Christopher Hitchens and the problem with culture wars

Having deserted the Christian/conservative camp only a few years ago, and being a student of biology myself, I have avidly followed the evolution-creationism battles in the news and blogosphere.

Chris Hitchens was, along with Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and PZ Myers, one of the Big Names, the decorated heroes of our cause, regularly skirmishing with the leading creationists. We gleefully recounted their exploits and composed songs celebrating them.

Now Hitchens ups and uses “lesbian” as some sort of pejorative against Andrew Sullivan. No one is sure exactly what it means, but it can’t be flattering. And it’s disappointing and offensive. The quote:

SULLIVAN: Again, you keep playing with that quote. We’re happy to have it on the record. And now you’ve made me forget my second point, which is –
HITCHENS: Oh, well, don’t be such a lesbian. Get on with it.

Which brings me to the problem with culture wars. As with physical wars, you start to place the members on your side on an undue pedestal, and villainize the opponent, and dig in and adopt a wartime mentality. Which is dangerous for anybody, but especially for people who consider themselves champions of free thought and rationality.

Hitchens owes us all an apology (especially lesbians). And none of that “sorry, I guess,” or “if I offended anyone” crap. The problem lies with your words and attitudes, not with people being easily offended. Disrespecting entire groups of people is not the same as “telling it like it is.” And being a liberal champion in one arena does not make a person necessarily someone to be respected in other areas.

So hopefully that’s the end of my silly hero-worshipping, good-versus-evil tendencies.

Until I forget again and the next great religion debate rolls around. Maybe this one.

Tags: Christopher Hitchens, Andrew Sullivan, lesbian, creationism, ScienceBlogs