WINTER SOLSTICE READING -a short electronic catalog- from American Atheist Press PO Box 14

WINTER SOLSTICE READING -a short electronic catalog- from American Atheist Press PO Box 140195 Austin, TX 78714-0195 http://www.atheists.org/ Order by phone or FAX (512) 467-9525 Place your Visa or MasterCard order by telephone or FAX 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Refer to the accompanying file ORDER.TXT for order form, shipping information, and current pricing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ***** OUR PAGAN CHRISTMAS ***** By R. J. CONDON * What religion celebrated December 25 -- even before Jesus was supposed to have been born? * Where did the Christians get the "born of a virgin" idea? * Were "the three kings" the real stars of the story? * What other "holy families" celebrate important anniversaries during the last month of the year? * Why are trees a traditional part of December celebrations? * Why are certain foods -- like the Christmas goose -- included in the "Christmas cheer"? _Our Pagan Christmas_ explains all of the above (and more) in clear, succinct paragraphs that should start readers on their way to understanding the _real_ meaning of Christmas. This twenty-page booklet can be read quickly on Christmas (or Solstice) Eve -- but the effects may last a lifetime. Includes bibliography. Stapled. 20 pages. Stock #5064. **** CHRISTIANITY BEFORE CHRIST **** By JOHN G. JACKSON What better way to celebrate Christ-mass than taking along, skeptical look at the Christ myth? In _Christianity Before Christ_, John G. Jackson does just that. But first he compares and contrasts the many tales of the origin of humankind, outlining the parallels that exist between the Tahitian myths and Hebrew fables. Examined next are the flood myths, from the Old Testament's Noah to the Babylonian Xisuthrus to the Hindu Satyavrata. With the background of these stories, the numerous savior myths are then investigated. Carefully, the lives of the great messiahs are reviewed. Tales of deities unfamiliar to most Westerners -- Adonis, Attis, Mithra, Prometheus, Krishna, Buddha, and others are told. But did the individual called Jesus ever exist? And if so, when? It is with the answers to these challenging questions that Jackson concludes this work. Includes bibliography and index. Paperback. 238 pages. Stock #5200 ***** A CHRISTMAS SERMON AND THE CONTROVERSY IT AROUSED ***** By ROBERT G. INGERSOLL On December 19, 1891, Robert G. Ingersoll's "Christmas Sermon" was printed in the _Evening Telegram_ newspaper. It was immediately answered by the Rev. Dr. J. M. Buckley, editor of the _Christian Advocate,_ the recognized organ of the Methodist church, under the title "Lies That Are Mountainous" in that journal. He, in his reply, suggested that a newspaper which published the words of Ingersoll should not be allowed in the homes of Christians or of Jews -- thus calling for a boycott of the paper. The _Telegram_ promptly accepted the issue raised by Dr. Buckley and dared him to do his utmost. This set off a fight that was heard around the world. This forty-seven page booklet has all of Ingersoll's replies in the feud. One can only chuckle as Ingersoll mows down Buckley's positions. Stapled. 47 pages. Stock #5148. ****** THE U.F.O. OF BETHLEHEM ****** By FRANK R. ZINDLER Each time Christmas rolls around, newspapers carry articles purporting to be factual discussions of the Star of Bethlehem, quoting astronomers and religious writers. How reliable are such proofs of the story of Jesus' miraculous birth? Not very reliable at all, explains Frank Zindler in this short essay. A science writer and New Testament scholar, he ably demonstrates that the story of the three Magi and the Star of Bethlehem is not only scientifically impossible, it is biblically implausible. Stapled. 14 pages. Stock #5568. ***** THE SOLSTITIAL AND EQUINOCTIAL SEASONS ***** By FRANK R. ZINDLER Sending your seasonal greetings to a friend, but unsure of how to explain what the Solstices and Equinoxes are all about? Help has arrived! This small brochure explains these astronomical events scientifically and poetically. Easy to read, with clear diagrams. _The Solstitial and Equinoctial Seasons_ will tell your friends not only what these events are, but why they should be celebrated. Printed on attractive green paper, they are a perfect insert into your seasonal letters and greeting cards. Or pop one in with your presents! They are sold in sets of two dozen. 3-3/4" x 4-3/4". 4 pages. Solstice Explanation Stock #2006 ********************************************************************** Refer to the accompanying file ORDER.TXT for order form, shipping information, and current pricing. *********************************************************************** * * * American Atheists website: http://www.atheists.org * * PO Box 140195 FTP: ftp://ftp.atheists.org * * Austin, TX 78714-0195 * * Voice: (512) 458-1244 Dial-THE-ATHEIST: * * FAX: (512) 467-9525 (512) 458-5731 * * * * Atheist Viewpoint TV: avtv@atheists.org * * Info on American Atheists: info@atheists.org, * * & American Atheist Press include your name and mailing address * * AANEWS -Free subscription: aanews-request@listserv.atheists.org * * and put "info aanews" in message body * * * * This text may be freely downloaded, reprinted, and/other * * otherwise redistributed, provided appropriate point of * * origin credit is given to American Atheists. * * * ***********************************************************************