The belief that "atheism is a religion/belief system" or that "atheists believe in nothing" is a common misunderstanding among religious individuals. Unlike terms such as "Christian" or "theist," which indicate a specific belief, the term "atheist" does not. Atheism simply means the lack of acceptance of any god claims presented to the individual thus far. It does not imply a belief in the non-existence of all possible concepts of "god." This distinction should be understood to avoid making generalizations about individuals who identify as atheists. Their similarities, such as a tendency towards critical thinking, may stem from a shared human experience, but not from their atheism. The broad term of atheism encompasses a diverse group of individuals, and it is inaccurate to assume that all share the same beliefs or characteristics.
Atheists don't usually bring up their lack of belief in gods, because it's not relevant to their daily lives as it is to a theist. It's only when god beliefs are presented that the term "atheist" becomes relevant. On the other hand, theistic beliefs are often so intertwined with a person's life, particularly the good things, that they risk nihilism if they were to question or lose those beliefs. This can lead to a distorted view of atheism as a lack of belief in anything good. However, this is not accurate. Atheists don't "not believe in anything," but their worldviews tend to be more rooted in a variety of sources, rather than a single belief that can be described in a single sentence.
The deeply theistic worldview can be viewed as a pyramid balanced on its tip, with the belief in a deity as the foundation upon which everything else rests. This narrow viewpoint is rigid, resistant to change, and often uncomfortable to question. Maintaining this perspective requires a constant effort of balancing, from attending church and participating in apologetics, to regular prayer.
In contrast, a scientifically-based worldview can be seen as a tree with a branching root system. In this view, understanding the world does not rest solely on a single belief, but rather on a variety of sources. This allows for more flexible and adaptable thinking, as ideas and sources can be updated and revised based on new information. This type of worldview also requires a broad understanding of various subjects to explain one's beliefs.