Hello everyone, I am not sure if this is the correct forum for this topic, but it seems that it is the only forum I have access to post in, maybe because I did not register as an Atheist? I don't know, this isn't meant to be a debate, but more of an inquiry. I try to understand people the best I can, and religion is an interesting topic to me, so I'm just here seeking information in the form of discussion.

So, I am not and Atheist, but I'm not a religious person either. I would maybe call myself agnostic... but that word isn't really correct either. I don't really believe in a god or gods, nor do I flat out deny their existence, but at the same time I mostly just don't care if there is a god or not. I like to study religion, as I find it a fascinating subject, I also love to study cultures and sciences and food and art... and all are pretty much on the same level. If it was revealed to me for 100% certainty that there was a god, I don't think it would change my opinion at all, nor would my opinion change if it was made 100% fact that there is no god at all... it just doesn't matter to me... so I don't know what you would call that.

Now, on to the reason for my post. I am just trying to learn some things about Atheism. My biggest question is why it seems that Atheists are so angry toward people who don't believe the same as they do? I have quite a few friends that identify as Atheists, and have met people I don't count among my friends who behave the same way. Any time religion is brought up as a topic, they refer to Atheists as enlightened and more intelligent than people who are not Atheists. They tend to be very mocking and insulting to anyone who doesn't believe as they do, and get quite vocal about it.

I'm just curious as to why? Now, I'm not trying to be insulting here, and if I am, I apologize, but I have no other way to pose the question. Isn't flat out denying the possibility of any sort of power in the entirety of the universe being greater than yourself just as ignorant and close minded as flat out accepting that some sort of power does exist? I mean is there any hard visible evidence of either scenario being 100% true? We have not observed every sub-atomic particle in the entire universe, so can there even be proof?

It just seems to me that Atheism is just as much a religion as Christianity (or Islam/Judaism/Hinduism/Buddhism/etc) where it's practitioners are just as zealous and close minded as any fanatic from any religion...

Now, I will as always admit that I might be wrong, absolutely nothing is known as 100% fact (at least in my mind). I also will say that I am basing these questions only on my personal experience with a limited number of people. I understand that not every Atheist is the same (just like not every practitioner of any religion is the same). My goal here is not to be argumentative or to offend anyone (though I understand that people will be offended no matter what you do/say [people in a general sense, not specifically people on this site]), and these questions are asked honestly, without judgement or mockery, they are general curiosities.

So, I would very much appreciate any discussion on the topic, and on the general topic of Atheism at all. Cheers, and I hope your day is wonderful.