[Ichneumon]

The only alternative to accepting these universal moral absolutes is "every man for himself".

Oh, puh-leaze.... If you think that is the "only alternative", then you clearly haven't even bothered thinking about the issue very much.

[little jeremiah]

I used to be an atheist. Used to argue with religious believers, I couldn't handle a lot of the Christian dogmatic beliefs that didn't make sense, such as Adam and Eve, going to hell forever, and so on.

Then I decided I really wanted to know the truth - the truth about what caused the universe, why I was alive, on the earth - what happens after death, and is there any purpose or meaning to life other than get born, eat, and die.

I found out because I wanted to find out, and I gave up my arrogance of thinking I knew.

You can find out, too. Anyone can. You just have to admit that you really don't know whether God exists or not, and ask to be shown, and you will be shown.