This is not the initial blog entry I was going to write. My intention was to talk about the books I read while on hols in October, as well as mentioning the UK-specific books I bought at the time. But. I’ve just finished The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas, and it is more than worthy of my first entry.
This is not a book on how belief in God(s) is wrong, and how we, as rational thinking adults, should make sure to point that out all the time, especially during the winter holiday season. This is a collection of personal essays and anecdotes (and in one memorable instance, a short story that recalls Wodehouse to pinpoint accuracy), all of which are written by atheists or humanists, and deal with the Christmas season. Some chapters are about the beauty of the universe, and how, at Christmas, we can celebrate that – that we, and the amazing natural world around us, were all created by the most intricate of scientific processes. And isn’t that just the coolest thing ever?
Other chapters are more about personal experiences – “I, myself, as an atheist, have found x is a great way to deal with overly y people at Christmas.” Or, “this is how my humanist household celebrates Christmas.” Two chapters in particular I found both useful as well as bitingly funny were Lucy Porter’s chapter on the best comedy for Christmas (Human Remains, anyone?), and Emily Hill’s entry on the best non-fiction to read over the winter season.
As is pretty much immediately obvious when looking at this book, it’s from the same people that brought you the atheist bus campaign. Remember that one? “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” Fantastic campaign, and I’m so glad it actually made it here to Cowtown. Anyway. This book is from the UK, so while those of us that are sort of, um, immersed in British culture will recognise a great many contributor names, others may not (though there are some instantly identifiable contributors, such as Richard Dawkins). But it’s not necessary to know who’s writing, really. It is important to remember that this book is meant to be taken as a fun, and often satirical, look at the goings-on of our winter festivus. It’s okay to be an atheist and still celebrate Christmas, and to even call it Christmas. So have fun, give great presents, and for pity’s sake, stay out of the rum punch!
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