1. We want to ban Christmas.

We may have none of the beliefs that go along with the holiday, but there is sentimental value there for a number of us. The family puts aside their differences long enough to sit down and enjoy each other's company, if only for a day. Why would we want to take that away? Plus, we have no right to tell anyone how to express their beliefs. If Christmas means something to you, you should be able to celebrate it. Period.

2. We are rude and disrespectful.

Some of us, yes, but not because we're atheists. Some of the nicest people I've ever met were either atheist or agnostic - it does nothing for our character at all. Why should it? Our beliefs may differ, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to treat you with unconditional love and respect.

3. We are angry, unhappy people with nothing to live for.

Because we don't believe in any god? What does one have to do with the other? If anything, we believe that nothing comes next - all the more reason to live life to the fullest while we're here; Take risks, meet new people, try new things, go to places we've never seen, enjoy ourselves, be happy. Forever focusing on our inevitable demise is pointless; we might as well live how we want while we still can.

4. We think we are superior.

Yes, we believe that we are right, but doesn't everyone? Everyone thinks they are right 100% of the time - we would never vouch for an opinion we didn't believe in - but that doesn't mean that one opinion is superior to another. Once again, how do beliefs and arrogance factor into one another, anyways? To me, there is no god - there is only man, and we are all equal.

5. Science is our religion.

We don't have a religion. Period. We may believe in science, but we question it, and it's always changing. We do not follow it blindly and assume that everything discovered is correct. If we were to think that way, we would never get anywhere.

6. We are broken.

I am, but for every reason under the sun other than the fact that I'm living my life without Jesus. You do not have to fix us; we are fine. Our beliefs are not problems we need you to help us solve, so please don't try.

7. We are atheists out of rebellion.

People grow out of their rebellious phases. My parents never dragged me to church or temple. My mom is Christian, and my dad is Jewish, so there was religion in our house. I grew up to be atheist anyways. I've never really been mad at them; this is not an out-of-spite revenge plot against them - I believe in atheism because it's the way I view things, not because my parents think differently.

8. Shoving religion down our throats will change our minds.

Please see #6. Once again, you do not have to fix us, so please don't try. My living without your god does not affect your ability to live with your god. It does not affect your life at all. If you think I'm going to hell, fine - if it's full of gay people and atheists, how bad could it actually be? - but it has nothing to do with you. I'm content with my beliefs, and I don't need a lecture on yours. The only thing that could change my mind is concrete evidence that there is something greater than ourselves. Until then, please do not try to change me.

9. We have no morals.

I know the difference between right and wrong. I know how you're supposed to treat other human beings and animals, how you're supposed to behave in someone else's home, or in a relationship. God did not teach me this, I have common sense. I am a good person because it's the right thing to do, because I don't like how the opposite feels - not because I'm afraid of eternal damnation. My morals are important to me; I don't want to know who I am without them.

10. We are satanists.

We don't believe in him, either.