AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.
http://www.atheists.org
http://www.americanatheist.org
http://www.AtheistViewpoint.tv
http://www.atheists.org/solstice.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DEC. 8, 2000

For more information, please contact:
Ellen Johnson, President      (973) 334-5110
Ron Barrier, Spokesperson     (718) 967-6453

            Just what do Atheists do when "Christmas" comes?
                      In Case You Want to Know...

    While the month of December is closely identified with religious holidays
including "Christmas," "Hanukah," "Kwanzaa" and "Ramadan," many  Americans
who have no religious beliefs celebrate a "natural holiday" which occurs at
this time of year.

    December is the month when the Winter Solstice takes place; this is the
time when the sun reaches its lowest point in its apparent annual journey
across the sky, seen from the Northern Hemisphere.  The celebration of
Solstice predates the Christian religion, and was acknowledged as an
important, annual marker for the course of the year.

    Many Atheists celebrate the Winter Solstice, which this year takes place
on Thursday, December 21.  There is nothing mystical or supernatural about
the event; it is simply a time which some choose to acknowledge the
importance of the natural world and the fact that we are part of it -- and
it's a good excuse to party with friends and relatives. So, we say,
celebrate!

    American Atheists is famous for its line of Winter Solstice Greeting
Cards and other seasonal items, which can be viewed at
http://www.atheists.org/solstice.html

    If your news organization would like to know what the "rest of us" do, we
can help with background material, commentary and even contacts -- real
Atheists who celebrate this time of year in their own, distinct way.

American Atheists, Inc.
P.O. Box 5733
Parsippany, NJ 07054-6733
Tel: (908) 276-7300
Fax: (908) 276-7402