Not "the atheists" Backwoodsman, just me. And I'm not even an atheist. I'm the one who keeps saying imaginary friend if you check. I'm the one who uses the term rational as opposed to religious.

You will also note I dismiss religion as superstition.

Yet I'm not an atheist.

Rather strange? Only to those whose comfort blanket (you missed that one) is blocking their ears and eyes.

No matter what nice things you can say about religion, it isn't rational to apply ancient stories to physically describe either gaps or alternatives to science. As the god concept is to use your imagination and find comfort in that, imaginary friend isn't such a big deal.

But atheist is a word cooked up by religious people as a term of contempt for rational people. It means without theological belonging. It means you are not a member of the club.

Well, I've been thrown out of far nicer clubs, far more respectable ones and certainly far more exclusive ones. Most of them don't allow you in wearing jeans. The religious clubs prefer you if you are desperate or vulnerable if you notice.

I believe the term to be salvation.

Apparently, shaking your head smiling at our pious friends is militant atheism.

No. Militant atheism requires a few timber poles, cross members, ladders and hammer and nails. I just prefer to marvel at sanctimonious hypocrisy. Nobody gets hurt.