Atomic whirl
The atomic whirl is the logo of the American Atheists, but hasn't come to be used as a symbol of atheism in general due to the electron orbital graphs.
The Atomic Whirl is based on the well known Rutherford Atom, showing the orbital paths of electrons around the central nucleus. It is similar to the logos and symbols of the United States Atomic Energy Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency who also based their designs on the Rutherford Model. The symbol is used by the American Atheists organization to symbolize that "only through the use of scientific analysis and free, open inquiry can humankind reach out for a better life.".[1]
The lower part of the central loop is left open or "broken" to represent the fact that atheists accept that while they rely on the scientific method, they are in essence, searching for the answers, and in some cases, further questions. This central loop forms an "A" which represents the atheists. The symbol contains an upper case "A" that denotes the country that the organization represents, in this case, America.
American Atheists has a copyright on the symbol.
Controversy
The "Atomic whirl" logo is based on the generic atomic planetary model and not consistent with both data and quantum theory atomic orbitals (3D diagrams). Thus not all American atheists accept the "Atomic whril". Dissidents claim that atheists accept evolution, thus their symbols are not blessed eternally and are amenable to change. Few "Atomic whirl" supporters claim that "This is just a symbol," and dissidents claim, "This is just a God, it's not an excuse to be religious, so we shouldn't mimic attitudes we don't accept, and symbols do matter".
Approved emblem of belief (US)
This symbol is one of the permitted "Emblems of Belief" that the United States Department of Veterans Affairs allows on Government-furnished headstones and markers.[2]