Becoming An Atheist May Be A Long And Painful Process?

For me it wasn't that painful of a process. I have always been skeptical of it (even when I was very young), and I eventually just fully gave in to my skepticism and became an atheist. One of the main reasons I believed was due to my belief that an authority figure must be right (parents, priests, teachers, etc.). If becoming an atheist does cause pain, it is due to basing an entire world-view on illogical beliefs, and then becoming aware of it—which can be scary and confusing (remove the foundation of anything, and it causes problems).  

atheist talks about Christianity in the African American Community (Atheist Experience)

If atheism is not as strong in the African American community it is due to socio-economic issues and different cultural factors. However, I don't believe that atheism, as far as a % is much lower (if at all) than any other group. I would bet it's around 10-20%  (closeted + uncloseted atheists). 

Is Barack Obama A Closet Atheist? (The Atheist Experience)

It seems very possible that Obama is an atheist. Given the way he has spoken about religion, he is at the very least a deist. I suppose it doesn't matter if Obama is an atheist or not, his belief in secularism is much greater than both of the Bush's. Remember when Bush senior said that atheists should not be considered citizens (look it up)? It seems as if atheists are the most hated minority in the United States (more-so than Muslims).