The difference is that, as an atheist, I don't see America as an atheist state, simply a secular one. Atheists don't want to replace anyone's faith, they only want to keep people's religion out of the science classrooms and out of the government. From my point of view there is more barbarity practiced in the name of religion than in the name of science. They hide it well, having had a long, long time to practice their deceptions, but the barbarity is there. But regardless of which "type" of state is created, it will still be run by people, and people can be both saints and sinners.