Atheist's Guide To Christmas

When writer and journalist Ariane Sherine looked up a website she’d seen with a Bible quotation displayed on a London bus, she was dismayed to find as a non-believer she would be condemned to eternal torment in Hell. Ariane decided to write an article called, ‘Atheists Gimme Five’, and during her research she discovered that the website advertised was not part of the Advertising Standards Authority remit.

At the end of her article Ariane suggested that if atheist readers donated £5, an atheist London bus advert could be funded. Many readers responded including Jon Worth, a political blogger. He suggested a Pledgebank for readers to donate and Ariane agreed. To cut a long story short, the Atheist Bus Campaign launched on Tuesday October 21 2008 with the slogan:

“There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”

In the wake of that campaign, Ariane persuaded 42 talented people from a variety of backgrounds, to write a short article about Christmas, get The Friday Project to publish it, and so was born the Atheists Guide to Christmas.


I love Christmas and was a little apprehensive when I was given a copy to read. Given the title it might be supposed that it's a diatribe against Christmas, and Christianity, but it most emphatically is not. This is a sincere, warm, light-hearted book about Christmas and inclusiveness; and if Christmas is anything, it is arguably one of the most inclusive festivals celebrated, with or without the religious element.

With pieces ranging from writers as varied as Charlie Brooker, Simon Le Bon, Richard Dawkins and Josie Long; we read about church music, reindeer games, cat dilemmas, God Trumps …. the content is as diverse as the contributors. Across 42 articles divided into six sections there is much to cheer and amuse, inform and educate. Overall, it is entertaining - I love the music and films suggestions, and it's nice to see Dawkins lighten up for once.

Why forty-two? I know from Ariane’s visit to the Book Swap that its all to do with the Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

You can read the Guide from cover to cover if you wish, I like it as a ‘dip into’ book, one you can go back to time and time again and find something new to read. Its charming, entertaining and best of all, the proceeds go to the Terrance Higgins Trust. Go buy one!