I don't think atheism is essential, but perhaps instead the belief that a person's worth comes from their work/output. Religion certainly provides a way "out"

I don't think atheism is essential, but perhaps instead the belief that a person's worth comes from their work/output. Religion certainly provides a way "out" of that conundrum for people who lose meaning in their work, due to automation or injury or any other reason. But then, so does eg hedonism.