Where there is no skepticism and clear-thinking, we have the emotional attachment of those worshiping theory and living in a hypothetical world. Theirs is a devotion to an idea, which is actually a faith. Hope and change, anyone? Climate Change?

Am I the only one puzzled that atheists are worshipping at the altars of Obama and AlGore...

Philosophical Materialists worship politics and politicians. Some worship nothing. Everyone else worships God.

There may have been a time that I was puzzled by this. Not anymore.

It seems logical to me. I've noticed that those who lack spiritual/existential purpose in their lives are the ones most likely to get involved in cultist movements. One
example is the Hale-Bopp Cult whose members timed
their group suicide with the passing of the Hale-Bopp Comet about 12 years ago.