The Atheist's Guide to Christmas: Book review
You've probably heard about those
controversial bus advertisements by
now.
It all started in June 2008, when editor Ariane Sherine saw a bus
advertisement telling her that non-Christians would
'spend all eternity in torment in hell'.
Ariane decided to respond with her own bus advertisement. Atheism's
one ad on one bus would read: 'There's probably no God. Now stop
worrying and enjoy your life.'
She set up a website hoping that a few people would lend a helping
hand and donate a few pounds. She was mistaken. Within four days
the donations had reached a staggering 100,000 pounds and
turned into 800 bus ads running across the UK for a month.
Now there is a companion book to the bus campaign,
There's Probably No God: The Atheist's Guide To
Christmas, a collection of short stories and
articles based around what Christmas means to the
non-Christians out there.
Derren Brown, Ed Byrne, Kapka Kassabova, Charlie Brooker, Simon
Singh and David Baddiel are just a few of the people who were
shoulder-tapped to share their humorous and serious tips for
surviving the Christmas season.
Although
The Athiest's Guide To Christmas is
divided into themes (Stories, Science, How To, Philosophy, Arts and
Events) I found the most enjoyable way to read it was to scan the
contents list and choose a chapter based on either the author or
the chapter title.
Not in a 'Richard Dawkins' kind of mood? How about a 'Simon Le Bon
from Duran Duran' one?
And who could resist such articles as 'How to Decorate
the Outside of Your House with Lights and Not Have Your Neighbours
Hate You: A guide to turning your home into a festive something
that is so bright it can be seen from space,' or 'If God Existed,
Would He Have a Sense of Humour?'
Make no mistake, this book is no bah-humbug 'I hate Christmas'
tome. Instead it celebrates the non-religious aspects of Christmas,
and irreverently pokes fun at some of our traditions
and belief systems at this time of year.
And to top it all off the contributors and editor of
The Athiest's Guide To Christmas have donated
their full share of the profits made from this book to the
Terrence
Higgins Trust, a prominant HIV and sexual health charity.
Quite why they have done this becomes apparent when you read Ben
Goldacre's contribution, a wonderfully comprehensive six pages
about the power of ideas - both good and bad.
Other personal favourites include a fabulous piece on
what life is like if your birthday falls on December 25th,
suggestions on how to liven up your Christmas, and a re-writing of
Christmas Carols to illustrate modern-day Christmas events.
This book bears the gifts of comedy, science, philosophy,
storytelling and knowledge. And it's hugely enjoyable. What more
could you ask for?
Rating: 9/10
Title: There's Probably No God: The Atheist's
Guide To Christmas
Editor: Ariane Sherine
RRP: $34.99
Publisher:
HarperCollins
Available: Now!
