I am, as I say "currently an atheist", pending evidence of the contrary. I do not agree with 'militant atheists'. Atheists should fight for their right to speak their mind in society, but other than that, it's more important to fight for proper education in schools. As long as people really learn about science and pseudo-science and what the difference is, and how to discern between the two on their own, I'm not going to stop them from believing in something supernatural. Most likely many would eventually stop believing because of that education, but many would not, and I don't see the conflict. It's important that fundamentalism from any camp does not adversely affect the lives of others. As an atheist, one has to acknowledge that this life is all there is, so if some people feel they have a better life believing something maybe even they themselves suspect is not real, I wouldn't stop them, unless it included beliefs that would impede on my (and others') freedom. There are some prominent, actual scientists who are still theists, like for instance Kenneth Miller. It's a choice he's made, and it's not for lack of information or education or intelligence. But he's also not a fundamentalist in any way.
So - instead of torture, we need to give people proper scientific education, and let them reach their own conclusions based on that. It's perhaps easier for the likes of me because I've grown up with creationism and know what it's about and what it's arguments and agenda and "work ethics" are, and how they do not hold up to true scientific scrutiny and thought. People should see both sides properly though and decide. Not all would fall down on the side of mainstream science, some would choose not to pretty much "out of spite" or to 'be special', or because they're afraid of "dogmatism of the majority view" (which in itself would be a misunderstanding of proper scientific thought and processes). But it is my hope at least, that when properly presented with science, people would side with that. And even if that wouldn't mean they'd become atheists, it would be enough for me personally, that they at least would know how the world works according to our most current understanding.
"What the world needs now - - is education, sweet education. That's the only thing - - that there's just too little of."
