Holiday Letter from the American Aethists

Dear Friends,

I’m excited to share what I know you’ve all been waiting for: Our 2013 holiday billboard campaign is up & running.

We went all-out this year with a stunningly huge 40-foot by 40-foot animated digital display at the heart of Times Square in New York City.

The animation runs 15 seconds every twenty minutes and you can watch it on our YouTube channel here (animation) or here (video footage from Times Square), or read more about the campaign here. The campaign runs throughDecember 18th before relocating to a dramatic 3-board display at Penn Plaza in Midtown Manhattan, overlooking Penn Station and Madison Square Garden.

The message is simple: The “holiday season” isn’t about Jesus. It’s about spending time with your family and friends, eating great food, doing charity work, giving gifts to the people you love—a hundred wonderful things that have nothing at all to do with religion.

I’m putting out a call to atheists who are still in the closet. This year, start a new tradition: Skip church. If it’s not where you want to be, don’t go! Spend more time with your family. Volunteer. Do whatever you want to do that makes this season special for you and yours.

Speaking of special, one of the best holiday surprises I know of is a gift registration to the American Atheists National Convention on Easter weekend (April 17-20) in Salt Lake City, Utah. I also encourage you to visit our Web Store: We have a huge “50 for 50” Solstice Sale in celebration of our 50th Anniversary. Many items including solstice cards, 50th Anniversary merchandise, clothing, and more, are all 50% off just in time for the holidays. Plus, we have anew selection of exclusive Surlyramics ceramic necklaces from Surly Amy, commissioned just for American Atheists, featuring 3 all-new designs—ONLY available through our Web Store.