Atheists have long been at odds with religious groups in the name of civil liberty, equality and the separation of church and state.

As the Christmas season fast approaches, it’s all too easy to have trouble distinguishing atheism from anti-religious bigotry.

This is an understandable confusion, as it seems the two intersect all too often.

Christmas time seems to bring out the best and the worst of people. The famed “War on Christmas” seems to gain prominence every year, as the season of giving looms ever closer.

I have yet to understand how such a period meant for gratitude and selflessness breeds such disdain amongst atheists, but perhaps it stems from a lack of understanding.

Atheism at its core is neither inappropriate nor offensive. It’s merely a different way of thought. I don’t have issues with the belief, though I disagree. The United States is built on all manners of beliefs and is the better for it.

But atheism doesn’t seem to be a belief at all. It’s almost taken the role of an anti-belief, with an aim to demolish beliefs held by others, no matter what the cost.

This disdain was shown about a year ago, as the state of Washington found itself amidst a particularly interesting controversy.

The controversy was sparked by a nativity scene in the state capitol, to which a national atheist group objected. Thus, the capitol relented, allowing atheists to post a sign to mark the winter solstice.

The group went further, though, and the sign referred to religion as nothing more than a myth that enslaves minds and hardens hearts.

I had forgotten Mother Teresa was known for her hardened heart.

But that’s just it. Too many atheist groups aren’t about atheism at all. Atheism, it seems, is about fighting against religion rather than about promoting atheism.

Almost as though to emphasize this point, the American Atheists Web site boasts its role in history’s first picket of the pope in history. Pope John Paul II was a figure respected across the globe by both Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

Contemporary atheists are more likely to remind me of religious zealots of centuries before than freedom fighters now.

From Bill Maher’s “Religulous” to the ad campaign in Washington D.C. questioning readers, “Why believe in a God? Just be good for goodness sake,” it’s evident that not only is Christmas under attack, but religion itself is.

In a growingly secular society, I fear for what that means for our moral future and our society.