Living in rural America, where Atheism is still technically illegal in some places even though no one would dare enforce it, I think distinguishing the labels "rational thinkers" from "atheists" is a very good idea. I don't think someone who considers themselves rational and theist would be particularly proud to associate with the label that best fits their particular brand of theism (Roman Catholicism and Mormonism seem to spawn subverters of this expectation, but reducing to the common category of "christian" seems to invoke way more cultural baggage).

Or rather, I wouldn't dare call myself a christian or an atheist anywhere anyone could possibly find out about. Smart people would dismiss me as inferior for the former, 90% of people within a 200mi radius would start hurling crosses at me for the latter. Probably will need allies in both groups, so I'm kinda concerned about this whole labels thing.