Rationalist, pl read "Volga to Ganga" to know how that "formless,attributeless" god was invented when people lost faith in "Indra, Varuna, Agni, etc". Have you read Yajur Veda which deals mainly with the rituals? The prayers are mostly addressed to "Agni". The primitive tribes were in awe of Fire. Even today the Parsis worship only fire and their palce of wroship is known as "Fire Temple".
Btw there not much difference between hinduism and atheism. The hindus pray for relief from the "cycle of birth and death" the atheists beleive that every thing ends here. So we are achieving what the hindus achieve by praying!!
