Why do Athiests require 'proof' that God exists?

[jason56]

There are some things we cannot prove.

For example one cannot prove ones own existence - I could argue that you are a figment of my imagination, like a person in a dream. You would be unable to prove that you were a self aware, autonomous human being.

Using atheist logic I should therefore consider all other humans to not be self aware, sentient, concious beings as they cannot 'prove' they have these qualities.

Would it not be better to accept that I can never know if other people are self aware like me? That I can never know if God exists or not?

Can't you imagine the humans who thousands of years ago looked up at "the giant ball of fire" and claimed it to be magic?

The only reason God still exists is because it strictly benefits mankind.

Maybe that is a sort of logic, I still haven't worked that out.