Quote by Christopher Hitchens
I am not even an atheist so much as an antitheist; I not only maintain that all religions are versions of the same untruth, but I hold that the influence of churches and the effect of religious belief, is positively harmful. Reviewing the false claims of religion I do not wish, as some sentimental materialists affect to wish, that they were true. I do not envy believers their faith. I am relieved to think that the whole story is a sinister fairy tale; life would be miserable if what the faithful affirmed was actually true.... There may be people who wish to live their lives under cradle-to-grave divine supervision, a permanent surveillance and monitoring. But I cannot imagine anything more horrible or grotesque.
Summary
In this quote, the author expresses their strong stance as an antitheist rather than simply an atheist. They assert that all religions are different versions of falsehoods and deem the influence of organized religion and religious beliefs as harmful rather than beneficial. The author refutes the notion that they wish these religious claims were true, as some materialists suggest, and instead feels relieved that it is all an elaborate fiction. They find the idea of living under constant divine surveillance or monitoring to be horrific and grotesque. Overall, the quote illustrates the author's rejection of religion and emphasizes their skepticism towards its claims and practices.
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