Diversity in Atheism

One would think that an Atheist denies any existence of God. That isn't the case however. There are supposedly three different waves of Atheism. The first wave was the one we are all familiar with, declaring that there is no God. The second wave actually took a vastly different approach, claiming that there is no doubt that God exists. What caused them to lost faith was the fact that God's existence didn't lead to an end in the world's suffering. The third and current wave claims that there is no God, but perhaps there is value to religion.
I want to address that third group's stance. Taking out the concept of God, what is religion? Quite frankly it becomes just another organization or group, comparable to the government or the boy scouts. God is what makes religion. Without that higher being, religion is merely a social gathering. Without God, there is no weight to any religious text, nor religious rituals. Without God, there is no religious diversity and nor is there religious approaches to living life.
For me personally, the third wave of atheists are riding a nonexistent wave. Because without God, there is no religion.
Of course another point is arguable here. Why do we need religion? Well religion does many of the same things that other social organizations do: 1. it gives a sense of community 2. it builds relationships 3. It provides a social network to fall back upon. But it also does more than that. Religion provides meaning, or purpose in life. Atheists have no belief in God, so what are their aims in life? Money, fame, knowledge? These are aspects that are whimsical, and can be lost as quickly as they are gained. Faith in a higher being and an afterlife however, has driven people through entire lifetimes. Perhaps more importantly, it has given satisfaction. What can atheists say to that?