Andrex, let me direct you to this news article that will explain The South to you:
Speaking at the Pastor for Life Luncheon, which was sponsored by Pro-Life Mississippi, Chief Justice Roy Moore of the Alabama Supreme Court declared that the First Amendment only applies to Christians because “Buddha didn’t create us, Mohammed didn’t create us, it was the God of the Holy Scriptures” who created us.
“They didn’t bring the Koran over on the pilgrim ship,” he remarked January 17 at the event in Jackson, Mississippi. “Let’s get real, let’s go back and learn our history. Let’s stop playing games.”
Mississippi is like, deep south though isn't it?
I don't expect NC to be a bastion of liberalism but if you're being discriminated against for just not believing in god then you can probably set up some kind of lawsuit.
However what's missing in all of this is whether Atra keeps it to himself or is the type to correct people who say "God bless you" when you sneeze.

Doesn't matter, hon. In the South if you're in "at-will" states, they can give NO reason to fire your ass. And if your boss hates your political views or your non-religious take on things, they are free to fire you. Now, in the case of ass-covering to prevent a lawsuit, you know they won't outright state that's the reason they're firing you. But you simply
know it's a factor.
When you've been in this part of the country for a few years and you've been in offices/employment areas with these views/people, you'll understand Andy.