Scientists who discovered something new were ridiculed and killed, not by other scientists, but by theists. A scientist who refutes current scientific knowledge will not be ostracized if she shows solid evidence. That is the key difference between science and religion - science will admit when it had something wrong.

And get off your high horse about an "air of superiority" by atheists. That is pure projection. As you yourself said, atheists have been persecuted through the ages by religious zealots and theists, because of the arrogant narcissism of the latter. But as is typical with any group that has held power and feels it slipping, as soon as an atheist speaks out, they are attacked and told to shut up and not rock the boat. Those days are over.