I have been an atheist since childhood. I do not have the same negative lived experiences of some of the other people on this site. I think that there are a lot of people here with very negative views of the church based on their experiences. I don't share those experiences and I avoid conversation that include bashing who people who believe.
I am annoyed when a religious person tries to convert me. That is why I have a "No Religious Solicitation" sign on my front door. But I have also worked side-by-side with nuns who were very lovely people. They never asked me if I attended church or tried to proselytize me. In fact they embraced me, encouraged me and supported me unconditionally.
I am a strong proponent of separation of church and state, particularly when it comes to public education and government. But I believe in anyone's right to choose to worship or not. That is why when I was raising a child I exposed her to several denominations and let her make up her own mind. And she did. She is an atheist.
I call myself an atheist, not an agnostic, because I am without religion. I do not worship. I have no doubts. But I do not hate individuals that believe. Although, I have to say, I do sort of miss the social interactions that attending church might have provided me.
I have studied history. I have looked at it from the point of view of governments, war, art, and religion. I came to my atheism through reason. I harbor no hatred toward religion. I do however hate the the abuse and scams that some religious leaders indulge in.