I differentiate the difference between
Atheist and
atheist. Newdow and other Atheists proselytize, atheists don't..
So an atheist wouldn't get all butt-hurt if someone wished them a Merry Christmas? An atheist wouldn't dictate that a person's attitude should be opposed to saying "God bless you"?
Every December I give a twenty dollar tip to the ladies at the check-outs in our local grocery store, and I wish them a Merry Christmas.
The atheists of which you speak are what I used to refer to as real atheists. Taverner and his ilk at DU are what I used to call pretend atheists. The pretend atheists really believe in God and their belief bothers them. They feel if they shut down all mention or reference to God it will soothe their minds.
Those are the Atheists, not the atheists. The Atheists actually have a belief system.
BTW, my devoutly Southern Baptist wife, who goes to church three times a week, and I just celebrated our 33rd wedding aniversery.