Greta Christina - The Way of the Heathen: Practicing Atheism in Everyday Life

A glorious celebration.

Dan Barker, author of Life Driven Purpose: How an Atheist Finds Meaning

Over the years, and through a variety of publications, Greta Christina has helped us better understand atheism and atheists. With The Way of the Heathen Greta has done it again. Gretas hallmark insights, biting humor, and straight-talk will lead you through some of the most important issues and practices shaping what it means to be an atheist in the 21st century. But, whether you are an atheist, a theist, or something in between, this book provides aha moments that will challenge and inspire. You really should read it. I recommend it highly.

Anthony B. Pinn, author of Writing Gods Obituary: How a Good Methodist Became a Better Atheist

Another bright gem from Greta Christina an engaging, conversational, thoughtful, frank, funny, and ever timely exploration of life lived well without religion. The array of topics addressed is as impressive as the pervasive insights throughout.

Phil Zuckerman, author of Living the Secular Life

Quick-paced irresistible logic laced through with Greta Christinas humor, practical compassion, and love of life. In The Way of the Heathen, Greta Christina tackles topics that should feel like lifes homework justice, meaning, morality, death, love, struggle and sexuality and somehow, by working her quirky magic, turns them into chunks of bedtime reading without losing nuance or depth.

Valerie Tarico, Ph.D., author of Trusting Doubt: A Former Evangelical Looks at Old Beliefs in a New Light

Whether its politics, sex or Morris dancing, Greta Christina has the answers youve been searching for and the ones you didnt know you needed. She offers a succinct guide to life as a nonbeliever, describing all the joys and all the trials youre likely to face, from the mundane to the cosmic, and gives her patented and pithy wisdom on what to do when youre in the midst of them. Whether youre a baby atheist or a secular elder, youll find something here to amuse, enlighten, or change the way you think.

Adam Lee, author of Daylight Atheism

Engaged from the first page. While The Way of the Heathen abounds with anecdotes and analogies, what I take away most is Greta Christinas nuanced, down-to-earth, around the breakfast table with a cup of coffee manner of speech. As with her previous books, The Way of the Heathen speaks TO YOU, not at you a gift not often bestowed upon readers by atheist authors. The book is dense with facts, but Greta Christinas handling of scientific data and philosophical questioning doesnt go over your head but instead moves you to question your current perspectives and beliefs in an abrupt but non-confrontational manner. It is an easy to read book that will challenge you in the most unexpected ways, whether you are a secularist, believer or somewhere in between.

Bridgett Crutchfield, President and Founder, Black Nonbelievers of Detroit

If you are a newcomer to atheism in America in the twenty-first century you will be glad to spend time with Greta Christina in her new book The Way of the Heathen. Written with clarity and humor, the book tours some of the key issues facing someone who has recently emerged from a life defined by Christian belief. Christina roots her exploration in her own experience of awakening from religious dogma, and her candor is one of the particularly strong aspects of this much-needed work.

Jennifer Michael Hecht, author of Doubt: A History

If Richard Dawkins is best known for helping people figure out that they are atheists, Greta Christina is the communitys leader who holds their hand from that point forward. Following up on her thorough guide on Coming Out Atheist, she now offers an exploration of how to take that secular identity and apply it throughout a persons life. The Way of the Heathen covers everything from a persons day-to-day experiences and interpersonal interactions to the universes big questions and the most vexing moral, political, and social justice issues facing 21st Century society. Whats great is that Christina doesnt tell the reader exactly what to think, but offers a convincing perspective from which to orient their own positions. This is the perfect book for anyone who has gotten a taste of skepticism and now hungers to make even more meaning out of their brief existence despite living in a world that privileges religious beliefs and practices.

Zack Ford, LGBT Editor, ThinkProgress.org

This is the best atheist book Ive read. And no, Im not just saying that because Greta and I are friends. How do atheists find meaning? How do we cope with death? Why does atheism demand social justice? Many books eloquently criticize religion, but far fewer attempt to tackle these types of tough questions. The Way of the Heathen doesnt claim to be an atheist bible, but it does share invaluable insights and forces you to think deeply about a variety of difficult topics. Complete with Greta Christinas sharp wit and humor, this thought-provoking book is a must-read for people all over the religious spectrum.

Matthew Facciani, sociologist and activist

An indispensible, fresh, fearlessly honest guide for new atheists, not-so-new atheists, and questioning believers for wrestling with the big questions, fighting the good fight and living the good life in our wonderful, terrible universe. From the subatomic world of the quarks in the atoms of your index finger to the enormous gigantitude of the known universe, take Gretas hand and come learn why Augustine was full of crap, how to fall in love the atheist way, what Spocks Brain can tell us about religion, and the joy of creating meaning in your life.

David Fitzgerald, author of Nailed and The Complete Heretics Guide to Western Religion series

For Ingrid.

SO YOUVE DECIDED TO BE AN ATHEIST!

Caring About Reality: Why It Matters What We Dont Believe

Skepticism as a Discipline

The Uses of Irrationality, and its Limitations

The Sweet Mystery of Life

Atheist Meaning in a Small, Brief Life

Why Are We Here?

The Human Animal

Living Each Day As If It Were Your Last

Two Different Ways to Be a Good Person

Good Intentions

Starting With the Assumption That Im Wrong

Should We Care What Other People Think?

Doing It Right: An Atheist View of Sexual Ethics

Consent

Why Atheism Needs Social Justice And How That Might Work

Why Yes, But Is the Wrong Response to Misogyny

The Part About Black Lives Mattering Where White People Shut Up and Listen

Trans People and Basic Human Respect

Sex Work and a Catch-22

The Pros and Cons of Caring About Other People

Bad Luck and the Comfort of Reason

How Humanism Helps With Depression Except When It Doesnt

Mental Illness and Responsibility

My Body is the Knife: The Reality of Medical Uncertainty

Everything Happens For a Reason

The Problem of Nuance in a Wonderful and Terrible World

Permanent Struggle

Some Comforting Thoughts About Death, and When They Dont Work

What Do You Say to Grieving Non-Believers?

Dealing with Death in an Unjust World

Atheist Funerals

Atheism in a Shitstorm

What Would Happen If We All Came Out?

How Confrontation Can Open Doors

Atheists in the Pride Parade: Churlishness and Integrity

Atheism and Friendship

Compassion for the Religious

Is It Okay to Persuade Believers Out of Religion?