I think that what is or is not written down in official papers means less than how people actually practice something.
I'm just playing the devil's advocate in that men have been deified historically, and it's not like it all gets neatly catalogued and filed like a patent office.
Even if they are Officially Atheist in North Korea, they sure are nutty about the dear Leaderbean. And by nutty I mean forced to worship them at gunpoint.
I can see the argument for the North Korean leadership paralleling old dynasties and monarchies which ruled by divine right. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck. I mean, Sung was made the Eternal President ffs.
http://www.davidrhawk.com/ThankYouFatherKimIlSung.pdf
It would seem that it is a common theme amongst the interviews of escaped North Koreans that Kim Il-Sung is worshipped as god and that Juche is the religion.
Not officially, just perceived to be by the countries own people.
Besides, having a government dictate that there is officially no religion is purely as bad as having a government enforce a specific religion.
Getting back to the problem that someone brought up of why "athiests" tend to shit on religion every chance they get, part of it would certainly be along the lines of "In God We Trust" (or "D.G. Regina" for us Canucks) written all over the official currency of the country, or having politicians saying that God told them to wage war on Terrorism.
I am A-OK with people having religion. I become uncomfortable when some of the most powerful men in the world make major political decisions based on faith, or have to claim they have a religion that they may not actually have just to get elected. Not that that is a fault of the man, but of the electorate that would choose their representatives based largely on one characteristic which I think should have no place in public office. It irks me. It is irksome.
Major tangent, but just trying to address that point a bit. My girlfriend's family is devoutly religious, though she is not. I have to watch what I say or what I watch on TV at her parents place because of it. She hissed at me to change the channel from Jon Stewart because her mother was in the room and he was doing a bit on Christianity. Even away from there I can't get into any decent religious debate with her because she takes offence for them.
I honestly find that in much of every day life I need to tip toe around the fact that I have no religious beliefs. Many people just assume you do; "Oh what church do you go to?" I have been told I am going to hell, and I have been told I would be prayed for. I don't like that, but being a polite Canadian I don't make a fuss about it in person.
I am assuming that there are many others like me, especially in more devoutly religious areas of the world. When the anonymity of the internet offers the chance to speak up about it, ask questions regarding the need for religion (as this thread was. It didn't seem to be bashing it, strictly speaking.) or just generally get it out there that you don't believe, it can be cathartic.
Honestly I don't think I've been accosted by any atheists on corners telling me that there is no life after death, but I've certainly been screamed at by raving homeless loonies about the coming apocalypse and that God is judging me etc. It can make a walk downtown Toronto unexpectedly jarring when the random person beside you waiting to cross the lights literally spits in your ear with religious fervour.
It can get all pent up, so on there internet it's nice to be able to say, hey man, I don't believe in that jazz.
I'm just really thankful that it never comes up on the mats.