The world renowned philosopher and atheist, Christopher Hitchens, revealed recently that a forming debating opponent, the outspoken Christian scientist Francis Collins, was the brains behind the new experimental cancer treatment that he is using.
Collins is the man made famous by his working on mapping the human genome, and has been involved alongside other scientists in developing a new cancer treatment that maps out the patient’s entire genetic make-up and targets damaged DNA.
Hitchens is the author of “God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything,” and was diagnosed with esophageal cancer last year. The cancer is at stage 4, and with his typical wry humour Hitchens pointed out in the same interview:
“And the thing to note about stage four is that there is no stage five.”
Before his illness Hitchens had debated Collins over the existence of God. Collins has authored “The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief.” Hitchens also revealed that despite being on opposite sides of the ‘faith fence,’ he and Collins had become firm friends.
“It is a rather wonderful relationship,” said Hitchens. “I won’t say he doesn’t pray for me, because I think he probably does; but he doesn’t discuss it with me.”
He added, “He agrees that his medical experience does not include anything that could be described as a miracle cure – he’s never come across anything.”
It was partly his trust in Collins that led to him agreeing to being a guinea pig for this new genome sequencing treatment that could possibly cure cancer.
Despite his generally unflattering opinion of most Christians, Hitchens has always been polite about the idea of Christians praying for him during his illness, although he has remained firm that his cancer will not sway him towards belief in God.
Hitchens has previously stated that he will not convert on his deathbed unless he is “very ill” or “half demented, either by drugs or pain where I wouldn’t have control over what I say”.
A few months back, Collins wrote a special piece in The Washington Post for “Everybody Pray for Hitchens Day”.
“My prayer is not so much for a supernatural intervention – as a physician I have not seen evidence for such medical miracle in my own experience," he said.
“Instead I pray for myself and for Christopher along the lines of James 1:5.”
The verse James 1:5 says: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”