Why is it important for someone to know you're an atheist when you're helping the less fortunate?
The same reason why groups have to let people know what religion they're part of when helping the less fortunate. And do not pretend that positive portrayals of the religion are not a major part of relief and support groups in the long run. You said:
"I'm agnostic but most of the communal work I've done has been through religious organizations. Why? I suspect they galvanize people to communicate and work together in certain ways. During the 1980s labor riots in South Korea, religious organizations were instrumental in helping workers negotiate for union rights in some of the most gruesome of of conditions. "
Your own statement acknowledges these religious groups as laudable because of their efforts. And I don't disagree with that.
I said that religion and politics are the same thing, and I stand by that, and it requires very deliberate manipulation of media perception. There's a reason that there's LITERALLY HUNDREDS of pedophile rape cases against the Vatican right now yet they still manage to project an image of benevolence. This is why I said the atheists have to play the same game if they want their image to improve. You DO know that thanks to their own lack of charismatic leaders and propaganda against them for 40 years that at this point in time atheists are less trusted than RAPISTS, right?
You seem to think I'm defending the atheists, by the way. I never said I was an atheist. I am specifically criticizing their lack of action and inability to galvanize their numbers and improve their image and show they actually can be a force for good. They refuse to play the political game, and it is costing them.