The biggest atrocities in world history have been perpetrated by atheist governments. One of the major goals of communism is the elimination of religion, and it resulted in 100 million deaths in the last century, and continues in this one. Those who see religion as a negative force are deliberately ignoring the good things about it, although no once claims perfection; but they're painting a false picure. They're also ignoring how having no sense of morality that comes from a creator can justifiy anything a person does, because otherwise right and wrong is just what ever you decide it is. Atheism and religion actually have opposing philosophies: atheists believe that humans are basically good natured, and religion teaches that human nature needs to be kept in check. Look at human history and decide for youself.