The Immoral Teachings of Christianity

The video I used for my multimedia response is a YouTube clip about a conference in Las Vegas. This conference was held July 10-12 and was a Free-thinkers gathering to share and discuss theology and other aspects of religious dogmas. The speaker was none other than the eloquent Christopher Hitchens. The segment was about the immoral teachings that Christianity imposes on its believers. Hitchens quoted C.S. Lewis to iterate his opinion that the disciples who followed Jesus would have to be sick, demented, or complete lunatics. He believes all of the teachings of Jesus were ridiculous, immoral, and absurd fabrications created by a mad man. Hitchens believes that the very foundation of Christianity is unquestionably immoral. He believes the very idea of a man taking the sins of all others is depriving us of our responsibility. One’s problems and sins should be pushed towards them; their problems should be overcome by them and only them. Hitchens says that believing in Jesus is an escape from our dilemmas, and is immoral and unethical. Hitchens believes that these teachings and beliefs are damaging physically and morally to humans. Hitchens asserted that, “The teachings of Christianity are immoral teachings that have done and continue to inflict untold moral and physical harm on our species.” He then goes on to say once we have eliminated these hysterical beliefs; we will finally be emancipated and free.
Before I make a proper response, I want to make a note that, to me, not all teachings of Christianity are harmful and many have promoted prosperity and generosity throughout the world. Hitchens is looking from a psychological perspective of how clinging to something, especially religion, could create harmful effects mentally on a person. This is very true. No one should provincially follow a dogma without first taking in all the evidence. Clinging to a religion and not taking responsibility for one’s actions is an unhealthy practice. Peering through a psychological point of view, I could absolutely see his thought process. Otherwise, the teachings of Christianity have the same morals as any other religion, such as Buddhism, of helping others and being kind to one another. I do not think you should single out religions for moral practices, when others articulate similar doctrines. But, of course, Hitchens would say that all religions are immoral and should be eradicated. I do believe, though, that religion is a guideline to becoming a better person, and that it does teach meaningful principles, even though it does promote conformity. Looking past the discrepancies, Hitchens and I do have a similar stance on some of the instances he mentioned.
"The Immoral Teachings of Christianity." YouTube. Web. 15 Apr 2010. .