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Thank you for the comments. Yes, the passivity and respect you mention are part of the special treatment traditionally handed out to faith - while the lack of those traits is perhaps the signature characteristic of the "New Atheists" one hears about.

(Then again, it's not at all as new as people think; one of my moderate surprises upon learning about "atheist culture" is the legacy of atheists from many generations past who weren't afraid to speak openly about religion. The vocal atheists today are carrying on a fine tradition.)