People are completely capable of being total atheists and doing amazing things.

I agree. Completely. I'm not discussing that. Historically, religion has inspired poets, artists, musicians, and countless others in different ways. Those actions were performed by humans, and inspired by their religion.

Could they have done it without religion? without a doubt. But they didn't.

Honestly, I probably should have self-edited that first paragraph. I was noodling around and wasn't sure where the point was going to end up.