phd Isaac Newton

Atheism Discussion - I need two - 200 words each

For this post, please read "I'm An Atheist" by Alan Boyle about Stephen Hawking's recent "announcement."  Next, watch the video embedded below.

Our discussion question is simple.  After reading, researching, and writing about various religious movements over this term, is Atheism a religion? Based on what we've read about other religions (whether in practice, faith, belief, actions, etc.), how comparable is Atheism to the established traditions?  Many of you indicated that Confucianism was more of a philosophy than religion.  How is Atheism similar?  How is it different?