Evil??? ...I find that comforting

Noted atheist Christopher Hitchens engaged in a debate with self-described secular Jewish agnostic David Berlinski in Birmingham, Alabama on September 7. Hosted by the Fixed Point Foundation, the debate premise was "Atheism Poisons Everything," a spin off of the subtitle of Hitchens' book, God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything.
The debate was recorded for broadcast on C-Span and can be seen here.
From a quick scan of blogs reviewing the exchange, I would surmise that most people heard what they wanted and believe that their position triumphed. I have not yet listened to the full exchange, but was particularly intrigued by one segment reported in the Washington Times.

When asked which of Jesus’ teachings he believed to be evil, Hitchens responded that the “concept of vicarious redemption is a disgusting and immoral doctrine.” He went on to say that the “moral rot of Christianity is vicarious forgiveness.”

In essence, I am hearing Hitchens find the mystery of the Cross as the greatest evil. Most Christians seem to regard John 3:16 which tells us, "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life," as the scripture that best defines the Christ experience and the ultimate statement of God's love for us. That Mr. Hitchens finds this thought so repugnant is great fodder for contemplation.