As an atheist who grew up watching Dawkins & Hitchens debate the religious, I can relate. As I grew older, I realized the importance of Christianity in providing meaning, & building a community of people more loyal to shared values than just having a group of self-centered mercenaries.

Nowadays, if I knew nothing else about someone, & was asked if I would rather live among atheists (tend to be liberal or leftist), or just christians, I'd choose to live among christians.