Well, I think it is simply a combination of objective reality that affects an individual and some subjective views and the way people brains work. That is how you can explain that some people can see what others don't.

And dreams and hopes are coming from their helplessness. People? instead of judging world from materialist point of view become idealists in philosophical understanding, meaning they believe in some fate, good luck, god etc that will take care of everything.

BTW what do you think of religion? Are many people religious in Germany?