Obviously there are a number of atheists posting at this site. It would be interesting to explore what atheism means to us. In particular, I find myself very much out outside of traditional atheist views, and apparently behaviours, as I am currently a member of the RSOF. On the other hand there are no shortage of atheists within the RSOF. It is nice to think that the acceptance of Atheists (and Jews among others) is "systems and practice are props and sorcery that are hangovers from their history."  In a small part I think that it is even true. Early calls for religious tolerance of Jews and Muslims, as well as early support for Native American Spirituality in some cases over Christianity within a framework that outsiders call consensus seems to eventually have evolved to their logical conclusion - and now provide acceptance for atheists as true equals. As for whether we need it or not, that certainly is not up to you. Your own needs, on the other hand, are your own business, and no one has the right to tell you that you should seek organised, or for that matter unorganised religion. This is the area that bothers me a lot - the atheist version of if you don't believe you are going to hell.

Perhaps like the ex smoker being the most militant anti smoking I am quite conscious of a very strong anti-religion streak within myself. In part it was through exploring this anti-religious streak that I ended up where I am.

For myself too, I became an atheist at fairly young age - unable to find answers to who created god that were remotely satisfying. I have not yet found any answers that are remotely satisfying for myself, but I do note that others have found answers to questions that are important to them that satisfy them. For them, they have a belief in god that I do not share. This does not bother me long as they don't think I am any less for it.

_{aspiring to genteel poverty}