Athiest in a Christian world

OK - time to admit it to the whole (annonymous) world. I am an athiest. I don't believe there is a God, a heaven or a hell. I don't believe that Jesus was the son of any such God, although he might have been a good man. I think that the story of Creationism was a way to explain the unexplainable. I am amazed that SO MANY people really believe that the Bible is the word of some sort of God. However, there are some things I believe in.

I believe in morals. I think they are vital to a good life. I believe that every person should follow a moral code and be good people. I think people can be moral and have good morals without being religious.

I believe that once you die, you are dead - no body, no Heaven, no nothing. I believe that you leave yourself behind in the people whose lives you have touched. The only way to stay "alive" is to live in the memories of others. Therefore, I believe it is important to be a good friend and person, so you will live on in many memories.

My kids go to a Christian preschool. They come home singing Jesus songs and telling bible stories. I think it's OK on some levels, but I feel like a terrible parent sometimes. It's like letting them live a big Santa fairy-tale 365 days a year! And, since I don't agree with many of the explinations of life that they come home with, I have to watch what I say to not undermine their teachers. It's an interesting dynamic, and one I feel bound by frequently.

I hate conflict, so I can't come clean. It's like living in the closet, in so many ways. I don't want people to think I'm a terrible person. I don't want people to waste their time "praying" for my salvation (if I am wrong, there are a lot more important things to pray about). I don't want to end up in a heated debate where I can't counter arguments with facts - because, it's really just my opinion. And, most importantly, I don't want to be cut off. I want my friends and family to love me, and not give them a reason to turn away.

So, I'd like to know - do you believe in God? Why? How did you form this opinion? What is your view of Athiests?