There are people in this world who live the most fantastic, effective lives without ever contemplating god...?

Hate to break it to ya, but there are plenty of religious people living very fulfilling lives. There are also atheists, much like yourself, whose lives seem to be not very fantastic or effective, or they wouldn't be spending their time here just to attempt to bash other's beliefs. Face it, people living fantastic, fulfilling lives aren't gonna be spending their time here bashing others, gotta be something very wrong with a person to spend their time this way. The atheists living those wonderful lives don't become petty little bashers, because they don't feel the need to attack others. You need to take a good long look in the mirror.