Some scientists hold quite religious beliefs. Some are even zealots. Some people who were scientologist and became atheist are quite happy with their new religion. The thing with atheism is that its often posed as some kind of anti-religion; it isn't; not necessarily. Also, there are various forms of atheism. From strong atheism to agnosticism. One could argue: atheism is a vague definition. Well, so are other religions. There are so many sub-religions in christianity...

Please somebody explain to me how beeing christian goes along with beeing not religious!?
If you mean beeing baptised but not believing, than you are not christian in my POV. Why should I call myself "duned" just because someone threw sand in my face when I was a baby if it doesn't mean anything to me!?

edit: also, "scientist" and "scientologist" have nothing in common!

When I talk with a believer, I feel an atheist. When I'm alone, I'm an agnostic. I was educated in a christian catholic school, and look at the results! :-)

I am positively surprised by the amount of atheism/no religion here. I'm an atheist myself, although one interested in religious stuff (from a historic/scientific point of view). I have read the bible, some parts of the Koran, the satanic bible, and other stuff such as excellent works from the 19th and early 20th century.

Funny, because in public (or rather in the presence of friend(s) who carry some form of religious background) I am respectfully agnostic while in private I am simply an atheist.

That said, although I have no reason to believe in supernatural forces I am kind of interested in some aspects of Buddhist philosophy (which in its original form didn't actually incorporate gods or deities).

The scientific approach to understanding the human mind, emphasis on virtues such as kindness and non-violence and the willingness to change their religious views if science proves their past beliefs to be misguided are IMO quite respectable approaches.

The original form of Taoism is also quite interesting, but unfortunately it has been reduced to being organized superstition revolving around animism and ancestor-worshipping.

Still, intolerant atheism as part of State Religion -- such as operated by the Chinese Communist system (especially in neighbouring countries under Chinese rule), or previously used by the Third reich and the Soviets -- is worse than the most intolerant of religions since State Atheism tends to forego the basic moral justice at the foundation of any theistic religion...

The 3rd Reich tried to establish a mix of Christianity and norse religion (together with Asian elements such as the swastika symbol) in order to reach the masses. I don't consider this atheism. The leaders might have been atheistic but they used religion as a tool for their cruel plan. Antisemitism was deeply rooted in (European) Christianity at that time.

I would consider "intolerant atheism" a form of religion, because it is based on an ideology which claims to hold the truth. Hence the intolerance. The claim of truth is a fundamental problem of many (all?) religions, IMHO. People tend to fight for their truth. Thus they fight for religion. This could be some form of animal survival instict and fear.

wouldn't it solve many problems if we had only one.

Actually it doesn't. Atheism IS a belief system: the belief that there is no God.

I don't think it's possible for anyone to be religion-free, given what can constitute religious belief (it's very broad).

I don't see where anyone suggested they do. I think you may have misunderstood allname's post.

However, scientists DO get religious about their beliefs/theories... again, religion can have broad connotations.

Born Christian, now atheist but I don't botter other people about it

meh, while have grown up i a nation with a core of christianity, i silently cheer on the work to make it atheist.

beyond that im under the impression that if a god exist, the entty is at best mildly aware that we exist, as some kind of "bacteria" on a dust speck insde of a much larger experiment.

btw, the poll do not show when using the minimalist theme...