Why are atheists so obsessed with religion?

[Cyberman]

I myself have tired of tilting at windmills.

I know exactly what you mean. This is how obsessed I am with religion: Earlier today (well, more accurately yesterday) I was taken to visit some friends of a friend. They were already aware of the history of my personal circumstances and sympathised with my loss, at which point one of them offered the well-meant but clichéd platitudes that we'd be reunited in the afterlife etc. He said he's not a devout believer or anything like that, but had been brought up to believe that there's some fluffy 'happy ever hereafter' (his point but my words). This is exactly the sort of reaction I've avoided attracting until now. It's quite simply annoying and unwanted.

Anyway, I just kept silent and noncommittal, until my very dear friend told them that I have my own beliefs on this matter and that I'm an atheist (cheers, Shelly ). The reason I say that is because this attracted a recitation of personal testimony, something to do with this guy spending some time homeless and hungry and then chancing upon a church holding some sort of feast/celebration thing, thus enabling him to be fed - it was all pretty vague. Anyway, did I think it was just coincidence or random chance. I waited patiently for the punchline, then said there's no way I can comment on personal experiences even if I wanted to - which I didn't. Fortunately the conversation meandered in other directions after that.