The proper answer to this question is "Since I have no belief in any deity while not affirming that no deities exist, I am an atheist of the weak variety rather than a strong atheist. This is distinct from being an agnostic, is it not, who when asked if God exists answers, 'Maybe'?"
A better answer than "?", I'm sure you'll agree.
Kip: “The proper answer to this question is “Since I have no belief in any deity while not affirming that no deities exist, I am an atheist of the weak variety rather than a strong atheist. This is distinct from being an agnostic, is it not, who when asked if God exists answers, ‘Maybe’?”
My reply:
The intellectually honest agnostic answers something like “I don’t know, really. I suppose it’s possible God exists, I’m just not convinced of it”. He could answer “maybe” as a short-cut to his true answer, of course.
I would propose that your “weak atheist” categorization is another way of saying “I don’t believe there is a God, although I’m not saying he doesn’t exist either”. Leaving open the door to the possibility of God existing. Sounds like an agnostic with an identity confusion issue.
In any event, I agree with you that each individual is free to hold whatever beliefs he chooses to hold.