Interesting.
Yes, this is largely an American issue.
Atheists don't believe any gods are real.
Agnostics neither believe nor disbelieve - they just aren't sure.
But atheists do not have faith in there being no gods - they have usually concluded it, like Dawkins in The God Delusion.

Some of us are becoming fundamentalist atheists - insisting that the atheist point of view be given as much respect as any theistic point of view. That is what is getting harder and harder in the US - the Bush agenda includes making this into a Christian nation that puts up with other monotheists. That would be a great tragedy and a huge step backwards for humanity, IMHO.

Some of us are becoming evangelical atheists - who try to convince believers not to believe any more. Now, that can be FUN, if done right.

Europe and Canada are pretty much post-religious - now if we can drag the US into the post-modern world!