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And as much as I hate to admit it I also agree in part with Vince. An atheist by any other name is still an atheist. Deal with it. Giving it a pretty name won't change what it is. If you are honestly happy with youself and your beliefs then you should be able to accept them for what they are. Make no appologies. And don't try to make what you believe easier to swallow for anyone else. They are YOUR beliefs. If you truly, honestly, deeply believe them then you would not need to hide it or disguise it. And (un-like most Catholics) you would not get angry when someone questions them. Getting defensive when someone questions you about your "faith" only shows that you doubt your own convicions. If you are completely secure in your faith (or lack thereof) then even when questioned.....even when badgered, you would only feel the peace and happiness that comes with clear and honeest conviction.
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I think you're rather missing the point. Bright, as its ultimate aim, isn't meant to make atheism nicer and more palatable for others; nor for that matter is it fudging over the obvious fact that a bright does not believe in god. It also isn't only a matter of personal faith. Religion obviously plays a huge role in American politics, civil institutions, culture, etc. and you are skirting the social dimension of religion in your rant. Being questioned on one's lack of faith is one thing; having a society that regards you as immoral is another entirely.
The 'bright' idea, what it intends to do, is increase the social awareness of the political presence of nonreligious people in the USA and elsewhere. In short, to turn it into a movement. It achieves that goal by creating a name by which nonreligious people, skeptics, etc. can identify themselves by. An identity carries with it political weight and the power to create social change. Whereas the religious right and the Catholic church have a very real political presence in the USA, there really hasn't been a strong, organized movement representing nonreligious beliefs here (they have sometimes been attached to other things, like Marxist parties). Actually, to take an idea from Marx, you can think of it as a group of people developing 'class' consciousness.