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The Atheist's Guide To Christmas (2010)

by Robin Harvie(Favorite Author)

3.63 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

0061997978 (ISBN13: 9780061997976)

languge

English

genre

Humor

publisher

Harper Perennial

review 1: This is a thought provoking set of essays by some of the leading atheists of our time. The essays address the dilemmas faced by atheists at Christmas, fundamentally whether or not it is hypocritical to celebrate the season if you do not believe in a god or gods. The Atheist's Guide to Christmas naturally touches on the well worn grooves of the fact that most things to do with Christmas are very far from the Christian message of love, peace and tolerance. That setting aside the madness of Black Friday and rampant consumerism the festival we now know as Christmas has roots deep in the pagan light festivals of deep winter. The book is divided into six sections: Stories; Science; How To; Philosophy; Arts and Events with seven essays in each section discussing the subject i... moren relation to Christmas and being a non believer.The message that comes over is that it's okay to celebrate Christmas, much as you can meditate and not be a Buddhist. Being an atheist does not mean you do not value and take joy from the coming together of family, carols, or even the Christmas story itself with its beautiful message of sacrifice, love and humility. It is simply that us atheists believe in what can be observed as opposed to what cannot, be that gods, fairies, ghosts or the afterlife. I am an atheist and I adore the wonder of this time, the frosty streets and cold nights lit up with hopeful strings of light, the anticipation of seeing my family open the presents I've chosen so carefully, mulled wine and roast potatoes, love and a couple of days without work. Believing that this is all there is gives poignancy to the here and now, that we do not do things for anything in the next life but that we live as morally ethically as possible because this is all there is. And that is what Christmas is all about at heart.
review 2: This book wasn't bad. I enjoyed it. Being a book of essays with all different authors, it is difficult to review the entire book as one as there are definitely some essays that are excellent and some that are lacking. Overall the essays were light-hearted and not preachy at all, making it suitable for really any belief. Some essays are about childhood traditions (which I love), falling in love, and gift giving (one was titled "What To Get an Atheist for Christmas") =) It was entertaining but I won't read it again and unless you love essays, I wouldn't really recommended. Some are tough to get through. less

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