Converting to Atheism?

[downbeatplumb]

Hey guys, I just have a few quick questions regarding converting to Atheism. But first, I'll give some background on why I am here. It's the typical Atheist story, I always felt different as a child, grew up in a religious household where my parents were pretty strict. They often insulted my intelligence with stories of some "man in the sky" and I haven't grown quite fond of them as a result. I eventually became fed up with their controlling ways, so I began to explore other beliefs. I would scour the net in search for enlightenment each and ever day, and there I eventually found Atheistic gods like Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, and Richard Dawkins. I am now 18 and free from my parents grasp in a college dorm, and hence I am able to convert. So, here comes the questions (keep in mind that I'm new to this religion so please be patient with me):


1. I already acknowledge Dawkins, Hitchens, and Harris as the three main Atheistic gods, but are there any more Atheist deities that I need to quote?

2. Do I have to make Atheism my whole life identity? Should I constantly assert that I am an Atheist?

2.  I am good and ready to start religious debates with people on the internet, but just how much condescension is required in these Atheistic sermons?

3. I know reading up on other religions is expected of that of a practicing Atheist, but I'm wondering how much is sufficient? Is three Google searches okay enough to compete with a scholar on religion?

4. Must I dismissively label every one who explains something about religion to me as an "apologist"?

5. And finally, does regurgitating witty one-liners like "God is just as real as unicorns, fairies, and the flying spaghetti monster" score me any intellectual points?

That's all for the moment, thanks for your time.

You can't convert to atheism.
Either you believe in god or you don't.
If you don't you're an atheist.

It's like theism you can change which particular kind of theist you are but you cant make yourself believe, you either do or you don't.