Does atheism inspire people?

[Angrboda]

I'm coming to this late, so forgive me if this has been said, but the art of so-called atheistic religions like Buddhism, Jainism, Taoism, Confucianism, Chinese calligraphy, Japanese sword making and the tradition of the Samurai, the Japanese aesthetic of Wabi Sabi, and countless others that I'm ignorant of demonstrate a profound lack of a need for a personal god to serve as inspiration. The pre-historic art of China, the marvelous tomb of the Terra Cotta warriors — do you seriously contend that the only inspired art is that of the Judeo-Chistian tradition? That is not only arrogant, it's just plain dumb.

For what it's worth, despite being a theist myself, I spend most of my time around atheists, skeptics and humanists, and I can assure you, they are quite inspired: From the woman who gives up several nights a month to educate others about humanism and to advocate for humanist ethics, including a night each month exploring humanist themes in poetry, to the multiple atheists who organize book clubs and discussion groups so people can learn and share ideas, including one who not only has kick-ass book selections, but has organized a tour of a Scientology church, and recently an afternoon at the horse races; people outside of faith are far from the uninspired sots you seem to be imagining.

I'm afraid this is turning into a rant, but I'm just sure the OP wouldn't consider the enormously rich artistic and literary heritages of the Indus valley, China, Japan, other parts of Asia, Central and South America and other parts to be "inspired by God" — which I don't think it is any stretch to presume by this he means art inspired by HIS god.