We don't attack people for what they believe.

We do however, criticize those beliefs systems.



An attack on us personally might be construed as an attempt to classify our non-beliefs as a religion and is "impolite" if we follow that logic. Religious ideas are not sacrosanct and above scrutiny for their efficacy or reality. Non-religious ideas as well.

If non-belief is held up to scrutiny by zealous religionists, than we who are forced into calling ourselves atheists have the same right to scrutinize religion.