The logic of self-refutation is lost on these people. C.S. Lewis provided a thorough refutation of materialism in "Miracles" and it has been done on several of these threads. My favorite materialist theories relate to "paleopsychology" (I can't type the word without laughing)and the idea that morality, religious feelings, etc., are the product of genetics or some other material cause, yet, atheist feelings are somehow exempted, and so are the theories. Inquiring minds want to know how it is that morality and religious feelings are the result of irrational material casues, but atheism and the thoughts of atheists aren't!
Exactly.
The mental defense mechanisms seem to be cemented in place. It seems from their behavior that atheists want God not to exist so they can engage in whatever sinful practice appeals to them. On the other hand, they want to uphold "morality" (without God) when they want to be secure in their posessions.