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Why do theists apply their moral code to others? Because they prefer to do it.

According to the theist's moral code, it is often likely more than a preference; it is part of his very purpose in this existence. It is by his purpose in this existence, as he understands it, that he has a directive to live by the code. Because an atheist applies his personal code of conduct to others does not mean that he had a universal directive to do so.

Choosing a code of conduct is not like picking out a favorite flavor of ice cream. If a person believes there is no God, then the person comes up with a code that he somehow thinks accomodates that belief. But if a person believes that Jesus was an actual historical figure and that the claims made about him are correct, i.e. that the Bible as we know it today contains historically accurate information, then that person will be compelled to accept the moral code promulgated by the Bible as being true, regardless of whether or not that person breaks some of the code. If the person is a drunkard, who likes getting tanked, yet believes what the Bible says, then his belief system leaves him with a dilemma: stop doing what you like in favor of doing the thing he is convinced is right; or turn his back on what he believes to be true and do what he is convinced is wrong. I know of no comparable dilemma that the amoral person has. Nothing is truly right or wrong in any higher sense, so even if he breaks his own code, it's all the same as choosing another flavor of ice cream.

But to come to the decision that God provides the purpose in your life, you have already decided that God has value to you. You have judged God as having value. For that decision there is no justification. After it, you can justify your actions by an appeal to authority. "This is the right thing to do because God tells me so." But, you have already decided, on your own, without an appeal to authority, that you value the authority.

Even if God exists, one is not compelled to believe that what he says to do is Good. If we were so compelled, there would be no morality. If we all were compelled to do the things we do, where does that leave morality?

The theist has to answer the question, "Why do what God tells us to do?" The only answer I can see that makes sense is, "You do what God tells you to do because you want to." It's just something that you want to do. There is no higher justification for it.

All people, theists and atheists, can have regrets. It is part of the human condition. We all wake up now and then and say, "Damn, I shouldn't have done that last night." In other words, the expression "I'll do it, but I'll probably hate myself in the morning," is something that all people, theists and atheists alike understand. Why? Because our short term desires are sometimes different than our long-term goals.