I'm not an atheist

[Gurdari]

This is the one thing most atheists miss, as well as many christians. The meaning of the word god is something which has the power of life and death over you, well, the original meaning. It is not a name but a title. Many ancient cultures used the same title for their rulers and leaders, because they did. Thus is also why the natural progression from animals to solar bodies, then eventually to larger than life myths. We gained the poser over these so the gods that were once all powerful to us became servants, food, or even nothing but big balls of fire and gas. So as a species we had to invent some bigger ones, ones that we hoped would never be discovered so we could keep looking.

Well, it comes down to the same application of logic in either case - be it a animal, object, idol, or other 'God' - if there exist no reasons to believe in something - you don't. Just like a scientist. Most atheists (who as I mentioned are not technically atheist) follow that route, the route of evidence gathering, onus, and burden of proof, etc.

So, it does not begin and end with 'God' it extends to theories about heat, light, time, personalities, sports, you name it - if there is reason to believe great - if not, then you don't believe until your mind finds analytical substance.