A big part of the problem is public misunderstanding about what it means to be an atheist. When people find out I'm an atheist, they often take it as a personal attack on their belief in god. Coming out of the closet as an atheist opened me up to all sorts of social problems. People defriended me on facebook, others started attacking me in comments, and I still get books from relatives who think I'm an idiot for not believing in god.

But I don't walk around all day thinking, "There's no god." The concept of god simply isn't something that ever factors into my thinking. I believe in science, rationality, the Enlightenment. I believe in all the human beings all over the world who I rely on and who make my life wonderful.

But I am also painfully aware of "Religious Privilege" in America. I must carry the words, "In God We Trust" on my money. My children are forced to pledge allegiance, "Under God" every morning at school. At the Coast Guard base where I used to work as a contractor, our group lunches and other gatherings were opened with a prayer to "Our Lord Jesus Christ." I was even asked to resign from our moral committee shortly after I requested we change our "Christmas Party" to a "Holiday Party."

Is it any wonder people are reluctant to admit they don't believe in god?