um.. atheists believe there's no such thing as god. not believing in any particular religion, especially any of the existing ones in the game is something totally different from atheism. there's no such thing as atheism in the game. being atheist is against sma.
irl, religion meant something and nothing. religion matters because your inheritance depends on it. if the church doesn't sanction your marriage your children will be bastards. your title might depend on the church sanctioning it or your war might require the church's blessing, etc. it means nothing because people bribe and scheme their way to become pope. they become bishops and what not because that position is paid for and in a way is not all that different from being any other lord. 1st son inherit the father's title, other sons might get stuffed into a church role or service elsewhere, so they can advance. they might not care much about the details of the religion or just pay lip service to it.. but they'll all go to church and attend mass, seek confession
food pushing is made all the more easier nowadays with the new auto caravans, no?
