A Better Life: 100 Atheists Speak Out on Joy and Meaning in a World Without God

[rug]

The journey of A Better Life began in July 2011, when I visited White Sands National Monument with my brother on a road trip through the Southwestern United States. It struck me in the natural beauty, how many 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.

I decided to travel through the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom and put together a book of photographic portraits. From the airline pilot, to the musician, I wanted to document my fellow atheists and ask them what brings meaning and joy to their lives. The goal of the book was 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 raise money for the project, I turned to the crowd-funding site, Kickstarter, where, thanks to publicity from the atheist community, it took off. At the time, A Better Life was the second-highest grossing publishing projects in the history of the site. I then spent a year and a half on the road, meeting people from many different backgrounds and experiences. It was an incredible experience. From the cliffs of Yosemite National Park, to swimming in San Francisco Bay, to the English countryside, to the shores of Lake Constance in Germany; join me on this journey.

http://www.theatheistbook.com/pages/about-us

50 bucks. Ships January 1, 2014.

[Faux pas]

1. Sounds interesting

but 50 bucks is a little steep for this agnostic turned atheist. Will it ever be available on Amazon?

[rug]

3. I expect so. The pre-order only is exclusive to this website.

Meanwhile, here's a short trailer.

[cbayer]

2. This looks really good. Good for Kickstarter for helping to fund it.

BTW, White Sands National Monument will blow you away. It is amazing and totally unexpected.

[rug]

4. The furthest west I've been is Rapid City, SD.

[cbayer]

5. You have previously mentioned that your travel experience has been very limited.

I find that both surprising and somewhat sad.

I am currently planning my drive down the Baja Peninsula. I love to travel and the more unfamiliar it is, the better.

My family took extensive road trips when I was a kid and I think that's where I got the bug.

Just do it!!

[rug]

6. Rub it in!