Controversy over Hollywood Christmas Parade's atheist grand marshals

Rob Hayes Image
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Controversy over Hollywood Christmas Parade's atheist grand marshals
Penn and Teller are the grand marshals of this weekend's Hollywood Christmas Parade -- but they're also outspoken atheists.

HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES, CA -- Is Christmas under attack?

If you listen to the folks upset about coffee cups, you may get the feeling that Starbucks hates Christmas because the company's holiday cups were just red -- no Christmas ornaments like Starbucks cups in the past.

Now, one of Southern California's most famous holiday events -- the Hollywood Christmas Parade -- has picked Penn and Teller for its grand marshals.

The duo is known around the world for their comedic magic act and their TV show "Penn & Teller: Fool Us."

But Penn Jillette, the tall blustery part of the team, is a well-known atheist and the author of "Every Day is an Atheist Holiday" and "God, No! Signs You May Already Be An Atheist and Other Magical Tale."

Jillette has tweeted about the irony of his selection as grand marshal, and in another tweet, he says that Christmas is "just a secular holiday."

Penn and Teller were unavailable for an interview, and we couldn't reach anyone from the Hollywood Christmas Parade to comment.

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