I think it does liftsome road blocks I used to have in Catholism, so I guess in an secondary way.

I think that it does. I would also think that believers would have the same tendency to think that their perspective would allow a "larger" view.

Yes always been a Humanist.

the universe never cese to amaze me with its wonder

Not really, it is my experience that gestalt phenomena do not last, they quickly devolve in to an -cracy of one kind or another at best, or in to a cult of popularity at worst, in either case ceasing to be a true gestalt where the whole is greater than the sum of participating parts and instead becomes a collective conformity under the insistent or forceful guidance of a small cabal for the furtherance of their own objectives and a lie of the collective good.

I value my individuality too much for that.

No.

Yes, since childhood. I could see where others left off, or stopped thinking, and still do.. I think they find comfort within boundaries; I’d rather know what’s out there...

Self-imposed ignorance robs you of a large chunk of life. We appear to exist on a higher plane, perhaps the danger of falling is greater, but the view is spectacular!

No not really - everyone ot nme seems so individualistic that I am constantly amazed at how different we all are

There's a question that floats around some surveys that asks something along the lines of this (but not exactly, I can't remember it):

Do you consider yourself a member of:

1. your community
2. your town/city
3. your country
4. planet Earth

It was something like that. The point of it was to see how broad your sense of affiliation with other people was. Is this what you're asking? Does my lack of belief broaden my solidarity with my fellow humans?

I don't think it was my lack of belief in god. What opened my eyes was living overseas for several years (when I was active duty military). I had come from a small town with a homogenous white/Christian population and living in other cultures really reshaped my worldview.

I was born into nonbelief, so have nothing to compare it to. I always think what gives me a 'larger perspective' on the world is being part of a minority group.

An insider turned outsider understands both sides -- to the chagrin and fear of remaining insiders.

Gestalt: an organized whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts. I find your question perplexing, is there a way for you to rephrase in more simple terms? (Forest for trees sounds like an oxymoron.)
Bewildred,
ME

Indeed for sure, my eyes are wide open even when I blink

I have wondered if being able to see the bigger picture is what led to my atheism, or if my atheism led to me being able to see the bigger picture. The former, I think.

Probably.