I'd love to have a thoughtful publication here that focusses on religion from an atheistic perspective. I don't know how much traction it would get if it were just negative, though. As you say, being openly philosophical doesn't help either, as I've discovered with the reception to my writing. It's interesting how Backyard Church took off in popularity because it's so liberal. It found a niche with the young, white, professional neoliberal audience.

Atheism still seems like a taboo topic because of the Cold War propaganda, even though most Americans and Europeans are functional atheists. Very few folks live as if there were a personal Creator watching them all the time.

A more interesting atheistic publication might focus on the positives of secular culture and philosophical naturalism (as in what atheists believe or assume, rather than just what they reject). That's the focus of much of my writing, for better or worse.

Maybe you should team up with your friend and start a publication here based on a respectful, thoughtful dialogue between Christians and atheists. I'd line up to participate in that kind of thing. And the conflict angle might sell well (as if I know what I'm talking about when it comes to sales).