What is the difference?

While obviously there is a fundamental between Abrahamic monotheists and atheists (one believes in a deity, the other doesn't), I have begun to wonder whether there is a much more fundamental situation. Modern day atheists (excluding nasty bastards like Stalin) seem overwhelmingly in favour of civil liberties, individual freedoms, etc. They're not necessarily left or right wing, but they do believe in personal freedom. Overwhelmingly, honest believers (not those who aren't familiar with their texts OR lie about them) admit that god offers a tyranny. They might believe it's a beneficient tyranny, but it's a dictatorship nevertheless.

I've also met a lot of atheists who say, even if god existed, they would be of Satan's party - taking a stand against god. As I don't believe there is ANY convincing evidence that god exists, and a BUCKET load that there isn't a god, I have a sneaking suspicion that believers actually know this to be true as well. Nevertheless, they maintain faith. So, is the only REAL difference between believers and non-believers that non-believers aren't willing to bow and scrape the knee? Do believers get satisfaction from being told what to do by some incredibly powerful jerk? Is it sadomasochism? Probably. C.S Lewis seems to be a prime example of this - God is SOOO good he needs to hurt us so that we know right from wrong. Not suprising from a man who signed letters "Whip-lover".