Unfortunately, Paul, I don't think you are going to get a satisfying answer to this question, either. 
Whereas a believer, like myself, is more likely to to relate these issues to the human spirit and it's ways of affecting the mind, an atheist, like yourself, is more likely to relate these issues to the mind itself and attribute the problem squarely there. So it's another merri-go-round, and you've got further probing to do if you want to understand all of this, haha!
It doesbring up some interesting points of discussion though, that's for sure...I'd like to explain the nature of belief and how it's the 'one step further' that might demonstrate how it can be viable here...
Whereas a believer, like myself, is more likely to to relate these issues to the human spirit and it's ways of affecting the mind, an atheist, like yourself, is more likely to relate these issues to the mind itself and attribute the problem squarely there. So it's another merri-go-round, and you've got further probing to do if you want to understand all of this, haha!It doesbring up some interesting points of discussion though, that's for sure...I'd like to explain the nature of belief and how it's the 'one step further' that might demonstrate how it can be viable here...
