GUEST,Lighter Actually I really don't care for the term Atheist. I much prefer and use FreeThinker. Atheist still has theism in it. As to the idea that by definition an atheist isn't concerned with humanity is simply misguided propaganda. Most atheists I've talked to are very concerned with humanity and the human condition and how that has been corrupted by religion.

When the US went into Vietnam, there was the religious support for it because it involved the reaction of the "other", something that religion always inculcates in its followers.
There was the "Anti-communist Christian Crusade" still active during Vietnam. The general pervading mood of the political system under LBJ was religious. There was virtually no outlet for any American to object to Vietnam legally without the "Supreme Being" litmus test.

Japan attacked China because they believed differently, a different culture and religion.
You have to remember who Tojo and Horohito were. What about the Kamakaze tea ceremonies? Remember the fanatics who were like Muslim extremists who flew their airplanes into enemy targets?

Einstein wanted to use the a-bomb on Berlin and was shocked when it was used in Hiroshima. A hidden religious component is there.

The USSR invaded Poland to save souls, communist souls. Gaddafi is probably thinking that the rebels are bad Muslims.

Old Testament slaughters, etc. are the rule rather than the exceptions and they were about religion. Saying "it ain't so" doesn't make it so. History tells us a different story.

If a bellicose leader calls on religion to whip up followers, there must be something wrong with that religion for allowing this to happen. From Constantine to Rick Perry, that is evident.

Most religious doctrines call for war, not peace. That's why there are so few conscientious objectors compared to willing participants in the military. Pacifists on religious grounds are definitely in the minority. God loves war. in the bible, he's created so many of them.

Atheists are not necessarily nicer but they are more rational.

Religious people are not nice because of their religion. In fact, most often they turn into little monsters.

Fortunately, today, young people are turning away from religion towards secularism. The growing interest and defection of young people from churches and religious institutions has been statistically documented.

Older people who are entrenched with their social, religious and political ideas find it hard to adapt to new thinking. Religion is unsustainable.