“The Atheist’s Guide To Christmas” is the UK’s first atheist charity book, featuring contributions from Richard Dawkins, Derren Brown, Ben Goldacre, Simon Singh, Claire Rayner, David Baddiel, Charlie Brooker and many more. It’s been edited by Ariane Sherine, the creator of the hugely successful Atheist Bus Campaign. It’s out on Oct 1st and all royalties are going to the HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust. Please pre-order now:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Atheists-Guide-Christmas-Ariane-Sherine/dp/0007322615/

The Atheist’s Guide is a mix of humorous and poignant contributions from over 40 various prominent atheists. It’ll make an ideal Christmas gift for your atheist friends. Your religious friends will love it too, or, even better, it’ll put them in a foul mood for Xmas! So a win-win situation! More info on the Facebook group:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=128903634833

Your support will not only maintain the profile of atheism in the UK, it will also help raise funds for the very worthy THT charity. Please note that the contributors, and Ms Sherine, have waived payment for their considerable input into the “Guide”.

Thank you, and please pass this message on to everyone you know!!

[My apologies if you already know about the Guide!]

I do think there is an idea that if you are wholeheartedly committed to Christ and call the scriptures perfect and correct you are automatically called a judgmental bigot who must be stupid to believe a book would be accurate after all this time, but no one would call anyone who is wholeheartedly anything else a bigot. But I think most Christians’ sincere desire is that people experience salvation and a relationship with Christ for all eternity and that the truth of Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection would be known. That’s not some “anti” anyone else’s belief. It simply is what it is.

I read about this bus thing online somewhere, and I do hope it will make people think. I think this may be a highly effective way to point people to the cross because I think better to be in the conversation and have an honest dialogue than not to talk about it or just have a heated and judgmental stand on either side. I honestly think this will be something that will help people head in the direction of Jesus.

Those who are completely committed as atheists and agnostics probably would be swayed little. People who are still wondering (wandering) will likely want certainty and think about it once reading this. I think the “probably” is part of that that will prod them toward looking into it more. Either way, I honestly think you will indirectly benefit the move of Christ in England. I am glad for that, no offense.

I know Christians can present a message that includes the burn in hell type paperwork that goes along with the message sometimes. I find that offensive, not because there aren’t people who will burn in hell, sadly, but because it sounds incredibly judgmental and sounds like bullying to me. No one would “give in” to that, not a God who sounds capricious and hard hearted. God gives people a chance, a choice, and free will; none of us are robots unless we choose to act like one, whatever our beliefs are.

But no one should hesitate to tell a child in compassion: “If you don’t look both ways, you’ll be hit by a car when you cross that street.” Telling someone, “Don’t touch that. It’s hot,” when you know the consequence will be a burn is not wrong or judgmental. It just tells you what happens when you do it. I think that is the spirit in which a Christian should share with someone else about hell, God’s judgment, etc. It isn’t unkind to tell the child to look before he crosses the street because he could be hurt. Honestly, accepting Christ is the route to eternal life and salvation by God’s grace.