Here’s the link. The segment with me starts at the 17:52 mark, and ends (somewhat abruptly, as the show was coming to an end) at about 22:50.
IMPORTANT NOTE: BBC Radio doesn’t keep their programs online indefinitely — they only keep them up for about a week. So if you want to listen, you only have (as of this writing) six days left to do it. Enjoy!
DESCRIPTION
Coming out as an atheist is a powerful, liberating act. It makes life better for yourself, for other atheists, and for the world. But telling people you’re an atheist can be risky. What are the best ways to do it? And how can we help each other take this step?
In this compassionate, friendly, down-to-earth how-to guide, popular author and blogger Greta Christina (Why Are You Atheists So Angry? 99 Things That Piss Off the Godless) offers concrete strategies and guiding philosophies for coming out as an atheist. Based on hundreds of coming-out stories, the book offers a map of the territory atheists are likely to encounter — and ideas on how to pick the path that’s best for you.
This accessible, empathetic guide reflects a wide range of atheist coming-out experiences. It includes dedicated chapters on:
Family
Friends
Spouses and Partners
Work
The Internet
Parents
Students
Conservative Communities
The Already Marginalized
and much more.
For atheists who are already out, it gives practical ideas on how to help others join you in the sunlight. And for atheists who are on the fence, it offers guidance on making that decision — and gentle encouragement to take that step.
Inspiring and realistic, kind and powerful, Coming Out Atheist is the much-needed guidebook atheists have been waiting for.
Author Greta Christina is donating 10% of her income from this book to atheist organizations, charities, and projects.
ORDERING INFO
All three formats — print, ebook, and audiobook — are currently available!
Ebook edition:
The Kindle edition is available on Amazon. (That’s the link for Amazon US, btw — it’s available in other regions as well.)
The Nook edition is available at Barnes & Noble.
The Smashwords edition is available on Smashwords. Right now, it’s only available on Smashwords in epub format: I’m working to make it available in other formats.
All ebook editions and formats cost just $9.99.
Print edition:
The print edition is now available through Powell’s Books.
The print edition is also available at Amazon. However, be advised (if you haven’t been already) that seriously abusive labor practices have been reported at Amazon warehouses. Please bear that in mind when you’re deciding where to buy my book — or indeed, where to buy anything. (For the records: Powell’s employees are unionized.) Again, that’s the link for Amazon US — it’s available in other regions as well.
You can also buy the print edition at your local bookstore. If they don’t currently carry it, you can special order it. (Bookstores can get it from standard wholesalers; wholesale info is below.) Support your local bookstore!
The print edition is $17.95 USD. It is being published by Pitchstone Publishing.
Wholesale sales of the print edition:
Bookstores and other retailers can get the book from Ingram, Baker & Taylor, and other standard wholesale distributors. It can also be purchased directly from the publisher, Pitchstone Publishing.
Audiobook edition:
The audiobook version is available on Audible.
The audiobook is also available through Amazon.
The audiobook is also available through iTunes.
And yes, I did the recording for it!
REVIEWS
“Witty, wise, helpful, and humane, this clear and engaging book is most timely. Coming Out Atheist is a great resource for the many Americans out there who have rejected religious faith and are moving towards embracing, acknowledging, and proclaiming their atheism.”
-Phil Zuckerman, Ph.D., author of “Faith No More: Why People Reject Religion” and “Society Without God: What the Least Religious Nations Can Tell Us About Contentment”
“Old and new atheists alike will find this book invaluable as a road map through the often murky waters of coming out as a nonbeliever. As an out atheist, I was struck by how much I learned about the coming out process and its intricacies. There is no doubt that it has made me a better advocate and voice in the movement. BUY THIS BOOK IT’S AMAZEBANANAS!”
-Lauren Lane, Skepticon Co-Founder
“Greta Christina’s guide to ‘Coming Out Atheist’ is chock-full of useful ideas; but above all it is wise and compassionate.”
-Alan Sokal, Professor of Physics, New York University
“This is an important book at the right time by a clear thinker, elegant writer, and passionate human being. Greta Christina is one of a small handful of atheist authors I can count on to bring that happy combination home, time after time.”
-Dale McGowan, author of “Atheism For Dummies”
“There’s no doubt that it’s hard to be an atheist in America, but Greta Christina’s message will make you rethink keeping your beliefs to yourself. There’s an optimistic truth that ties her book together: By coming out publicly as non-religious, we are doing something courageous, powerful, and important. Given the choice between simply handing someone a copy of The God Delusion and telling that person you don’t believe in God, Greta reminds us that the personal message may be the most powerful weapon in the atheist arsenal.”
-Hemant Mehta, blogger at FriendlyAtheist.com and author of “The Young Atheist’s Survival Guide”
“What an accomplishment! In ‘Coming Out Atheist,’ Greta Christina has pulled together a great resource for emerging atheists. She very thoroughly captures the reality that atheists are people too, including non-believing clergy.”
