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[PatrikLundell]

I believe "atheist" is a misnomer in the current DF context (will change when sliders are introduced), as there are actual gods available (and "alternative facts" is a monstrosity far in the future of the DF timeline). However, just because there are gods it doesn't mean you have to lick their asses. You'd probably do well to take care not to knowingly invoke their wrath, but it's a fair distance from there to worship. DF dorfs (and other sapients) who don't worship any gods simply don't worship any of them, not deny the existence of gods outright (usually), and I suspect the term "atheist" is a player coined term to indicate dorfs without any gods (nor any megabeasts) in their worship list.
I suspect there were a lot of people in e.g. the Roman empire that didn't bother to visit temples to the various gods, but still engaged in the customs of performing appropriate offerings when the situations dictated it (such as an offer to Neptune prior to a sea voyage, for instance).

[Ironfang]

Non-religious dwarves.

[Lordhermitcrab]

Purge the heresy!

[Purdurabo]

It seems very strange that there would be atheists in a world such as Dwarf Fortress where there are literal Gods running around and doing stuff. I mean how can one be an atheist in a world where you can strait up go find and speak with one of the demon lords that were summoned from the underworld by the Gods. In a world where there is actual concrete evidence of Gods you can't really have atheists.

Just because the gods exist that is no good reason to go around believing in them, that just encourages the buggers like dog shit encourages flies.

[Lielac]

It seems very strange that there would be atheists in a world such as Dwarf Fortress where there are literal Gods running around and doing stuff. I mean how can one be an atheist in a world where you can strait up go find and speak with one of the demon lords that were summoned from the underworld by the Gods. In a world where there is actual concrete evidence of Gods you can't really have atheists.

Just because the gods exist that is no good reason to go around believing in them, that just encourages the buggers like dog shit encourages flies.

“I don't hold with paddlin' with the occult," said Granny firmly. "Once you start paddlin' with the occult you start believing in spirits, and when you start believing in spirits you start believing in demons, and then before you know where you are you're believing in gods. And then you're in trouble."
"But all them things exist," said Nanny Ogg.
"That's no call to go around believing in them. It only encourages 'em.”

[Snafu]

Quote from: Terry Pratchett

    “I don't hold with paddlin' with the occult," said Granny firmly. "Once you start paddlin' with the occult you start believing in spirits, and when you start believing in spirits you start believing in demons, and then before you know where you are you're believing in gods. And then you're in trouble."
    "But all them things exist," said Nanny Ogg.
    "That's no call to go around believing in them. It only encourages 'em.”

Or perhaps another slightly longer pTerry quote may be more apposite:

'Gods?' said Xeno. 'We don't bother with gods. Relics of an outmoded belief system, gods.'
There was a rumble of thunder from the clear evening sky.
'Except for Blind Io the Thunder God,' Xeno went on, his tone hardly changing.
Lightning flashed across the sky.
'And Cubal the Fire God,' said Xeno.
A gust of wind rattled the windows.
'Flatulus the God of Winds, he's alright too,' said Xeno
An arrow materialized out of the air and hit the table by Xeno's hand.
'Fedecks the Messenger of the Gods, one of the all-time greats,' said Xeno.
A bird appeared in the doorway. At least, it looked vaguely like a bird. It was about a foot high, black and white, with a bent beak and an expression that suggested whatever it was it really dreaded ever happening to it had already happened.
'What's that?' said Brutha.
'A penguin,' said the voice of Om inside his head.
'Patina, the Goddess of Wisdom? One of the best,' said Xeno.
The penguin croaked at him and waddled off into the darkness.
The philosophers looked very embarrassed. Then Ibid said, 'Foorgol the God of Avalanches? Where's the snowline?'
'Two hundred miles away,' said someone.
Nothing happened.
'Relic of an outmoded belief system,' said Xeno.
A wall of freezing white death did not appear anywhere in Ephebe.
'Mere unthinking personification of a natural force,' said one of the philosophers, in a louder voice. They all seemed to feel a lot better about this.
'Primitive nature worship.'
'Wouldn't give you tuppence for him.'
'Simple rationalisation of the unknown.'
'Hah! A clever fiction, a bogey to frighten the weak and stupid!'
The words rose up in Brutha. He couldn't stop himself.
'Is it always this cold?' he said. 'It seemed very chilly on the way here.'
The philosophers all moved away from Xeno.
'Although if there's one thing you can say about Foorgal, ' said Xeno, 'it's that he likes a joke as much as the next... man.'
He looked both ways, quickly. After a while the philosophers relaxed, and seemed to completely forget about Brutha.