I heard recently that Christopher Hitchens, world famous author and declared atheist, has terminal cancer.

Some people of faith are saying this is God's revenge on him for not believing. Others are praying for him out of genuine good will.

We are all mortal — Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, non-believers — and we all will die at some point. The fact that Christopher Hitchens is human, and thus mortal, is not news.

But the fact that he, and many atheists throughout history, have spoken out about the dangers of religious hegemony is important to note. I, as a Christian, would like to thank Mr. Hitchens and his fellow non-believers, for speaking their minds.

I am quite convinced that God can never be completely understood by any one group of people. More than 900 years ago, the great theologian Anselm of Canterbury wrote that God is that than which nothing greater can be thought. If this is really the case, then surely no one human mind, or culture, or religion, can possibly claim to understand the totality of the divine.

I used to think I had a pretty good handle on who God is. My understanding of God was so perfect, so liberal and inclusive, how could my understanding of God be wrong?

And then I spent some time with liberation theology, which is a theological perspective based on the idea that one can only truly understand God if one looks through the eyes of the oppressed.

After I listened to that point of view and realized that my social location was seriously limiting my understanding of God, I understood that perhaps God needs to be bigger than my own capacity to understand the holy. Perhaps God needs to expand outside of my own privileged viewpoint.

Similarly, if we people of faith cannot respond to reasonable questions about miracles and timelines, science and philosophy, then perhaps we should re-examine our stated positions. I believe curiosity and doubt are gifts of the spirit as much as prayer and worship. Intellect is as much a part of the image of God as anything else.

Religion needs atheists. Just like government needs conservatives and corporations need liberals, we all need people to ask questions, to challenge us, to push our logic and to contain our excesses.

If all is well and certain, what need is there of faith? Faith doesn't come from contentment, but from struggle and conflict, doubt and anxiety. Rather than starting with answers, a more sensible beginning of faith is the questions.

Thank you Mr. Hitchens for exercising the courage to ask us believers the questions we need to hear. I wish you a peaceful and loving end to your life on Earth.