A question for both atheists and those with faith?

If the actions of people with particular beliefs--be they ethical, religious, political, or whatever--influence the events of the world in which I live, I am entitled to have an opinion on those beliefs. I'm not insecure about my beliefs (or lack of belief, as the case may be) and I rarely try to prove people of faith wrong about the justification for their belief. I just think that it's necessary to know what others believe, to make an effort to understand how those beliefs will influence their actions, and to make certain that my own opinions and beliefs have a position in the public forum.