Why is Buddhism especially popular around atheists?

Why do you not know what an atheist is‽

ATHEIST - someone who does not believe in a God – any God – not just the Christian one. But that does not mean they do not hold strong moral or religious beliefs! They can follow any religion that does not have a god and there are a lot of those!

Like BUDDHISM – Religious teaching from Buddha and his followers that by destroying greed, hatred and delusion (the cause of all suffering) man can attain perfect enlightenment!

Without a god Buddhism is the largest of the atheist religions!

certain aspects of buddhism are not religious (the part that people call buddhism philosophy)

everybody wants to reach ultimate happiness, and buddhism is a secular method to try to achieve this goal

Also, a lot of oriental traditions deals more with the ethics and moral aspects of humankind unlike a lot of western religions which are more centered on the dogmas and mythological aspects.

obviously the latter is less interesting for atheists

Because Buddhism doesn't demand belief.

It asks only that you meditate and do the practices and that you observe, first-hand. This personal, first-hand observation is the source of all wisdom and knowledge in Buddhism. You are advised to NOT blindly believe, in fact.

The Buddhist “learns to watch changes occurring in all physical experiences, in feelings and in perceptions. He learns to study his own mental activities and the fluctuations in the character of consciousness itself. All of these changes are occurring perpetually and are present in every moment of our experiences. Meditation is a living activity, an inherently experiential activity. It cannot be taught as a purely scholastic subject.” (“Mindfulness in Plain English” by Venerable H. Gunaratana Mahayhera, a Theravadan Buddhist teacher)

Because they think Buddhism is atheistic.

In actual fact, it has numerous deities(just not a Supreme Creator).

Buddhism is a way of life its ok to be skeptical in buddhism plus buddhist don't try to shove there faith down your throat like christianity and islam.

I don't think it is. Atheists don't believe in spirit, at least, that's my understanding of it (I could be wrong). Are you making the assumption that everyone who is not theist is atheist or do I misunderstand the question? Buddhism is the science of spirit.

For starters because God is not central to their beliefs. You can be an atheist and still be a Buddhist.

Second, although there are exceptions, by and large Buddhists tend to much more peaceful and tolerant than those who subscribe to the Abrahamic religions. Personally, I also admire their reverence for nature and life.

An atheist can be a Buddhist.

It preaches peace and acceptance of all people.

Just like taoism.

Atheists tend to have a loving, totally fair, non-discriminatory mindset.

Therefore, the majority of us fiercely oppose Christian/ Islamic views due to their sketchy pasts and their discriminatory and violent modern ways.

Well it doesn't center on a supreme deity, it has no dogma, and there isn't anything making anyone believe a certain thing.