@JtH - In fairness Jack - I have been badgering goodlife for ages to put links rather than cut and paste unattributed text :)
I agree with Naomi - Alain De Botton is not a particularly insightful author, and in common with many of these alleged deep thinkers, far too full of themselves :)
@Goodlife - You talk of knowing many atheists converting to JW. I think you, to put it politely, exaggerate. And whilst you might not know any JWs who have renounced their faith and becomes atheists i know of at least 2, so it does happen.
And you might protest about the shunning - but their are far too many independent reports saying that this very thing happens.
In is an interesting article, but I really do think it is something of a gimmick and something of a fad, purpose designed to court publicity. Most atheists I know would recoil at the very idea of some sort of organised ceremonial weekly commemoration of our atheism most especially if it is happy -clappy! :)
I think i will save my singalongs for the odd drunken celebration down at the pub or at christmas......