Atheism is as much a religion as being bald is a haircut. Or about how if you don't follow football and therefore don't have a favorite football team, 'No Football team' is your favorite team. Or playing a game of musical chairs and being the only left standing, declaring your lack if chair is still a chair ...
History says otherwise.
Napoleon, China, North Korea, Russia, the list goes on and on.
The first rule in controlling mankind is to take away their religion, doesn't everyone know that?
You can live in a fantasy world that atheism is about being free from religion, but it is a fantasy.
Clearly, you think "Atheism" is a 'thing'. It's not. It's the lack of a 'thing'.
Instead of the term "atheist" try the term "unbeliever". It might help you understand people who have a different view of the world to you.