Subject: Re: Overcoming nihilism
"......contrary to the widespread stereotype of atheists as immoral, the surprising reality today is that atheists and agnostics actually exhibit very compassionate, ethical, altruistic, and humane proclivities. Indeed, if anything characterizes the personal orientation of contemporary secular people, aside from their godlessness, it is their care and concern for the well-being of others'care and concern that is often stronger and more pronounced than that of religious people."

I agree wholeheartedly. And I think that this is unavoidable because each religion has its own god. Once a person chooses to believe in a particular god, or pantheon of gods, that automatically sets up a worth-based conflict with everyone who accepts a different god, and everyone who does not accept that "god" exists. Their god is the only true god, and those who accept a false god as genuine are not worthy. So they're full of care and concern for their brethren, who are deserving of it, but not for the idolators and disbelievers. It's basically no different than warring tribes, except the "territory" is of a different nature.