I can only speak in terms of my philosophy and not some scientific findings, but I'll at least give you my philosophy on the matter.

Atheism is a denial of God, of course. And, at the heart of that denial is a cut-off from any substantial meaning that the universe could possibly possess for people, that is, beyond a certain everyday level since meaning can be found in your children, or in your job, or in sports, etc. This everyday meaning is fine for most purposes in getting through life, but as the 9/11 event witnessed, people instantly turn toward the more significant meaning of God when they feel a stronger need to be consoled.

Without having this consolement available, I think humans turn inward and become more frustrated and disillusioned, to the point to where for many people even the everyday meaning in life (family, wealth, jobs, etc) are no longer satisfactory. Of course, there will always be a number of people who can satisfy their need for meaning without a belief in God, but as the old saying goes "there are no atheists in foxholes"; the more traumatic the circumstance of the individual the more difficult it is to maintain that inward stability without a belief in God. In addition, I think, the longer a society goes without that meaning provided to the society as a whole (i.e., a society raised in atheism), society produces fewer and fewer contented atheists in foxholes, and more and more addition related illnesses.

• That's: more addiction related illnesses (nt) - harvey1 - June 13, 2003 - 22:01 UTC
  • "You'll never walk alone" - whomi - June 13, 2003 - 22:23 UTC
    • The soft, sentimental longing - harvey1 - June 13, 2003 - 23:16 UTC
      • Who's "you"? - lysithea - June 13, 2003 - 23:32 UTC
        • I'm 'me' - harvey1 - June 14, 2003 - 02:43 UTC
          • Harv is anonymous; Mike Pearson is not - whomi - June 14, 2003 - 03:04 UTC
            • Yes, Leesa might be. - lysithea - June 15, 2003 - 00:41 UTC
              • Thank you Nice to have a note from you - whomi - June 15, 2003 - 04:30 UTC
• Good point. - lysithea - June 13, 2003 - 23:24 UTC