Personally, I don't give a shit what others' "perceptions of atheists" amount to. It's a totally ridiculous notion to begin with. If you're a religious dogmatist, you likely see the world through a prism that finds the ideals I'd advocate repugnant anyway... And besides, the most obnoxious nonbeliever is only mimicking the fervor that seems to be in high repute with the devout.
He who loves God cannot endeavour that God should love him in return - Baruch Spinoza