Faith or non-faith: is that the question?

Recently I was involved in a conversation where the terms faith and non-faith were mentioned. For those individuals who found their sense of identity, purpose and belonging with a religious tradition, the term faith was ascribed. The term non-faith was ascribed for those who did not. Even though the term non-faith was in no way applied pejoratively, I found myself reacting strongly to it. The question of faith had become personal for me.