Exactly what atheists believe is fairly straightforward. Since I was once an atheist, I can tell you exactly what atheists believe in.
Firstly, atheists believe in the Newtonian concept of space and time. They believe there is a thing called space which contains material objects. Objects close by seem large, and objects farther away are visibly smaller in size, an optical effect caused by distance.
The atheist also believes in the passage of time, and the concept of past, present and future. The atheist believes he/she occupies a narrow slice of time called the present moment in which sensory input from the material world can be experienced. While sensory input cannot be experiened in the past, the atheist believes that memories of these sensory experiences can be retrieved and shared with others. The atheist believes that there is such a thing as memory, as this is used routinely by the atheist to recall events and facts.
The Atheist believes he/she is Alive. The atheist believes the he/she is presently alive, was once born, undergoes biologic growth, aging and will eventually end in a state of death.
The atheist believes that sensory input of the material world is valid knowledge. For example, if an the atheist touches a warm cup of tea. the knowledge that the water is hot is "valid knowledge".
The problem of other people for the atheist is the problem of other peoples sensory experiences. The atheist is unsure of the exact nature of other people, since sensory experences that the atheist experiences may or may not be the same for other people. The atheist has no knowledge of other people sensory experiences, and cannot make any comments other than to wonder if they have them or not.
Atheists have many more beliefs. What are they?
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Rather, it's only one of your problems. Your overweening arrogance would seem to be one you might choose to address first.
You then appear to be confusing atheism with solipsism.
Happy to debate this, btw. You might cite some authority beyond, "I used to be an atheist." (I would not, for what it's worth, call myself an atheist. But you seem to be making bogus claims here.)
You did not cite how we behave practically. We certainly must behave as if we live in a Newtonian universe. You claimed to know what atheists "believe." I am saying that the majority of atheists do not believe that the universe is governed by Newtonian physics.
And if for some atheists, atheism is not like solipsism, then you do a disservice to atheists when you make the blanket claims you make in your post.
As for authority, I'd accept any reasonable citation from an authority on the tenets of atheism. Richard Dawkins would certainly qualify. Of course, I'd love to know how the Pope defines atheism if you can find that, too. Madonna, not so much.
I would think that more to the point is:
" do you belive in your own existence as an individual quantum of "Free -Will" (Being?)(a Self) and if not why should anyone bother with "Your" opinion?"
If you are a Skinner believer, by all means, enlighten us.
An Atheist loves his fellow man instead of god. An Atheist believes that heaven is something for which we should work now – here on earth for all men together to enjoy.
An Atheist believes that he can get no help through prayer but that he must find in himself the inner conviction, and strength to meet life, to grapple with it, to subdue it and enjoy it.
An Atheist believes that only in a knowledge of himself and a knowledge of his fellow man can he find the understanding that will help to a life of fulfillment.
He seeks to know himself and his fellow man rather than to know a god. An Atheist believes that a hospital should be built instead of a church. An Atheist believes that a deed must be done instead of a prayer said. An Atheist strives for involvement in life and not escape into death. He wants disease conquered, poverty vanquished, war eliminated. He wants man to understand and love man.
He wants an ethical way of life. He believes that we cannot rely on a god or channel action into prayer nor hope for an end of troubles in a hereafter.
He believes that we are our brother's keepers; and are keepers of our own lives; that we are responsible persons and the job is here and the time is now.”
**While many Atheists have an intense interest in religions, enjoy debating theists, and can intelligently discuss the various holy books, Atheism can be discussed and celebrated for its own sake.
This is what I believe is a much better definition. Feel free to use it as you wish. I look forward to a day with no supersticion and fear.
This is more a simple description of "naturalism" or "materialism". Atheism itself is not a belief system. The only thing we definitely share, is the absence of belief in a god. That is the only definition of "atheist" which is definitely true. Apart from that, we are as different as atrollists, asantaclausists and avoodooists.
Atheism like just about everything else with regard to belief systems is pretty much determined by the believer. I'm not aware of any system of belief whose number of adherents are 100 percent inline with the system's total writings/teachings. We all have a tendency to put a little bit of our own 'spin' on them :). And I too think that the only real point shared by all Atheists is lack of belief in something recognized as 'God'.
Beyond that I'm not entirely sure of just where this post meant to go..
And Heathen Atheist? You sound rather closer to 'heathen' than 'atheist' ;).
Absence of proof is not proof of absence.
Physicists say they can't even prove this universe to exist, apart from our observation of it.