There has been a really good discussion on Atheism in the Catholic Church Molestation thread that I thought may be interesting to bring here.
I come from the POV of a 40 year evangelical Christian who has, ever so slowly moving toward atheism the past few years. More correctly I would describe my religious beliefs as heavily Christianity tinged agnosticism, with atheism used as a way of interpreting the world around us. I no longer seem to interpret the story of our place in the universe as the epic struggle between good and evil presented by Christianity.
Coming to grips with my practical agnosticism has has been pretty upsetting to my world view coming from early, sincere and zealous religious belief that has carried me through life well into my mid forties. Christian College, serving on church boards for years, teaching from a pulpit, well educated in theology, and reading the bible at least yearly (I have probably read the Old testament 40 times and other large biblical portions well into the 100s over the years.) Anyway, I was the truest of true believers, but now I think I am no longer.
It was no wrong perpetrated by the church upon me either. I just am too much of a rationalist to put up with all the make believe any more, and I don't "feel" the faith in a way I previously had. Don't know if it is a change in brain chemistry or what? I have lost the "belief" hormone.
So, I am an agnostic, scientist, rationalist who still reads the bible and believes in the goodness of a creator, I guess going forward. Dunno.