interesting. don't get your reference to the book and authors,but no matter. pro religion atheist? interesting might be a valid take. being an atheist with a very mixed opinion of religion,i put in my top 5 worst things humans have ever invented. other 4-government,direct genetic manipulation,WMDs in general,machines that mimic the human brain,AKA computers.
hate to admit it but i realize that some form of social control is needed,humans being the way they are. religion can and has,at times,been a positive force in society. it's historical record is poor at best. ie the Muslim conquest,the crusades,partition of India,European wars of religion in mid ages,extermination of most pre Columbian civs by Spanish,extermination of Scandinavian pagans by Rome,Gaza today there are others. yes,religion is often used as an excuse for a lot of bad things and minor things. stuff is often carried out by true believers or manipulated by various elites. religion should be a positive force in society but neutral as far as a tool to use as an abuse of power.
i will admit that the argument often made here that our inalienable rights come from God,not society,is a strong one. hard to come up with a more reasonable origin of said rights,which should be self evident.