If you take atheism only to be the position that "God does not exist" then jpappl and you would be correct in your assessments. However, many/most atheists do not hold the position "God does not exist" - merely they do not hold the position that "God exists". I.e. most will say that they believe neither that God exists nor that God does not exist, precisely for the reasons that jpappl sets out. And before you raise it, this is a very different position to agnosticism. Therefore, as far as "strong atheism" goes, jpappl is correct. But as far as all atheism goes - jpappl is not correct.
I have no philosophical issue with Atheism. There is much that is defensible there within. Certainly more than the "saviour in the sky gonna save us all." My beef has been with some/many Atheists. Specifically, those Atheists who take the position "I am an Atheist. I have no 'beliefs'. Therefore my opinion has more value than yours, and is the correct one". This smacks of the same motivation as many Christians. Probably in the same percentages, too. I know that not all Atheists hold this position. Many do, many do not. Exact %s? Dunno.
