Non-theism, NOT [anti-theism].
Not believing in a god, and often, the divine and supernatural in general.
[Atheisms] followers are called Atheists; many ignorant rednecks, however, mistake them for anti-chrisians, satanists, et cetera. Many atheists [be that way] secretly, to avoid persecution, they are called closet atheists.
[Atheism] is bases upon the fact that there is absolutely no solid evidence to show that gods exist. Primitave humans invented gods to explain things they were not advanced enough to explain themselves. Once civiliation was secured, philosophy and science could really start. Parent-to-child indocterination, mostly, has kept religion alive this far.
A word for the western world... They say that atheists single-out chrisitans, never bothering jews, muslums, hindus, etc. Sometimes, thats true in countries where christians are the majority. And when thats the case, they tend to make life hard for minorities. In America, most persecution against atheists comes from christians; so, contempt for christians is developed.
Foolish persons blame the death of over 100 million on the [atheism] of Stalin and Mao. To assume anyone would base EVERY action on their religion, or lack of one, is uterly irrational. Stalin was paranoid, he killed anyone he had the slightest bad feeling about. His perscution of the orthodox church was not for the sake of atheism, but punishment for supporting the czars. He spared muslums not because of hate for just jews, christians, and such; he was building relationships with middle-eastern countries. Mao killed mostly to conquer the [Chinese government] and to secure [communisms] power. Oh, and the holocaust? That was borderline judeophibic [anti-semitism], not atheism.
To counter the preveous, think... [the crusades], think of witch hunts, of 9/11, gay-bashing, violent jihad, the KKK, the [Westboro] Baptis Church, [the inquisition], jewish segregation, to name a few...
They say atheists have no morals, ethics, values... nothing holding them back. Simply put, thats bullshit. Theyre no less moral than theists. And truely, you must question the sanity of someone who behaves himself ONLY out of fear of eternal torment.
Roughly 75% of Americans are christians, and at least 10% are atheists.
Now, lets check American prisons...
Roughly 80% of inmates are christians, and less than 0.5% are atheists.