TIRUCHI: The eighth World Atheist Conference was kickstarted at Tiruchi on Friday with a call to counter the negative image of atheism.Inaugurating the three-day conference held in Tamil Nadu for the first time, Levi Fragell , former president of International Humanist and Ethics Union urged participants from across India and other countries to present themselves as empathetic persons to those who believe in religion.Cautioning that it was dangerous to change the mind of religious fundamentalists, he hinted that they could convince the `more enlightened public' that atheists are not a danger to society.Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in his message said that atheism was the path to egalitarianism among masses and appealed for the principles of E V R Periyar to be taken across the world. K Veeramani, president of Dravidar Kazhagam lauded the role of E V Ramasami Periyar in spreading rational ideals. Peeca Elo of Free Thinkers Association , Finland, released a souvenir.