I've kinda thought C. Hitchens was throwing hyperbole when he said we are commanded by Jesus to be perfect. I now know he was not exaggerating. We cannot be perfect. We just do the best we can each day, some of us relying on the guidance found within ourselves (treat others as you want to be treated). Oddly enough, I think that idea is in all community beliefs, before they were ever codified and called "religion". (I tried this as a simple post, but it would not fit, so here as a blog entry.)
Speaking to his disciples / followers: Matthew 5:43-48 KJV
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans do so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
web source: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5&version=KJV