Exactly. You either really believe, forthrightly don't believe, or engage in hypocrisy. You don't "choose" to believe. It's not like ordering off a menu.
Right on. And I am so glad to be living here, in the US, and now, when its become more socially acceptable to be an agnostic or atheist. Though, I rarely discuss my religious beliefs (or lack of belief) with the people around me in my daily life. Its a non-factor and just doesn't come up very often. Only people with misconceptions about atheism would be shocked.