Just to add, if one is pious and moral because they are told to be or because "God wills it" then they aren't pious or moral at all, they're simply following commands. Conversely, from an Atheist point of view, if one is pious and moral because they want to be, then it is only they who truly define piety and morality.

Outwardly, it may seem that a lack of religious beliefs means a lack of morals or even respect for life, in reality this couldn't be further from the truth: it's quite the opposite in fact. If I respect life because an ancient set of scriptures demands it, then who's the one respecting life, me or the sciptures? If I respect life because I've rationalised it in my head, then it is I who respects life and not the mythology which demands it.

Of course we'll disagree on this, but it's just some food for thought.

Cheers.