# Mortality  ## Metadata - Author:: [[Christopher Hitchens]] - Full Title:: Mortality - Category: #books ## Highlights > In whatever kind of a "race" life may be, I have very abruptly become a finalist. ([Location 114](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B007HGPBRC&location=114)) > I sympathize afresh with the mighty Voltaire, who, when badgered on his deathbed and urged to renounce the devil, murmured that this was no time to be making enemies. ([Location 210](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B007HGPBRC&location=210)) > by Ambrose Bierce in his Devil’s Dictionary. It runs like this, and is extremely easy to comprehend: Prayer: A petition that the laws of nature be suspended in favor of the petitioner; himself confessedly unworthy. ([Location 247](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B007HGPBRC&location=247)) > Presbyterian Church famously proclaimed from Philadelphia that "by the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life and others fore-ordained for everlasting death… without any foresight of faith or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions." Plainly put, this means that it does not matter whether you try to lead a holy life, or even succeed in doing so. ([Location 277](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B007HGPBRC&location=277)) > Beyond that minor futility, the religion which treats its flock as a credulous plaything offers one of the cruelest spectacles that can be imagined: a human being in fear and doubt who is openly exploited to believe in the impossible. In the argument over prayer, then, please do not be shocked if it is we atheists who wear the pitying look as any moment of moral crisis threatens to draw near. ([Location 282](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B007HGPBRC&location=282)) > expended. In the course of his essay, he used a potent phrase to describe the position of others who suffer like this, referring to them as lying on "mattress graves." ([Location 594](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B007HGPBRC&location=594)) - Note: Dr sydney hook in medical treatment > Montaigne: "Religion’s surest foundation is the contempt for life." ([Location 798](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B007HGPBRC&location=798)) # Mortality  ## Metadata - Author:: [[Christopher Hitchens]] - Full Title:: Mortality - Category: #books ## Highlights > In whatever kind of a "race" life may be, I have very abruptly become a finalist. ([Location 114](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B007HGPBRC&location=114)) > I sympathize afresh with the mighty Voltaire, who, when badgered on his deathbed and urged to renounce the devil, murmured that this was no time to be making enemies. ([Location 210](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B007HGPBRC&location=210)) > by Ambrose Bierce in his Devil’s Dictionary. It runs like this, and is extremely easy to comprehend: Prayer: A petition that the laws of nature be suspended in favor of the petitioner; himself confessedly unworthy. ([Location 247](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B007HGPBRC&location=247)) > Presbyterian Church famously proclaimed from Philadelphia that "by the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life and others fore-ordained for everlasting death… without any foresight of faith or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions." Plainly put, this means that it does not matter whether you try to lead a holy life, or even succeed in doing so. ([Location 277](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B007HGPBRC&location=277)) > Beyond that minor futility, the religion which treats its flock as a credulous plaything offers one of the cruelest spectacles that can be imagined: a human being in fear and doubt who is openly exploited to believe in the impossible. In the argument over prayer, then, please do not be shocked if it is we atheists who wear the pitying look as any moment of moral crisis threatens to draw near. ([Location 282](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B007HGPBRC&location=282)) > expended. In the course of his essay, he used a potent phrase to describe the position of others who suffer like this, referring to them as lying on "mattress graves." ([Location 594](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B007HGPBRC&location=594)) - Note: Dr sydney hook in medical treatment > Montaigne: "Religion’s surest foundation is the contempt for life." ([Location 798](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B007HGPBRC&location=798))