[Liberator]

"The rule of reciprocity, or in Christianity, the 'Golden Rule' is generally a good moral compass. This precept predates Christianity and can generally be found in one way or another in just about every moral code, religious or secular."

I don't doubt or question the existence of a "Golden Rule," or "moral code," -- but from whence did it fount?

And from what source?

If we accept that a "moral code" has been inately implanted into our psyche, does that then preclude a creator of the principle of creative design?

This is why every metaphysical characteristic of man -- and explanation thereof -- invariably leads back the Creationism.

Without a Creator, how can the immaterial world of "good-bad"; "right-wrong"; "beauty-ugliness" exist without "programming" from a Creator?

[Stone Mountain]

I don't doubt or question the existence of a "Golden Rule," or "moral code," -- but from whence did it fount? And from what source?

The source is ourselves. Even people who believe in a religion, believe it because it feels right to them. This is the same for athiests. Athiests aren't given a moral code - they have to decide for themselves what they believe in and what is moral. I brought up the rule of reciprocity because I was asked what basis atheists use to determine morality, and that concept is one that atheists use. But yes, at the end of it, it is a decision that we make for ourselves.

I understand that you believe that for us to have come to this result, it would have to have been put there (or programmed) by a creator, but I don't share this conclusion. I think people are capable of coming up with moral codes and rules without the help of a God.

If we accept that a "moral code" has been inately implanted into our psyche, does that then preclude a creator of the principle of creative design?

I'm not sure I accept your premise. But if so, I think it is possible that one of the survival traits that ended getting selected for was reciprocity - caring about one's fellow man. That would clearly be a strong survival trait and I can see how those without it would not have survived very long.