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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.

"The source [of moral code] 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 think people are capable of coming up with moral codes and rules without the help of a God. "

Couldn't "ourselves" be considered "inate"?

Wouldn't that logic lead to being "programmed" or "implantation" -- whatever moral code the psyche accepts as "truth"?

The metaphysical is just as real as the physical -- is it not? BOTH have had to be created by...someone OR some thing. WE are not our own creator in a physical sense, nor then mental.

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.

Again, the circle leads to WHO created those "traits" or "instincts"?

On the subject of "will," yes, that is "us" -- unquestionably our essense.