"I'm an atheist but ... "

If you find something you want to fit into your thoughts - go for it. If you interpret whatever ideas as positive, then they will be - for you.

Why would you want them to?
Religious parlance and vocabulary carry so much negative connotation, indicate so much prejudice, ideology and narrowness of thought that I am frankly surprised that anyone who has broken the literal "ligature" of religion (the root of the word) would wish to retain any of those shackles.

Absolutely! Not all religions are based on hate, fear ignorance and power like most major ones are. There are religions that don't make virtues of ignorance and hate.

The Gnostics value knowledge and education, as do the rosicrucians, both suppressed relatives of christianity.

In general religions that preach you live one life then to to eternal heaven and hell are bad, as thye stress control over people's lives and submission to dictates of a selfish, arrogant and cruel god.

Religions that believe in reincarnation and the eventual elevation of people thru living multiple lives until they achieve a higher state tend to be more positive.

These are my opinions in response to your question and i'm not in the mood to have people throwing snark or condescension at me for them, be advised. I don't submit to the hindu faith for several reasons, but it's not the only one to advocate multiple lives as a means of achieving a higher state.

Personally i think there's too much in the world we know to learn it all or experience it all in one life that all too often is nasty, brutal and short. I believe if there is more than mortal existence i'm pretty cure it would involve reincarnation.

I'm still agnostic tho. I don't know this is true, I just believe it makes more sense that the judeao christian muslim models.

We progress with society, the primitive forms of organization were the best we could at that era, the problem is to keep this organizations after they are not useful anymore.

Yes, religion was good to take us from tribes to nations, and in some parts of the world it is still useful.

Look at the art that was possible only with the religion (and peasant blood of course), the religions for a long time were the only institution that could finance arts, engineering and even the kickstart of science (and burn the scientists when it went out of control).

So yes, religions have a place in history and they pushed humanity forward.
But with the nation concept so deep rooted that we don't even call it an ideology anymore (we just look at it when it goes to extreme directions), civics, law, and other nice modern thingies, we don't really need it anymore, and it is fighting to stay alive, wasting resources.

It still has a powerful capacity to create community, make people feel that they belong.
Until we are able to do the same out of religion (sports teams can do it for example), religion will still be alive

Sort of, its the other side of the coin that proves yourself right for not believing to any gods because no one can really justify it by selective testimony of miracles and a lot of metaphorically explanations that ends to some mythical stories.

I know some atheists who love the lyrical quality of Cranmer's Book of Common Prayer, especially when sung by a choir. They ignore the teaching of the liturgy and go for the ambiance it creates.
Some like some of the ethical mores laid down in holy texts and amend them for their purpose. Others read books like Proverbs or Ecclesiastes for wisdom but without subscribing to theism.

Words can mean as much or as little as the person speaking them want them to, its the ideas behind them that determines if they have value.

"God(s), Religion, Church, or any of these words related to theists", has nothing to offer humanity or societies that Secular Humanism or any other Secular Philosophies don't have and is much more advantageous to all and to the planet as well.

No positive place in my world!

In a word, no. Why use the language of theists when you're atheist? It makes no sense .

For me, I don't think so. I am not a believer and don't want anyone to be confused as to where I sta

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They do the job of denoting that which they are intended to denote, so I can't see how they could not be positive. Imagine how disadvantaged you would be without these basic words in your vocabulary.

I have loads of religious friends and most of my family are religious as well. So far, I have really nothing to complain about.

I don’t see why not.

Not mine. But i am only one person. I can only speak for myself.

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The words can, but usually those whom those words actually describe will bend over backwards to ensure they don't.