Two decades ago, Sally Read was an award-winning poet, an outspoken feminist as well as a vehemently anti-Catholic atheist. Then, unexpectedly, in 2010, she converted to Catholicism.

LEON NEAL/AFP via Getty Images Atheist churches are still fairly new, but studies have shown that participation in them and other types of atheist organizations can bring social and emotional ...

IMAGES OF ATHEISM: The Soviet Assault on Religion Museum of Russian Icons, 263 Union St., Clinton, through Oct. 2. 978-598-5000, www.museumofrussianicons.org Mark Feeney can be reached at mark ...

Many people are hesitant to identify as atheists because of the social stigma they may face, making it hard to pinpoint connections and differences among this group.