First, we need Whitaker version of one of these. Second, he said WHAT?!
Atheism is a religion. There's monotheism, polytheism, and atheism. Each is a belief system, and each takes a devotion of character to maintain countenance at the debate table of human purpose and progress. To say atheism isn't a belief system is to deny that system any validity in that debate.
Hence, just like all other religions, atheism has its leaders, and disciples.