“Ice-cream is exquisite - what a pity it isn’t illegal”

Atheism is on the rise. But how many of those who claim to not believe, actually follow their claims? Are most atheists nowadays just following a trend? What does it take to be a "real" atheist?

We are all going to die one day,  and most of us are terrified about nothing happening after.  But,  isn't "nothing" the absence of something? Does that mean that death doesn't exist in our mind?