Here's a clip from a worthwhile article to read that addresses the popularity of referring to atheist who speak up as fundamentalists. Maybe it'll open some eyes.

Atheism is the absence of religion, right? But it gets put in with them, becaus eit is and isn't a beliefe system. Liek black is the absence of color (in light) or in paint, White is. But it still gets put in with the colors. Probably because we don't know what else to call it.

Yes and no. Strictly speaking, atheism is simply the lack of belief in god or gods. It doesn't imply any belief system. It's possible to be a Buddhist atheist. In that case you have an atheist who happens to be a buddhist but one has nothing to do with the other. A person that doesn't believe in Santa Claus isn't called an Aclaus. And this certainly wouldn't be a religion. Hope that helps!