Atheism

With most of the people I know turning atheists, I turn everyday to my deeply religious roots. Is it because I am a very complicated person? I wonder! I need some help from our scriptures to understand how to be more peaceful, happy and content. The scriptures have a lot to offer. Ramayana tells us the story of Rama – an extremely virtuous person living a normal life. When we turn our attention to people like that, slowly we imbibe their characteristics. When I listen or read to the numerous stories in our scriptures (I love stories as well), it makes me deeply content. I am yet to understand the reason for the contentment. The grand images and beautiful characters who are ever giving make me inspired.
I am not against atheists. I don’t understand why atheists hate theists like me. The atheists totally detest temple worship. Are they totally oblivious of the fact that the temples support millions of small businesses – in the form of flowers, idols and calendars/posters? The money donated to a temple by rich people goes to good causes. Temples offer free food and shelter for homeless people. A small part of the money goes into buying coconuts and other worship items for the idols. I guess it is not such an immense amount to the millions looted by our politicians.
If someone really followed our scriptures, they would contribute to a loving and beautiful society. Yet, most of us follow things that are convenient to us.