Christopher Hitchens: 'Well, I'll put it this way: you can certainly say belief in God makes people behave worse. That can be proved beyond a doubt.'

Well, I'll put it this way: you can certainly say belief in God makes people behave worse. That can be proved beyond a doubt.

In his provocative statement, Christopher Hitchens challenges the conventional belief that the existence of God leads to better behavior in individuals. As an outspoken atheist, Hitchens boldly claims that belief in God actually makes people behave worse, a sentiment that he believes can be conclusively proven. This quote offers a unique perspective on the intersection of religion and morality, pushing us to question the commonly held notion that faith inherently inspires virtuous actions. However, to fully appreciate the depth of Hitchens' argument, it is crucial to delve into an unexpected philosophical concept: moral relativism.Moral relativism, a philosophical theory that posits morality to be subjective and variable across different societies and individuals, presents a fascinating contrast to Hitchens' assertion. While he suggests that belief in God leads to worse behavior, moral relativism suggests that there may not be an objective standard for distinguishing good and bad behavior at all. This dichotomy between the belief in God and moral relativism opens up a thought-provoking debate about the nature of morality itself.Hitchens' argument asserts that the belief in God can exacerbate negative human traits rather than encourage morally upright behavior. To substantiate this claim, he might point to historical instances of religiously motivated wars, conflicts, and acts of violence. Hitchens' position seemingly posits that the concept of God and faith, rather than promoting compassion and empathy, have the potential to fuel religious extremism, dogmatism, and intolerance. After all, throughout history, countless acts of cruelty and inhumanity have been justified under the banner of divine mandate.On the other hand, moral relativism leads us to question whether it is fair to judge the behavior of religious individuals solely based on our own subjective moral compasses. If morality is indeed subjective, then determining whether belief in God leads to worse behavior becomes a complex matter. Who gets to decide what defines better or worse behavior? If morality is fluid and ever-changing, it becomes challenging to evaluate the impact of religious belief on behavior in an objective manner.By introducing moral relativism into the discussion, we are confronted with the tension between the belief in God as a catalyst for worse behavior and the possibility that morality itself is a malleable concept. This interplay of contrasting perspectives sparks an intellectual exploration into the intricacies of human behavior and what truly motivates our actions.While evaluating Hitchens' assertion may require nuanced analysis and examination of evidence, it is essential to acknowledge the potential merit in his claim. It is crucial not to dismiss his viewpoint outright, as it encourages critical thinking, challenging us to examine the effects of religious belief on individual behavior. At the same time, incorporating moral relativism into the discourse adds another layer of complexity, reminding us that the evaluation of behavior is inherently subjective and context-dependent.In conclusion, Christopher Hitchens' bold statement that belief in God makes people behave worse confronts our assumptions about the connection between faith and morality. By introducing the concept of moral relativism, we are compelled to question the very foundation upon which we judge behavior. While Hitchens' argument implies a causal relationship between belief in God and worse behavior, the presence of moral relativism challenges our ability to make definitive evaluations. This philosophical interplay invites us to engage in a deeper exploration of the complexities of human behavior, the nature of morality, and the role of religious belief in shaping our actions.