Perhaps it is emunah after all, as people have said. Rebbe Nachman predicted a great wave of atheism, writing over 200 years ago:
“Great atheism is coming to the world as a test from on high. The world’s many sins are causing a terrible lack of faith. Happy is the person who stays firm in his faith in these times.
The fact that I am predicting this will not prevent the increase of Godlessness and confusion. Long ago Daniel and others made it known that this would happen in the days before the Mashiach. ‘Many will purify themselves and be refined, and make themselves shining white. But the wicked will do evil. and only the wise shall understand'(Daniel 12:10 ) .
Knowing that this has already been foreseen, it would seem that it should not be such a great trial for people to remain strong and firm in their faith. But the truth is that even though the prophets made this known long ago, it will still be a great trial. Many will fall by the way , and that is why it is written: ‘the wicked will do evil.’
I am revealing this for the sake of the few pure souls who will remain firm in their faith. They will certainly face great battles even in their own minds. But when they see that this has already been predicted, it will give them greater strength and encouragement.”
Sichot Haran #35
“Likewise, just before Mashiach comes, there will be a flood of atheism – not a literal flood of water but one of strange thoughts that will cover all the ‘high mountains’ even in the land of Israel, which was not affected by Noah’s flood. The rains will teem down with such force that even the ‘mountains of Israel’ will be drenched – even the hearts of the pure will be affected.
Wisdom and sophistication will be of no avail. The only ones who will hold firm are the simple Jews who recite Psalms simply and sincerely. That is why, when the Mashiach comes, they will be the ones who place the royal crown on his head.”