Gift Ideas for Atheists in 2014

[rug]

Portions of this post were written in 2008 and updated in 2012. With the 2014 update, I figured it made more sense to publish a new version rather than continue updating the original post.



Posted by Jack Vance at 5:46 AM

Many atheists celebrate Christmas and/or other holidays this time of year that involve the exchange of gifts. So if you find yourself looking for a gift for that atheist on your list and want to get them something that has something to do with atheism, humanism, skepticism, or secularism to show that you support who they are, I have some suggestions. And since none of my suggestions are Christmas-specific in any way, they would be just as appropriate for birthdays and other occasions.

This probably goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway: We atheists are just like everyone else except that we do not believe in gods. If you are a religious person, you probably don't believe in most of the gods that have been worshiped throughout the course of history either, so you should be able to relate. We atheists only differ from you in that we place your god(s) in the same category as all those in which you do not believe either. I make this point to highlight the fact that most atheists are going to be interested in all sorts of things that have nothing to do with atheism, just like you have many interests that have nothing to do with religion. Thus, the atheists on your list will appreciate many of the same sort of gifts as the religious believers.

Having said that, I pulled together these suggestions in case you'd like to show your support for someone by getting them something related to atheism, humanism, skepticism, or secularism.

Books

Many atheists value the pursuit of knowledge, and a book focused on atheism, humanism, skepticism, or secularism is a great way to give an atheist something they'd like while demonstrating your tolerance of their belief system. Back in 2008, I compiled a list of books I recommended for people new to atheism, including those curious about it or who had not been atheists for very long. I followed that up in 2009 with recommendations for more experienced atheists. I reviewed both sets of recommendations and believe they are still relevant today. Fortunately, most books on atheism tend not to go out of date. You may also want to check out Amazon.com's list of bestsellers in atheism.

http://www.atheistrev.com/2014/11/gift-ideas-for-atheists-in-2014.html#ixzz3K1rEl6ST

Only 31 more shopping days til . . . .



Boxing Day!

[upaloopa]

1. Who buys presents based on your friends belief in god?

Let's see I'm getting a new flat screen for my friend. I wonder if there is an atheist version? One that doesn't show any gods on the screen.
Who gives a shit?
I'll give you the receipt so if you're offended you can return it for something else.
I most certainly won't be looking into anyone's god preferences this year.

[rug]

2. Well, a fruitcake covers all comers.

[Kelvin Mace]

3. Depending on its age

it can be a food, a weapon, a building material....

[rug]

4. An ancient artifact . . . .

[longship]

8. DUzy!!

BTW. I love fruitcake. (And you are correct. It indeed can equally be used as a food, a weapon, or a building material. What could be better.)



Of course, everybody knows that there was never more than one fruitcake, crafted in the deep, dark past and gifted throughout generation after generation, over and over.

Actually, my mother made fruit cake nearly every year. My older sister did, too, apparently using a Sophia Loren recipe. It's best with booze in it. Usually, rum. YUM!

Leftovers can be used to build out buildings.

[okasha]

18. I'm told that mine should require a liquor license.

I use bourbon or apricot brandy.

[Kelvin Mace]

29. Let me amend

Food, a weapon, a building material, a fire on a cold night.

[AtheistCrusader]

9. Heat it up and slap some butter on it, and it's awesome.

[okasha]

19. Oh, so true!

[AtheistCrusader]

21. I think most people find it disgusting, because they eat it at room temp.

[upaloopa]

7. Now that is the best laugh I've had in a long time!

You can have those mailed anywhere.

[longship]

10. The shippers charge by weight. With fruitcake, fortunately, nobody can afford to do so.

[upaloopa]

15. True

But still they are non denominational. All faiths, beliefs and disbelievers hate fruit cake.
And if one gets lost in the UPS truck it will be just as bad a couple of months old.

[cbayer]

6. Exactly. I find this whole concept rather baffling.

[cbayer]

5. My gifts for atheists wouldn't be any different than my gifts for theists or for everyone

in between.

His suggestions are nice, I guess, but, as he states, atheists only differ from theists in that they don't believe in god. Do people generally give gifts with a god theme? I don't know any of those people.

It wouldn't occur to me to give a believer a religiously based gift. This just isn't on my radar.

I guess the booklist is pretty good and I'm really glad to see that it doesn't include overtly hostile anti-religious books.

