The notion of putting ones self first (as it were) isn't specifically Buddhist surely. It's far too vague. That's almost like saying if you think murder is wrong you must be a Christian or believe in a modified form of Christianity.
However having reviewed my last post I don't think many atheists actually try to achieve this pride or whatever you would call it. You can put others before yourself and be an atheist. There is no code of conduct or specific philosophy in atheism, nothing that we need to strive towards so we don't (at least most of us) consciously think to ourselves "I'm going to be my own personal God and that's the way it should be."
Also, back to the original poll, assuming we're looking at atheism as being kind of a religion in itself, if you have a believe in not believing then it implies that you dismiss all religions as false without even looking (because if you 'believe' then you need no evidence). It also implies that we believe in somehow opposing belief, defying it, throwing it away. This is clearly untrue otherwise why on earth would I be on this website? To sneer and say to myself "Ha look at those ignorant fools not believing in not believing."?? I do not dismiss other religions - few atheists do - in fact I take quite the opposite approach. If I ever found any reason to believe in any deity I would with no hesitation and I will continue to idly search for some reason from time to time. However in all honesty I can't help viewing religion as some source of strength, you don't have to rely on yourself you can rely on God! An all powerful being! Yowza! How snug & safe & warm I feel... part of the subconscious desire to remain in infancy maybe; in security. We are the children of God who never need to grow up, we will stay in his care forever. And from my perspective, being the proud fellow that I am (there's that word again), I see this as unnecessary if that's all that it is as I feel perfectly secure on my own two feet. I see the philosophy of Christianity & yeah it makes sense but I see 'God' as a manifestation or maybe a projection of ourselves; our own minds. That is, I think, the simple reason why I (and most other atheists I'm fairly certain) do not believe in him. Not because we're stubborn and refuse to because our own beliefs tell us to deny him.
Age old argument: We do good because it makes us feel better about ourselves. No matter what. If you felt horrible, immoral, sick and disgusted with yourself every time you say gave to charity or some such act of kindness would you still do it?