Christopher Hitchens, famed author, columnist, atheist and overall critic of religion, passed away yesterday after a prolonged battle with esophageal cancer.

Traditional media responded quickly: the New York Times, Vanity Fair, Fox News and NPR and others promptly posted obituaries. There were reactions from believers and nonbelievers alike, with nuns from Mother Teresa’s charity offering up prayers for Hitchens and his family. (They’re not sure he would have appreciated the prayers, but then the nuns probably didn’t appreciate Hitchens’ scathing critique of Mother Teresa in 2003 either)

New media outlets were the quickest to weigh in. Hemant Mehta of “The Friendly Atheist” blog offered both a written and artistic tribute, and satirical comedy news outlet The Onion poked fun at Hitchens’ talent as a debater. Meanwhile, Christian author Diana Butler Bass paid her respects on Facebook, and thousands of mournful Twitter posts from fellow atheists such as comedian Ricky Gervais made “#Godisnotgreat” – the title of one of Hitchens’ books – a trending topic. Even the (satirical) twitter feed of @thealmightygod offered a few words:

In other news, Rolling Stone reports that Matisyahu – an Orthodox Jewish reggae rapper (yeah, you read that right) – stunned fans on Wednesday when he tweeted that he had shaved his trademark beard. For those that miss the old scruff, however, a new website now lets you Pin the Beard on Matisyahu.

Desmound Tutu is at it again. The South African activist priest is pushing (sort of?) Trinity Wall Street – a major Episcopalian church in New York City – to allow Occupy Wall Street protestors to use nearby Duarte Park.

Finally, your Video of the Day has to do with Jesus Toasters. Which is a thing that exists. (via @sojo)

(image courtesy ensceptico via wikimedia commons)