-Catherine Dunphy, Acting Executive Director, The Clergy Project
“Greta Christina is unmatched in passion and clarity of thought. Her writing manages to be both friendly and confrontational. “Why Are You Atheists So Angry?” quickly became the #1 book that I recommend to atheists and curious believers alike, and I can’t imagine a better or more complete guide to telling someone that you don’t believe than “Coming Out Atheist.”
-Gem Newman, Life, the Universe & Everything Else Podcast
“Millions of Americans are discovering that life without religion and superstition can be rewarding, fulfilling, and joyful. Greta Christina has done that growing demographic a great service, with this thoughtful and entertaining book that will inform and inspire those who embrace personal secularity.”
-David Niose, author of “Nonbeliever Nation: The Rise of Secular Americans”
“Greta Christina knows that the philosophy of atheism is incomplete without practical and sensible advice about how to live in a world full of believers. Her fascinating life experience and astute observations of atheists, in or out of the closet, offers readers some of the most potent testimony for why coming out as an atheist will make a godless life better.”
-Hector Avalos, professor of Religious Studies at Iowa State University, author of “The End of Biblical Studies” and “Slavery, Abolitionism, and the Ethics of Biblical Scholarship”
“With her trademark mix of clarity, passion, and empathy, Greta Christina has produced the definitive guide in ‘Coming Out Atheist.’ More than just a how-to, ‘Coming Out Atheist’ also empowers those already out in making our movement a more welcoming place.”
-Neil Wehneman, Development Director, Secular Student Alliance
“With this work, Greta Christina makes a sensible and reasonable case for coming out of the closet as an atheist. She points to a wide range of excellent real cases focusing on the many positive aspects of doing so. She is clear in saying that no one is looking for martyrs, but contends instead that coming out typically brings one a sense of well-being, happiness, and self fulfillment. As a popular author, Greta’s direct and to the point exceptional arguments are second to none among current authors for the secular communities. One great thing about this book is that it also takes into consideration minorities and other already marginalized groups, helping them deal with the subject of coming out as non-believers. This book offers something for everyone and Greta Christina’s unrelenting positivism makes it a pleasure to read both for the seasoned atheist as well as for the person still in the atheist closet. I strongly recommend getting two copies of this exceptional book: one to keep and one to give as the perfect present for a good friend.”
-David Tamayo, Founder and President, Hispanic American Freethinkers
“Greta’s new book gives advice on how to come out atheist to pretty much everyone you know — and even to those you don’t. Greta’s take-away message from reading and hearing thousands of coming out-atheist stories? Most of the time, despite the initial awkwardness or fear, it turns out all right. This is a great how-to-guide for cautious nonbelievers who may fear the consequences of coming out godless.”
-Annie Sapucaia, New Books in Secularism podcast
“Coming out is one of the most important decisions a person can make. Greta walks readers through that decision in a straightforward step by step process: if, when, how, to whom, and — perhaps most importantly — why. A guide for atheists and allies alike.”
-Lyz Liddell, Director of Campus Organizing, Secular Student Alliance
“Make the world a better place. Start living your life. Greta Christina shows you why and how (and how not) to escape the atheist closet. A must read for every new atheist and anyone who is considering becoming one.”
-David Fitzgerald, author of “Nailed: Ten Christian Myths That Show Jesus Never Existed At All” and “The Complete Heretic’s Guide to Western Religion Book One: The Mormons”
“Not only is ‘Coming Out Atheist’ a valuable compendium of information on the how and why of coming out, it is also a unique book on the importance of living an authentic life. Beautifully woven within its pages is a priceless collection of deeply touching coming out stories. It’s one of those rare books that is both an essential resource and a fantastic read. I highly recommend it.”
-Bill Lehto, editor of “Atheist Voices of Minnesota”
“Greta Christina has written the ultimate handbook for coming out. I read this book with an eye for detail, since there are so many nuances in the process of coming out. Greta addresses each one of them with thoughtfulness and compassion. I actually think this book has something for every atheist, not just those coming out. Her insight, understanding, and knowledge mark a new path I have not seen in this kind of book before. As the Chairman of the Board of Recovering from Religion, this book is now on our list of ‘highly recommended’ for all our members and facilitators.”
-Darrel Ray, author of “The God Virus: How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture” and “Sex and God: How Religion Distorts Sexuality”
In the first part of the interview, we talk about Coming Out Atheist: How to Do It, How to Help Each Other, and Why — how atheists can encourage each other to come out without guilt-tripping or pressuring; ways that coming out atheist is different for different people; dealing with anti-atheist discrimination on the job; how out atheists can have some sort of fairness in relationships with religious believers; how coming out atheist intertwines with politics and political differences; the challenges of coming out atheist when religion is intertwined with everyday culture; romantic relationships between believers and non-believers; how, even with all its challenges, coming out usually turns out well and makes us happier; and more.
