From the Washington Post: The Age of Atheism: "So how should one live without God?"

The Age of Atheism: How We Have Sought to Live Since the Death of God, by Peter Watson

By Michael Dirda

"So how should one live without God? There is, obviously, no single or clear-cut answer. But I think Bertrand Russell was right to point out that “when striving ceases so does life.” To dream of comfort and ease is simply to yearn for death. We belong to the species homo faber, put on this earth to make things, to get on with our work. And, if I may quote nominalist theology in this irreligious context, to those who do what lies within them, God will not deny grace. In the end, though, even the most fortunate among us must deal with what Freud called “everyday unhappiness.” That, it would seem, is the default human condition. As Rilke wrote: “Wer spricht von Siegen? Überstehen ist alles” — Who speaks of victory? Endurance is everything."