[JockoManning]

It depends.

I know a number of atheists who act more Christian than many life long Christians I know.

HOWEVER, beliefs have consequences.

Atheists believe that mankind, individuals are nothing more significant or important than a rat, a pigeon, a radish or a rock. Read B.F. Skinner's BEYOND FREEDOM AND DIGNITY.

Christians believe individuals & mankind were created in God's image and for whom God hung Himself on a Cross shedding His priceless Blood in our behalf.

One world view easily and vigorously supports infanticide in the womb because "it's nothing but tissue" and the other view holds that they are living, feeling individuals worthy cherishing and protecting.

Beliefs have consequences and wholesale influence all behaviors.

[mairdie]

I love the people who espouse their beliefs here because they are calling out their joy. When they just burst with it, it’s beautiful. I just object to painting with a broad brush those who disagree with you. Joy, to me, is good. Hatred, when espoused by anyone, is bad.

I love your joy. But people who think people are equivalent to radishes have something going for them, too. I’m very fond of radishes. And I love atheists as dearly as I love Christians.

[MNDude]

CS Lewis wrote a chapter called the good atheist in the bad Christian in his book Mere Christianity. He basically discusses the conundrum of how many times how atheist behave better than Christians. His conclusion was that we do not know how much better and atheists would be if they became a Christian or how much worse a bad Christian would be if they were an atheist. He also said that it is easy for God to make nice things such as friendly puppies so being a nice person has no value while redeeming one into salvation cost him his son’s life.

[Jamestown1630]

Atheists believe that mankind, individuals are nothing more significant or important than a rat, a pigeon, a radish or a rock.

In my experience, a lot of people who call themselves 'atheists' are simply anti-religion, as they've been exposed to religion; they aren't necessarily 'anti-God'.

The idea of a God, a creative First Cause, or a spiritual aspect to the human constitution just hasn't been presented to them in a way that can capture their intellectual respect. In many cases, if the idea were presented differently than our organized religions present it, they might change their minds.