http://rawstory.com/08/news/2009/08/26/polls-show-atheists/  ------ link. This is a little article simply saying that atheists are on the rise in America. It basically saids there growing bye leaps and bounds and 15% see them self's as atheist. So what do you think about this. Like are not this vocal minority group is growing bye leaps and bounds. I consider myself  the non-religious type. I don't think athesist deserve the push-back they get from christian groups,simply because of the way the see the world. What makes christianity any more valid than what the atheist believe's. I can't stand it when some religious person tries to force there view's on you. I think the bible is nothing but a morality book,trying to tell you how you should act. I'm not going to try to force this view on some christian person,so why do they feel the need to force there view's on me. I live in Oklahoma,which is often called the bible belt,so please understand my rant. What makes atheists any less valid,then any other group?

I think it's great.  But them I'm an atheist so I guess I would, wouldn't I?

But actually, it is great.

I don't like the way atheism is being talked about as a belief, why do they have to be categorised by a specific name and stereotype, why can't they just be dudes and dudettes who don't believe in God because they just don't give a shit.

Anyway, the more people who are brought up non-religious, the better. I still get frustrated when my little cousins talk about these supernatural events and I'm not allowed to educate them because my auntie want's them to be brought up under the whole 'catholics are the majority and we want to be awesome to' guidelines.

Interesting. I remember watching a programme on TV about how there were more atheists than Jewish people in the US yet Jewish people had far more representation and allowances than atheists. It's actually kinda sad that they've had to form these groups as stated in the article to give themselves a voice.

i am atheist and i view it as my religion.  Now I agree Christians have been dicks about pushing their religion on others, but so have atheists.  Muslims too actually.

Basically, more than anything I believe in the freedom of religion and wish all side did as well.

I think it is somewhat interesting that atheism sounds like a religious organization without the religion. Reminds me of south park episode where atheism belief was split in three. 

Personally I am non-religious but not atheist either( Deism is the closest thing I fit), I don't need groups to follow.

This. I'm a christian but I don't go around trying to start religious converstations everywhere or trying to convert people. If they ask I'll talk but otherwise I just want to interact with everyone as human beings without treating religion as a barrier.

It's always the extremists from every group that make the entire group look bad.

God bless 'em ;-D

So... Atheism is your religon?

What are your atheist rituals? Who is the higher-up in the Atheist church?

Religon isn't just believing, religon is a system, Atheists (like me) believe that there is no higher power, however, that is only a belief, nothing other than that.

Really?  No one forces me to go to church.  In fact I haven't been to church in ages.  Yet I still believe in my religion.  Religion does not require groups at all.  In fact it is probably best to practice religion by yourself and get your own unique experience and views from it.

At the same time, aetheists are now forming groups with higher-ups.  This article basically just stated that.  So even by your own definition Atheism is becoming a form of systematic religion.