In the second part of the interview, we talk about misogyny in the atheist community. We talk about losing respect for people we once admired; whether debates about sexism and misogyny go too far or create an “in group/out group” dynamic; why I’m more afraid of atheists who hate me because I’m a feminist than I am of religious believers who hate me because I’m an atheist; the atheists who love my atheist anger but want to stifle my feminist anger; how privileged people not being able to control the conversation is different from not having a voice; how being willing to acknowledge our privilege and work on own biases opens us up to a wider, more interesting world; how speaking out about -isms in our movement is how things are getting better; and more.
They’re both good conversations, with lots of back-and-forth, and we explore some complicated, difficult, interesting ideas. (Again, both parts work independently, so you can listen to one or the other alone, or you can listen to both.) “Atheistically Speaking” is a relatively new podcast that people may not be familiar with, but at least based on my experience, I definitely recommend that people check it out. Again, here’s part one of the interview, and here’s part two. Enjoy!
*****
Here, by the way, is ordering info for Coming Out Atheist in all three formats — print, ebook, and audiobook!
The Kindle edition is available on Amazon. (That’s the link for Amazon US, btw — it’s available in other regions as well.)
The Nook edition is available at Barnes & Noble.
The Smashwords edition is available on Smashwords. Right now, it’s only available on Smashwords in epub format: I’m working to make it available in other formats.
All ebook editions and formats cost just $9.99.
Print edition:
The print edition is now available through Powell’s Books.
The print edition is also available at Amazon. However, be advised (if you haven’t been already) that seriously abusive labor practices have been reported at Amazon warehouses. Please bear that in mind when you’re deciding where to buy my book — or indeed, where to buy anything. (For the records: Powell’s employees are unionized.) Again, that’s the link for Amazon US — it’s available in other regions as well.
You can also buy the print edition at your local bookstore. If they don’t currently carry it, you can special order it. (Bookstores can get it from standard wholesalers; wholesale info is below.) Support your local bookstore!
The print edition is $17.95 USD. It is published by Pitchstone Publishing.
Wholesale sales of the print edition:
Bookstores and other retailers can get the book from Ingram, Baker & Taylor, and other standard wholesale distributors. It can also be purchased directly from the publisher, Pitchstone Publishing.
Audiobook edition:
The audiobook version is available on Audible.
The audiobook is also available through Amazon.
The audiobook is also available through iTunes.
And yes, I did the recording for it!
Got a nice comment about Coming Out Atheist: How To Do It, How to Help Each Other Do It, And Why! Here’s what cuervocuero had to say about the audiobook version of the book:
I grabbed the Audible version last night.
Aside from the fact that it’s like listening to you (Greta) give really practical advice to the ‘reader’ across a bar table in friendly conversation, I couldn’t help but think other writers should hire you to narrate their non-fiction books.
You’ve got an ‘easy listening’ voice that carries well around a room without having to fiddle with audio and keeps the listening interest attentive to your ‘active’ conversational tone, when (at least this) listener is slightly distracted (working on crafter projects). Some narrators are easy to lose when they become dronish.
Thanks, cuervocuero! And if any of you have read Coming Out Atheist, it’d be awesome if you’d post a review on Amazon.
***
Here, by the way, is ordering info for the book in all three formats — print, ebook, and audiobook!
The Kindle edition is available on Amazon. (That’s the link for Amazon US, btw — it’s available in other regions as well.)
The Nook edition is available at Barnes & Noble.
The Smashwords edition is available on Smashwords. Right now, it’s only available on Smashwords in epub format: I’m working to make it available in other formats.
All ebook editions and formats cost just $9.99.
Print edition:
The print edition is now available through Powell’s Books.
The print edition is also available at Amazon. However, be advised (if you haven’t been already) that seriously abusive labor practices have been reported at Amazon warehouses. Please bear that in mind when you’re deciding where to buy my book — or indeed, where to buy anything. (For the records: Powell’s employees are unionized.) Again, that’s the link for Amazon US — it’s available in other regions as well.
You can also buy the print edition at your local bookstore. If they don’t currently carry it, you can special order it. (Bookstores can get it from standard wholesalers; wholesale info is below.) Support your local bookstore!
The print edition is $17.95 USD. It is published by Pitchstone Publishing.
Wholesale sales of the print edition:
Bookstores and other retailers can get the book from Ingram, Baker & Taylor, and other standard wholesale distributors. It can also be purchased directly from the publisher, Pitchstone Publishing.
Audiobook edition:
The audiobook version is available on Audible.
The audiobook is also available through Amazon.
The audiobook is also available through iTunes.
And yes, I did the recording for it!
It’ll be on their “Weekend” show. It’ll be live in the UK from 6:30 to 8:30 am London time (I’ll be on at the end, at 8:15 am). It’ll be re-broadcast at an assortment of times, depending on which station is picking it up, and it’ll also be on their website, both live and recorded for later listening. (I’ll post a link when the recorded show is posted.) Check it out!
