Personally, I'm OK with the idea that life is just atoms. Even if I think it's something more and I'm wrong, so what? Let my little atomic self live in ignorance and be happy. Or let me know it and not care. Really, it's just one fewer things to worry about in the long run.

And no, atheists are often not particularly safe, or at least welcome. They definitely don't inspire warm fuzzy feelings in Texas. It doesn't change my stance as an atheist, but come down here and try to convince the average Baptist that atheists aren't out to destroy the world order. Really, I'd just like myself and my allegedly-separated-church-and-state to be left alone.