Good for Nothing
While not an atheist myself I have many friends and relatives that are atheist. The one thing I have found time and again, if someone tells you they are an atheist, they are very honest and trustworthy. That's because an atheist gains nothing by telling the world I'm an atheist. The word atheist carries so many negative connotations and is so instantly shocking that it takes someone very honest, and very brave, to admit in public that they are an atheist. A few more timid atheists will fall back on agnostic or deist but to claim a non- belief in God is a big step in honestly for most people.
A less ethical atheist will simply not tell you they are a atheist. Indeed there are unethical immoral atheist as well as unethical immoral Catholics and Mormons. Pretending to be what you are not, for instance Utah has a large number of fraud cases as Mormons tend to be very trustworthy of other Mormons, is a sure way to use a label (good Mormon) to get other to trust you. You make assumptions based on a stereotype you have of a certain label. However, the atheist label is such that nothing is gained by being open to the world since the stereotype is so negative. But a little thought will reassure anyone, if someone is going to be open about being an atheist they consider honesty an important quality.
What I like to look for in people in ethics, honesty and their own personal morality. Some people wonder why an atheist would have a sense of morality or decency? Doesn't their lack of belief mean they fear no God that can reward the good and punish the bad? Many believe that the only reason atheists aren't out raping, murdering and stealing is fear of the law. They don't understand that fear, whether of God or the law, is a very poor way to keep people behaving in an ethical manner.
Science likes to point out that our early ancestors survival was helped by their ability to live together in a group. This required people being cooperative and looking toward the common good rather than just looking out for themselves. This holds true today. By looking out for your neighbors, by not stealing, by giving of your time and money, by just doing the right thing, you make your community and your world a better place for everyone. Life isn't just lived alone, it's lived with sharing the planet with a lot of people. If they are happy and safe, you will be happy and safe. Plus, it just feels good. For the religious person like myself, that good feeling is because it's what we are supposed to do. For the atheist it could be a genetic plus, helping others feels good because our ancestors that could live successfully in groups survived. Our ancestors were good people that cared about others. We developed language skills that helped us survive, so we could communicate with each other. Being connected and caring is in our best interest, then and now.
Atheists aren't really good for nothing. They are good for many of the same reasons a believer is good. It good for everyone, and it just plain old feels good.
