Greenleaves, my daughter and her husband are atheists.
I don't even attempt to talk to her about spiritual matters, as I understand and respect her stance. I also waffle in my own beliefs, though I would never say I'm an atheist, since I do believe in a higher power.
I am friends with people who are atheists. I have more trouble being friends with people who are strict in their belief system, ruling out other philosophies.
Patty