I've been asked what I gain from my atheism, typically from well-meaning folk who nonetheless cannot grasp the idea of an existence removed from god, or whatever they call "him."

Honestly speaking, I gain everything and nothing; by carrying with it absolutely no baggage I gain freedom. My mistakes are my own, my triumphs are my own, and my life has *meaning* because this is the only one I have. I am free to make my own meaning and pursue my own ideas and ideals of satisfaction and support. I can judge people as they are, free from having to draw arbitrary distinctions of "us" and "them."

I'm my own person, and I have to live with my choices because I'm not going to be bailed out by some benevolent sky-daddy. Atheism is not an end point, and there's no guarantee that an atheist will be a good, moral person. But that's the beauty of it; we have to accept reality on its terms and deal with it as best we can.