You could say the same thing for political opinions, but the whole of society participates in that exchange.
I hear this a lot, from all sides. And I always find it amusing when taking into account the veracity and polarization of political debate that happens in public. The only reason why I think people ask for atheism/religious discussion to be put on the back burner is because it's seen as less of an "immediate concern" as compared to politics ("the next election is the biggest one in the last 100 years"), so people feel as though it's easier to ignore, even though at it's core, it's the same action, an exchange of ideas that ends up pissing a lot of people off.
I don't talk about atheism and religious stuff IRL, but then again, I don't discuss politics with people either. It's just not my style usually, and I'm prone to changing my mind and don't like a prior opinion from me to be used to categorize me permanently.
Online is different though, because you are usually with an audience that is specifically present for the exchange of ideas.
The other thing I notice is euros will often take the line that you've taken. I think most euros kneejerk reaction to hearing an atheism discussion is "yeah... religion is stupid, but what's the big deal?"
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They say this of course, from their much more secular and non-religiously influenced society. They don't live in the bible belt, where churches are THE social institution, and if you don't belong to one, you are a social pariah. It's a different world in a lot of parts of america that I think a lot of europeans tend to forget sometimes. Yeah, if everyone around me was basically non-religious I also be more likely to not give a shit either way. You don't have your schools trying to ACTUALLY TEACH creationism (or "intelligent design") in a science class, or have your graduation ceromony preceded by a group prayer in a publically funded school. I could go on.
I think your final paras are a little inaccurate. Europe, at least the romance nations, is still quite religious. It may not be the way that people that you know practice their faith but nevertheless they do practice it. The UK similarly has a reasonable number of church going people and more who 'would if they could'!
It is not that we 'forget' your bible belt, it is that we cannot really understand why otherwise intelligent people will demonstrate their faith in such a peculiar fashion. But each to his own. We call them the 'Happy Clappies' (you probably do too.)
The danger, or a possible danger for America and parts of Europe, is that when people decide against formal organised religion the extremists rush to fill the gap. So your bible belt, the Hallelujah Heathens, will grow in number, power and influence, and the Islamists in Europe will do likewise. Both groups totally unacceptable to the civilised progress of man and possibly his future downfall.
To protest will make them stronger, to sit back will help them spread.
My view is, and I do practice what I preach, that no religion has a monopoly on 'good' and so I try to show that man has this enormous capacity for being a good samaritan. It doesn't take any effort.
I was in discussion at a party a few weeks ago with someone who was what they call a 'born again christian'. I pointed out some of the people at the party. 'She used to be a prostitute', I said, 'and he spent his teen years in borstal. That guy was a lawyer and was struck off and the girl he is with was a bar girl. The guy wih the bald head used to be a teacher but was sacked for using corporal punishment.' My Born again friend simply said, 'I cannot accept that. I do not want to meet them. I think I will finish my drink and go home.'
I said, 'Your faith teaches tolerance and generosity of spirit, doesnt it? I don't have a problem with these people. Each one is a character and is entertaining in his own right.'
My friend went home. I was cool with that. We had lunch a week later and I sat back and respected his need to say his grace before eating.
Bit rambling. sometimes it is difficult to stop pounding the keyboard.
