I was becoming post-ideological.
Interpretation
The quote reflects a shift away from rigid belief systems and ideologies towards a more flexible understanding of ideas.
Christopher Hitchens' statement about becoming post-ideological suggests a movement away from strict adherence to specific ideologies that often limit thinking. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and adaptability in forming oneβs beliefs, allowing for a more nuanced perspective that can embrace complexity and change without being bound by conventional labels.
In practice
In a debate on political ideologies, you might quote Hitchens to advocate for open-mindedness.
In a public dialogue with Salman in London he [Edward Said] had once described the Palestinian plight as one where his people, expelled and dispossessed by Jewish victors, were in the unique historical position of being 'the victims of the victims': there was something quasi-Christian, I thought, in the apparent humility of that statement.
What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
Never ask while you are doing it if what you are doing is fun. Don't introduce even your most reliably witty acquaintance as someone who will set the table on a roar.
[E]xceptional claims demand exceptional evidence.
The worst days are when you feel foggy in the head - chemo-brain they call it. It's awful because you feel boring. As well as bored. And stupid. And resigned.
Let me tell you something: for hundreds of thousands of years, this kind of discussion would have been impossible to have, or those like us would have been having it at the risk of our lives. Religion now comes to us in this smiley-face, ingratiating way β because itβs had to give so much more ground and because we know so much more. But youβve got no right to forget the way it behaved when it was strong, and when it really did believe that it had God on its side.
The man who has known pure joy, if only for a moment ... is the only man for whom affliction is something devastating. At the same time he is the only man who has not deserved the punishment. But, after all, for him it is no punishment; it is God holding his hand and pressing rather hard. For, if he remains constant, what he will discover buried deep under the sound of his own lamentations is the pearl of the silence of God.
The kingly office is entitled to no respect. It was originally procured by the highwayman's methods. It remains a perpetuated crime, can never be anything but the symbol of a crime. It is no more entitled to respect than is the flag of a pirate.
The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time.
Lukewarm people call 'radical' what Jesus expected of all His followers.
There is superficial conflict but deep concord between science and theistic religion, but superficial concord and deep conflict between science and naturalism
I am good to people who are good. I am also good to people who are not good. Because Virtue is goodness.
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