There are plenty of atheists (or let's say non-theist) churches and organizations trying to emulate churches. There are in fact plenty of books written on the t

There are plenty of atheists (or let's say non-theist) churches and organizations trying to emulate churches. There are in fact plenty of books written on the topic. I read one recently but cannot recall the name or author, essentially promoting exactly what you said in your comment (he was a UC Philosophy professor I think) As a devout religious person, let me say there are plenty of religious folks who don't believe in God, and who do not see a contradiction in this (whether or not they say so). There are those who reject the traditional doctrine of Christianity (God included) and who those who focus so keenly on the traditions that they care little for the concept of God. On the reverse side of the coin, there are plenty of people who I know who claim to be Rational Atheists but who are barely able to reason. I have also met people who claim to be Atheists but who are at "best" Agnostic, or "worst" they are, deep down, Thiests. Hearing someone "I am a Christian/Muslim" means very little. Hearing them say "I am Atheist" might mean a little more (as in it is not the default choice) but also says very little about what they really believe deep down. It comes down to who you wish to associate with. It is easier to be a Christian politician in the USA than an Atheist politician, and, if my college days were anything to go by, easier to be an Atheist student or professor than a devout religious student/professor.