Are the churches using atheists to gain more converts?

[Pat Mustard]

In the UK, nowadays - perhaps. But you do know, that in Ireland, for example, condoms were illegal until 1980's, right? And divorce was banned until 1996. In catholic and orthodox dominated eastern Europe no one's even talking about the possibility of legalizing gay marriage and in many cases - abortion.

I won't comment on what the actual situation is in the USA, I am on the outside looking in so my perception is skewed, the reason why I ask.

As Regards Ireland it is a secular state ......

De iure it is, de facto... if you've ever seen the angelus on the national broadcaster or witnessed the requirement to have religious patronage in all state schools, you'd see differently.

The Irish people are secular, the state institutions still defer to John Charles McQuaid in a lot of areas.