You could not be more wrong about atheism.  It is simply the lack of belief in gods. Calling it a belief system or religion is like calling bald a hair color.  Get it?  We simply don't buy the god thing until there's evidence.  Simple. We're not trying to browbeat anyone into giving up their god stuff, or claiming to have proof there's no god, but we have every right to be equal citizens and to protect our secular government.