They are still around and have the same problems
In the age of spirituality, people tend to forget that there are atheists still around. I like to frequent one atheism website to keep up on non-academic atheistic thinking. This site has insightful discussions and facts about popular atheistic reasoning and lifestyle.
On a recent forum post, an atheist expresses his thoughts about everyday living:
For me, this has been a problem from day one of realizing that I was indeed an atheist. Once realizing that you don't believe in g-d, a lot of stuff just doesn't make sense anymore. For instance, why you should strive in life? For a better house, car, money, etc. Yet, a true atheist has somewhat of a belief that since there is no heaven, no hell, yadada—so what's the point. Now, once the material stuff is out of the way, what do you have to look forward to? About a 100 years of living, then you are dead? ... This is probably the only thing I envy as an Atheist, the drive. For “believers” in the big g, they have a drive if nothing else. They have an afterlife or a purpose in living. As an atheist, when it all boils down to how much you can possibly matter in the reality, I just don't see much that is possible. That is the most troubling thing about being one. I can stand people getting pissed off because of my non-belief in anything, I can stand ignorant people actually trying to “beat me up” (which is always fun and pleasant), but what I can't stand is not [to] have a purpose in what I am doing day to day? (emphasis added).
Of course, not having a purpose in life doesn't necessarily prove the existence of god. However, it does point out the stark reality of the consequences of ideas. This person has it exactly right—it is a dreadful thing not to have meaning and purpose in life.