Why do you make a difference between "religion and atheism"? If you ask me, atheism is a religion where people believe that there is no God (a creator), but rather evolution. (Furthermore, the evolution doesnt explain the origin (creation) of life, but rather the development.)

"People do not believe in evolution because they have been led there by solid evidence. They are stampeded into the Darwinian community by superficial, emotional, and personal factors."

By choosing a religion (incl. atheism), you actually choose the meaning of your life.
(life for God vs. life for nothing). Also you choose between being a creation of God vs. having a monkey as grandpa.