surely the idea of atheism is that you don't need nor want a Creed or set of rules?

Hmmm - surely any decent person has their own methodology, "do as you would be done by" sort of whittles it down to one mantra. Rules exist live with it, people make their own, good or bad. Some people prefer guidance, some more than others.

The reason religion can produce good people is by any other name - a methodology.

The reason religion can produce evil is that assertive people can usurp the willingness of others to follow strong leadership. Creeping infallibility is not unknown in at least one religion.

The problem atheism throws up (in this context) is that individuals have to be responsible for for their own ultruism.

My faith is in human nature, that shitty people actually exist.
And not all of them are atheists. But atheist don't get absolution from confession.