Things are again getting worse for non-believers - history seems to have shown that whenever one big "empire" is starting to gain extreme levels of control, monotheistic religions emerge stronger than before. Unfortunately, as the inequalities present in the world become more apparent through the possession and access to material goods, more people end up turning to the idea of a single power. One power and one book of rules are easy to follow and obey - you don't have to ask yourself moral questions on a case by case basis - when in doubt you can just quote an appropriate page from the book of rules(be it a Bible, Koran, etc) and put your guilt completely to sleep.

I strongly believe in one power only - that of the human mind, which is capable of making an argumented and well-thought out decision, of being tolerant and flexible, of being led by the passion of ideals and convictions, and at the same time of adjusting to circumstances.

In reply to Boelf, it often seems to me that although religionists love to hate each other, they are sometimes willing to put their differencs aside and declare a temporary truce in order to gang up on atheists! I think the religious fanatics are scared by the idea of someone who not only doesn't share their belief but isn't in thrall to any dogma and makes up his/her own mind. They recognize some kinship with other flavors of religionists but atheists are alien and frightening to them.