Perhaps it's just that these atheists are getting more organized, but I come across them all the time in Ireland - particularly in left-wing and academic circles. Some of them can be very insulting to religious people. About this time ,last year there was a "crucifixion party" organized as an alternative to Good Friday in Dublin by people claiming to be atheists . The crudest stuff imaginable and all done in the name of freedom of speech . A lot of these new atheists started to make their presence felt in support of the Danish anti-Muslim cartoons a few years ago, then started turning their attention to Christians .

I do agree that we're not witnessing the birth of a a new religion as such , but people could be forgiven if they see eratz religion : the proselytizing ,all the talk about secular ethics , the organizing of atheist Sunday services etc.......