[longship]

13. My dad's brother was a fundie.

He always gave religious themed gifts. We always graciously said thank you. They were usually a book, which quickly went into our library. Eventually it became an eclectic mix. I still have some of it in my house today. Fortunately none of those books from my departed uncle, who in spite of his religiosity, was a very, very nice guy.

[cbayer]

14. See, that's just tacky.

Gifts are supposed to be a pleasure to the receiver, not a lesson from the gifter.

I don't doubt he was a very nice guy.

What happened to all his books? Could be funny reads.

[longship]

20. Well, my uncle's family just did that.

And my sisters and I were taught to graciously say thank you. My father was totally deaf in one ear, and as he aged lost much of his hearing in his other. His brother would occasionally ask him to attend "healing services". My father politely, but firmly demurred. It was his way. The emphasis on politely. My father was a real gem, as was my mother.

Interestingly, my aunt and uncle, living in FL at the time were traveling in Canada. My uncle had a stroke and they drove back to FL for faith healing rather than getting immediate care. He died a few weeks later. Who knows what would have happened if my aunt had taken him directly to a hospital, or even as much as given him a couple of aspirin? That was sad, in more than one way.

As always,
longship

And a Happy Thanksgiving to you.

[cbayer]

22. I have no doubt that your family was thoughtful, polite and respectful.

Apples fall from apple trees, as they say.

Very sad story about his death. Of all the things that can happen, strokes are one of the most important to get seen as soon as humanly possible. It depends on the type of stroke, but if an intervention is made really soon, lives are saved.

ASA is good for a heart attack. Always have some around and if you get any symptoms of a heart attack, take a couple right away. But for a stroke, that is not as clear. If the stroke is a bleed, as opposed to a clot, aspirin is not going to help and may even inhibit necessary clotting.

OTOH, I hope you take a daily baby ASA.

What are you doing for Thanksgiving?

I am going to a pot luck with about 225 people from the boating community here. It should be lots of fun. I did last years Thanksgiving at a restaurant, and they just didn't quite get it. It was comparable to serving taco bell at a mexican celebration.

[longship]

25. Making myself a big dinner.

All my close friends are either out of the country or the state. My family is pretty far away and my car is not in good enough shape to drive long distances, nor is my night vision in winter weather. No money for airline travel, plus I'd have to drive a long distance to get to an airport.

It's no biggie. I will be in contact with friends and family throughout the holidays, which will suffice.

Love your Taco Bell analogy. No turkey here, although there are plenty of live wild ones around here. I might settle for some kind of pasta, or maybe drive into town for one of those senior Thanksgiving feasts, with all the trimmings. They aren't too bad. And I'll have my cell phone to chat with family and friends.

[cbayer]

26. I picture you wrapped up in front of your fireplace or stove eating your pasta.

It might be great to go to a senior Thanksgiving dinner. It's wonderful that these exist for people that can't get to family, and you might make some new friends.

Just hit the road before dark. I am a menace on the road after dark.

[longship]

28. Me, too. It's an 18 mile drive each way to the biggest nearby town all two lane roads.

My road is not paved. They keep it plowed in winter, as it is a school bus route. But I despise driving at night on two lane roads. And there are no other kind even close here. It is very, very rural. Even in nearby towns there are no big wide highways.

West Michigan has no urban centers other than Grand Rapids, and that is a good 50+ miles south of me. It's over ten miles just to get to a four lane highway.

Then, there's the lake effect snow. Oy! Once winter sets in I hunker down and stay home, only venturing out if the snow stops or I need provisions or something. I put less than 6,000 miles on my car in two years. I don't venture very far.

[Hari Seldon]

11. Ear Plugs

To protect them from evangelical types

[Kali]

12. heh

my atheist family enjoys giving each other the tackiest religious cards we can find.

and religious gifts are cool too. especially Mexican Catholic knick knacks. (folk art)

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

16. You don't exchange money, with the

'In God We Trust' cut out with an exacto knife? I thought that was de rigeur!

[rug]

17. Try something minimalist.

[xfundy]

23. Don't forget the card!

[cbayer]

24. That's cute. I found this one I like.

[stone space]

27. I love books, but prefer to pick them out myself.

Cash is nice.

I've been trying to build up a library for my retirement recently, and it's expensive.

Oh, yeah...Did I mention cash?