New Atheist pundit and writer Christopher Hitchens has reportedly suspended his book tour for the recently released Hitch 22: A Memoir in order to undergo chemotherapy for cancer in his esophagus. The 61 year old gave up smoking in 2008.  

I have two hopes in this moment: 
(1) That he will have peace as he faces a difficult treatment and an unsure outcome and 
(2) That my brothers and sisters in Christ will remember that rain falls on all of us and extend compassion and love to Hitchens rather than connecting his beliefs (or lack thereof) to his health. Whether one categorizes Hitchens as a friend or enemy, love is the go-to response. 
 
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