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IT’S A BOOK about Christmas – but there’s nary a manger, virgin birth nor angel in sight. It may seem strange, but it is
indeed the case.
Encouraged by the success of their campaign which proclaimed ‘There’s Probably No God, Now Stop Worrying’ on the sides of buses, some of Britain’s most prominent atheists have come together to publish a book released just in
time for the Christmas season.
According to Britain’s Guardian newspaper, The Atheist’s Guide to Christmas features contributions by scientists Richard Dawkins, Simon Singh and Adam
Rutherford; advice columnist Claire Rayner; pop star Simon Le Bon; illusionist
Derren Brown; and Guardian columnist Charlie Brooker.
Brooker’s chapter asks whether a fantasy God would have a sense of humour; and there is ‘A Guide to Turning Your Home into a Festive Something That is So Bright it Can
be Seen from Space.’
Within a week of being released, the Guardian said the book was already ranked number 40 in the chart compiled by online
retailer Amazon – and could be a surprise bestseller.
Writer Ariane Sherine, who initiated the atheist bus campaign, said she was
daunted by the idea of writing a book by herself – so she enlisted the help of friends and supporters.
“Virtually all the comedians I know are atheists, and Richard Dawkins was very
involved with the bus campaign.”
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Sherine denies the book is anti-Christmas. “I wanted to make it clear that it’s a friendly, quite happy book. I’ve sent it to some of my religious friends. The book is not just about being
atheist. There’s a chapter on how to get on with relatives, and ideas for party games.”
– Jeremy Reynalds, Assist News Service
December 2009
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