Atheism- The New Religion of the Next Generation?

The trend has definately picked up in the last few years, of atheists coming forward. I don't know that it's that there's more OF us, really, but that we feel more comfortable speaking up about it. I'm an atheist, and a rather active one I suppose. I'm a member of several atheist forums and blog groups, I write articles and blogs regarding religion, atheism and related topics, and consider myself relatively well informed on the issue. Most of the athiests in these groups, forums and websites have held their lack of beliefs either forever, or for a long period of time, but didn't feel comfortable coming forward thanks to religion being a predominant factor in most communities. To answer your actual question, I do see religion as harmful. If people could keep it personal and private as it was meant to be, I likely wouldn't .. but they don't. Organized religion has caused more harm than good, and I'm happy to see it dwindling. I could care less what a persons individual beliefs are, and am fully supporting of faith and *personal* beliefs ... however I'm completely anti-religious. I wouldn't say it will fall 'soon', but the downfall is definately in sight.

In my opinion, religion will remain a major factor of the world, not only the west. I don't see atheism as a religion, but as a lack of belief. I think that religions will fall and others will raise, religion helped form the west society, this is undeniable. It also harmed the world, but since I cannot put myself on an impartial point of view, I cannot say it helped or harmed more.