I wrote this about 9 years ago. Should the word "atheist" be thrown out?

I have a problem with the word "atheist".

When somebody asks "Do you believe in god?" it's not right to say "No, I'm an atheist." The word "atheist" gives too much respect to the word "theist". It implies theism and atheism are two equally valid opinions, but reality is not an opinion. Not being a gullible superstitious idiot is not an opinion.

If you're a normal person and someone asks you "Do you believe in god?" an appropriate response would be "No, I don't have that disease." or "No, I'm not a superstitious idiot."

There is no special word for people who don't believe in the Easter Bunny. A magical god fairy is equally childish and it has even less evidence than magical rabbits who hide colored hard-boiled eggs from children. So does not believing in god bullshit require a special word like "atheist"? I don't think so.

If you are asked "Do you believe in the Easter Bunny?" you are being insulted so you might say "Of course not, what kind of idiot would believe that?" The question "Do you believe in god" is equally insulting. It's equivalent to asking "Are you mentally disturbed?" So instead of saying "I'm an atheist" it would be better to say "Of course not, what kind of idiot would believe that?"