A new book is about to be released called, The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas, edited by Robin Harvie and Stephanie Meyers. It goes on sale November 2, 2010 and the proceed benefit a UK HIV charity. The publisher provided this overview:
There seems to be no escape from the Christmas season – especially for the roughly 40 million Americans who identify as atheists, agnostics, or nonreligious. In their case, Christmas’s commercialism, lock-step cheerfulness, and ever-earlier appearance on the cultural calendar can seem especially glaring.
THE ATHEIST’S GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS is an attempt to remedy these wrongs. In this funny and provocative collection of new essays, 42 of the world’s most entertaining nonbelievers offer their timely thoughts on what it means to be an atheist during the holidays – the good, the bad, and the unholy. The essays include:
- Sian Berry’s tips on having a eco-friendly Christmas;
- Jennifer McCreight’s guide to shopping for the feminist atheist in your life;
- Simon Singh’s scientific creation story;
- Neal Pollack’s musings on maintaining the Christmas illusion for his son, who still believes in Santa Claus;
- Simon Price’s ode to happy, non-denominational holiday songs;
- Jon Holmes’s tongue-in-cheek guide to making your holiday decorations so bright, they can be seen from outer space;
- Matt Kirshen’s delicious take on having a Jewish Christmas.
Other contributors include Richard Dawkins, Ben Goldacre, Paul Krassner, Simon Le Bon, AC Grayling, Emery Emery, Phil Plait, and Robbie Fulks.
The full book advance and all royalties will go to the UK HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust.
Robin Harvie is an atheist, publisher and author of Why We Run: The Story of an Obsession. He lives in London, UK.
Stephanie Meyers is a book editor and an avid believer in receiving presents, decorating trees, and making the most of post-holiday sales. She lives in New York City.
