To a degree, i wonder if we need a new breed of atheist idols. The old guard is too gloomy and frail. Atheism can be a rosy cheeked child. This perceived unhealthiness attached to existentialism should go away.
There is a trend sometimes called New Atheism that you may find satisfying. Its main tenets seem to be that all claims can be subjected to scientific inquiry (including religous claims), and that atheism needn't be depressing.
Prolific authors in the trend include Richard Dawkins, Jerry Coyne, Sam Harris, and others.
We do but they are awful and flawed...Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk etc...we revere the rich as if they were gods. I would not be surprised if John Gruber has prayed to Steve at least once.
