A Better Life

Fundraising for the book is complete! Thanks to all our early buyers, development and production of the book has begun. If you missed the chance to preorder the book through Kickstarter, don't worry, you will be able to buy a copy once it's complete.

The myth persists. Even in our modern world, countless people believe that without God, one’s life has no purpose or meaning — that our lives are devoid of joy and happiness because we are not religious.

“…rigorous atheism casts a wasting shadow over every human hope and endeavor.”
Ross Douthat, The New York Times, on Christopher Hitchens' death, December 2011.

Those of us who are atheists know this is not the case. That’s where this project comes in…

I’m a New York-based photographer, and I’m going to be traveling through the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom putting together a book of photographic portraits of atheists. From the college professor, to the farmer in Kansas, I want to document my fellow atheists and ask them what brings meaning and joy to their lives. The goal of the book is to visually capture the diversity of non-believers and the ways they maintain a better life, not in spite of their atheism, but because of it.

To me, the atheist life is a better life and it deserves to be celebrated. To see reality as it is, to explore mystery with an open mind, and to make the most of this life knowing there is no promise of any other. This is a richer, fuller and more meaningful existence than one clouded and limited by superstition and promises of an afterlife.

The finished product will be a hardcover, professionally printed, large coffee table book featuring all 100+ photos in full color. In addition to their photo, each subject will share personal insights and stories that bear witness to joy and meaning in their lives.

Sincerely,

Chris Johnson

chris@theatheistbook.com

A few of the people currently slated to appear in the book:

  • Dr. Richard Dawkins, biologist/author
  • Derren Brown, illusionist/mentalist
  • Alex Honnold, free solo rock climber
  • PZ Myers, evolutionary biologist/blogger
  • Dr. Daniel Dennett, philosopher/cognitive scientist
  • Dr. Lawrence M. Krauss, theoretical physicist/author
  • Matt Dillahunty, host of The Atheist Experience
  • Dr. Michael Shermer, founder of Skeptic Magazine/author
  • Rebecca Watson, blogger/speaker
  • Matthew Chapman, film director/writer
  • Julia Sweeney, comedian
  • Dr. Steven Novella, neurologist
  • Greta Christina, blogger/speaker
  • Chris Mooney, host of Point of Inquiry/author
  • Dr. Patricia Churchland, neurophilosopher
  • Dr. Carolyn Porco, planetary scientist
  • D.J. Grothe, president, JREF
  • Beth Presswood & Lynnea Glasser, Godless Bitches podcast
  • David Silverman, president, American Atheists
  • Dr. Steven Pinker, cognitive scientist/author
  • Hemant Mehta, blogger
  • Brian Dunning, host, Skeptoid podcast
  • Jessica Ahlquist, First Amendment hero
  • Roy Speckhardt, executive director, American Humanist Association

…and many more!