[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

...blind optimism encouraged by religious belief, especially in certain ethnic groups, played a role in reckless housing speculation.

If in the sense that atheism is a religion, then OK.

I doubt that corporate heads or Wall Street or the government are very religious in the traditional sense.

[khnyny]

If in the sense that atheism is a religion, then OK.

I doubt that corporate heads or Wall Street or the government are very religious in the traditional sense.

Many of these individuals typically exhibit a certain ruthlessness which is incongruent with most religious belief systems. When you have no limits, it's easy to do whatever it takes.