Christianity,  Culture

Howling about Hume not Hitchens

Peter Wehner’s article at National Review Online is right on target about Brit “Humes’ Gentle Witness“. Wehner rightly points out the double-standard of those who cry foul against Hume’s remarks about Buddhism. He writes,

“When Christopher Hitchens, whom I like and whose company I enjoy, appeared on television shows promoting his book God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything, he was far more critical of Christianity than Hume was of Buddhism. Yet I don’t recall the Left saying that those criticisms were inappropriate for public debate. In fact, they weren’t — and neither are Hume’s words. Furthermore, those who are unnerved by Hume’s ‘sectarianism’ were untroubled by the aggressive atheism of Hitchens.”

He concludes,

“Brit Hume is rightly recognized as one of the finest journalists of his generation. He also turns out to be a man of deep Christian faith who isn’t afraid to say so. That makes him not only rare, but very nearly unique. And admirable.”

This one is worth the time to read. You can do so here.

7 Comments

  • Mrs. Webfoot

    Don:
    Great article. In a pluralistic society, let there be a clash of ideas, and may the best ideas win.>>>>

    I agree heartily, Don.

    I heard Brit Hume on Fox News Sunday. It was great. He is right, of course.

    I have always liked him, and now I know that he is a Christian. That is wonderful to know.

    Let the lions roar. What Brit said encouraged me.

  • David Vinzant

    The key difference is that Hitchens is generally an interviewee, while Hume is an interviewer. Journalists are expected to maintain a sense of objectivity. Hume used to be a journalist. In recent years, he has become an opinionator.

  • Denny Burk

    David,

    Hume left the anchor’s chair last year. He now appears on Fox as an analyst and commentator. In this particular instance, he was not the host or the interviewer. He was in the opinionator’s chair.

    Denny

  • Siddarth

    Brit Hume will recover as a Commentator. Whether he can recover as a person I think is a very open question, and it’s a tragic situation for him. I think he’s lost his humility, it’s not clear to me if he’ll be able to have a relationship with decent people, but the Brit Hume that emerges once the news value dies out of this scandal — the extent to which he can recover — seems to me to depend on his faith. He’s said to be a Christian; I don’t think that faith offers the kind of teachings on humility and moderate speech that is offered by the Buddhist faith. So my message to Brit would be, ‘Brit, turn to the Buddhist way and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world.

  • Brian Krieger

    Christianity is first and foremost a faith of humility (Christ was lower than the angels for a time). What Hume spoke was not a conjuring of man, for to claim an elevated position over another’s words without anything outside of one’s self would be prideful. But this is God’s characterizing of himself. Hume was elevating not himself, but God. As Paul said, my boast is in the Lord. As far as Hume recovering as a person, I would say that being persecuted for the sake of righteousness might be what happens.

    Proverbs:
    The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility.

    Acts:
    serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials

    Ephesians:
    with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,

    Job:
    When you are cast down, you will speak with confidence and the humble person He will save.

    Philippians:
    Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

    Colossians:
    So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

    1 Peter
    GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.

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