals. In a way, the Bible wants traitors and people who are different to be punished, thus living up to Hitchens's term, "masochistic".

          Another passage about religion was on page 63; "If people cease to believe in God they do not believe in nothing but in anything". I am actually so intrigued by this statement, and I find it very enlightening. Often times, people who believe in God look down upon or even pity those who do not believe in God. I have even experienced this in my life; people I know have felt sorry for me because I do not believe in God and I do not practice organized religion. Religious people may think that non-believers are foolish for "believing in nothing", but Hitchens's think that non-believers "believe in everything", and I agree. Just because I don't believe in God doesn't mean I have no beliefs. I believe in everything around me. I believe in humanity, in nature, in society. I believe that the world around me will work out in its own way; I have faith that the universe and everything within it will just do what it needs to, and I don't need a God to tell me that.