The determination that it will make the world better (or at least not worse).
If the "authority figure" is God, then yes.
So the only difference between you and the Islamofascists is the specific book which you assert contains God's instructions? I don't believe that.
Now now. Calling someone the I word is as bad as calling someone the N word.
No, I agree that you can live a moral life without believing in anything. But why bother?
Of course, I don't have a problem with acknowledging that God created a pretty cool place for all of us to live. I just don't know why some fail to give Him the respect He deserves.