Jesus Christ Ladies and Gentleman!

I don't get why so much fuss about it, Atma is not even required, If you don't like it, just don't do it. There are other choices, like Farm Leviathan or even Turn 5 now that it is spammable.

You want even more powerful weapons?, do Second Coils of Bahamut, grab your unidentified tomes and buy them from Rowena. It's all about choices really, I see Atmas more like an alternative way of getting a better weapon for people that don't like to raid.

But by no means whatsoever is it a requirement.