A new study shows how poorly we understand the beliefs of people who identify as atheist, agnostic, or nothing in particular.
I decided I did not "believe" in religion when I was "encouraged" by my parents to enroll in the requisite classes to join the church when I was 14 (they were Methodists). I went through with it and became a member because, well I was 14 years old.
As soon as I was old enough to call my own shots I said goodbye to the church. I called myself an agnostic for the longest time. Finally I realized this was a cop-out. You either are a "believer" or you are not. There can be no contradictions.
For the study to attribute belief to an atheist is a contradiction in terms.