Jeebus!

Many years ago, in high school, a classmate gave to her friend a cross for her birthday. My friend told the other girl "You know I am Atheist, I won't wear it...take your cross back."

I would say "thanks", bin them and never mention it again.
Alternatively, you could wait till his birthday comes round and give him a book on science.

Just say, Thank you so much, I just love Epic Fantasy with lots of Magic, Sex and Violence!

joie de vivre. I'd say thank you ... no more, no less, protect your work environment. Happy BD !

Give them back to him with a big smile and so "No thanks."

Personally, I would accept his gift as it was intended; a gift on your birthday.

Here is my 2 cents worth. Apparently your co worker is a religious person and may think everyone else also is. I don't see a reason to involve HR into this because it may be an innocent gesture, however thoughtless. Just thank her and close the case, Then do whatever you want with the books. If in the feature she brings up the subject of religion, you can always say you feel religion is a very private belief for everyone and you don't feel comfortable to discuss it with anyone.

If someone did that to me, I'd respectfuly return them, say I wasn't interested in religion, or just donate them to a library for their monthly used book sales. But even if I donated them, I'd still tell the person, and probably ask them politely NOT to give me any more.

Donate them to the company library , is there is one. If not, donate them to your local Salvation Army shelter. They don't ask questions (unless you want to spend the night).

If he's nice just say thank you. if he asks tell him the truth.

Put the book back on their desk.

A coworker gave me for Christmas "God's Not Dead" on DVD. She does know my position, and we've discussed it enough that she must realize I didn't come to my viewpoint lightly or without serious consideration of the available arguments for and against religion and the various metaphysical claims. (I don't go out of my way to talk about religion with coworkers, but if it happens to come up I don't sidestep it.) But she is rather judgmental and can't help herself from trying to convert me (albeit in a rather passive-aggressive way). She had left the giftwrapped case at my desk, though she had mentioned it to me previously via email (without specifying what the gift was), so I didn't have to feign appreciation or make any tongue-in-cheek comments to offset the awkwardness, and I was able to just ignore her gesture. The thing is, I would never give someone a video or book about how Yahweh isn't real or how Christianity is rubbish — and not just because I'm a cheap bastard; her religious views are her own and have nothing to do with me, and I wouldn't disrespect her by giving her such a "gift." Even if we were close friends, rather than friendly acquaintances/coworkers, a gift like that wouldn't be inappropriate.

So my suggestion, especially because you don't discuss religious beliefs at all with coworkers, is to ignore it and not bring it up to him. If he brings it up, maybe just say that you appreciate the gesture but you prefer to keep work professional and don't like to muddy the waters with personal discussions about religion, politics, etc., whatever is off limits to you, that might have emotions running high and interfere with maintaining a healthy and respectful work environment.

I would just say thank you. If I felt comfortable enough with the person I would let them know my beliefs.

Straight to HR

Oh ick....I have no idea how I’d react.

My boss gave me a book on eat less/move more. I’m the only fatty at my job. I know she meant well but I found it pretty cruel.

Sometimes people just don’t think.

If you don’t want people at work to know you are a nonbeliever just accept the gifts and thank him.

Just thank him and tell him that you are a non believer...