I'm a fellow atheist and a recent 40 yr study on death by amsterdam and other eu nations is rather interesting. They've proven that consciouness exists after physical death if you'de like more detail I can help out. I just thought id add that little tidbit. It seems even science agrees that we have a "soul" although according to them its energy which fits in with my personal theory (which id be happy to discuss as well) of life and death.