"Well look, I mean, I think that prayer and holy water, and things like that are all fine. They don't do any good, but they don't necessarily do any harm. It's touching to be thought of in that way. It makes up for those who tell me that I've got my just desserts"

Christopher Hitchens approaches the topic of prayer and religious gesture with his signature blend of skepticism and icy wit. When confronted with well-wishers sending him prayers or using holy water, often as spiritual remedies for his illness, he acknowledges the sentiment but doesn’t credit these acts with any tangible effect. For Hitchens, an outspoken atheist and critic of organized religion, such rituals have no practical impact on his physical condition. By stating, “They don’t do any good, but they don’t necessarily do any harm,” Hitchens illustrates his rationalist worldview: he sees these religious expressions as ineffectual, yet benign.

However, his response isn't wholly dismissive. Instead of outright rejecting the gestures or taking offense, he recognizes the human connection underlying them. “It's touching to be thought of in that way,” he says. There is an appreciation here for the intention, the compassion and goodwill people express when they offer prayers. Even though he disagrees fundamentally with their worldview, he can still recognize and value their concern for his well-being. The phrase indicates that, for him, emotional bonds and kindness can cross ideological boundaries.

The latter part of his statement underscores a social dichotomy: while some respond to his suffering with empathy and goodwill, others celebrate his hardships as deserved punishment. The mention of “just desserts” refers to those who gloat over his illness, perceiving it as retribution for his criticism of religion. In noting that benevolent gestures from believers “make up for” the hostility from others, Hitchens highlights the complexity of public reactions to his situation. He suggests that while he remains intellectually opposed to religious ideas, he still finds solace in the basic humanity extended by many believers. This quote, therefore, reveals not only his lack of faith in prayer’s efficacy but also an unexpected graciousness in accepting kindness, even from those with whom he profoundly disagrees.