Because people's beliefs inform their actions. Beliefs don't live in a vacuum. Many religious beliefs lead to real world negative consequences.
Many atheists that have never been theists still live in societies that may be largely theist. If the theists in that society try to get pseudoscience taught in public school science classes, prevent stem cell research, try to get "Scriptural Morality" based laws passed, etc never-theists are effected along with those that were once theists.
Having a place to come and discuss these issues is important. Especially if they live in areas where it may be dangerous to have your atheism be known.
Many atheists that have never been theists still live in societies that may be largely theist. If the theists in that society try to get pseudoscience taught in public school science classes, prevent stem cell research, try to get "Scriptural Morality" based laws passed, etc never-theists are effected along with those that were once theists.
Having a place to come and discuss these issues is important. Especially if they live in areas where it may be dangerous to have your atheism be known.
You'd believe if you just opened your heart" is a terrible argument for religion. It's basically saying, "If you bias yourself enough, you can convince yourself that this is true." If religion were true, people wouldn't need faith to believe it -- it would be supported by good evidence.
