The Atheist’s guide to Christmas
Nov 1, 2009 Comedy, Religion and Ethics, Skeptical books
Who could go another Christmas without at least a small groan that is associated with the holiday. Society has come to slightly loath Christmas. Its obvious over-commercialisation and compacted timescale forces everyone to perform the usual dreaded rituals that certainly seem to take all the fun out of it.
Combined with this is the obvious religious angle, which for most has been almost completely dissolved. Ironic as it is that this originally pagan festival was hijacked by Christianity centuries later, Christmas has a bizarre identity in the new millennium.
And so this entertaining volume which has been pulled together by some of the best entertainers out there will hopefully exists as a subtle and ingenious way to introduce your family members to the idea of open mindedness. It’s also not what you think it might be. There’s no ranting paragraphs about how stupid bible bashers are or acidic poems about how Jesus isn’t real. There’s a guide to making xmas decorations, party games and an excellent section on how and why to be caring and moral.
Many people who might admit they are Christian actually sit on the fence and a book like this may just be the volume to gently push them off into at least the Agnostics vegetable patch.
A great read but a far better xmas present and all profits go to charity – marvellous.
Description: 42 atheist celebrities, comedians, scientists and writers give their funny and serious tips for enjoying the Christmas season. The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas is a funny, thoughtful handbook all about enjoying Christmas, from 42 of the world’s most entertaining atheists.
It features everything from an atheist Christmas miracle to a guide to the best Christmas pop hits, and contributors include Richard Dawkins, Charlie Brooker, Derren Brown, Ben Goldacre, Jenny Colgan, David Baddiel, Simon Singh, AC Grayling, Brian Cox and Richard Herring. The full book advance and all royalties will go to the UK HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust.
Leave a Reply