re: How many thousands of years until current believers give up?

A lot of younger people say they're religious almost purely for the sake of being religious. Believing in a "higher power" and not defining it at all, for me, is irreligousness or atheism. Pantheism, etc. etc..

I think it's very difficult to keep believing because, well, the books have obvious contradictions and at this point I have to question if it can sustain itself without having another change in its philosophy.

The debates are also waking people up -- and that's a big deal. Debates are so important. If you're an atheist or you're religious, you should watch debates.