The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas
I bought this book as a Christmas present to myself, along with a DVD box set of Cosmos. Put together and edited by comedy writer, journalist and creator of the Atheist Bus Campaign, Ariane Sherine, The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas is a collection of stories and tips for enjoying the Christmas season from 42 atheist celebrities, comedians, scientists and writers.
The book is split into six categories: Stories, Science, How To, Philosophy, Arts and Events; It’s a great mix of funny and serious pieces covering everything from the LHC, listening to the big bang on your radio and experiments in Christmasology to why as an atheist you shouldn’t have to reject Christmas and why Christmas is as good a name as any for the winter solstice festival, even for an atheist. It makes great reading and the short, sharp pieces make it the ideal format for dipping in and out of.
With an impressive and diverse list of contributors which includes Richard Dawkins, Charlie Brooker, Derren Brown, Ben Goldacre, David Baddiel, Simon Singh, Brian Cox, Richard Herring and Simon Le Bon (no, really) there is something for everyone. The editor and all the contributors have also donated their share of the profits (50% of the books overall profit) to the AIDS charity Terrence Higgins Trust.
It really is an excellent book and essential reading for any atheists who have ever felt conflicted about celebrating Christmas.
Merry Christmas to all and as Mitch Benn says in the book, may random circumstance and the smooth operation of the laws of the universe bless you!
