OK, here goes. All that we mortals are capable of understanding as good or evil can be traced back to pleasure and pain. Pleasure and pain are not as simple as they appear at first, because there are near and long term consequenses for actions. So even for an individual, there are trade offs between what feels good now and what results in the greatest long term pleasure.
Morality also deals with pleasure and pain, but focuses on groups rather than individuals. there are moral codes that deal with families, gangs, tribes, nations, species, and the totality of living things. Take your pick.
I am not dodging the problem of specific rules. I believe that except for a few easy situations, most of the things we do in life have indeterminant consequenses. If we focus on intentions we run into the paving stones for the road to hell. If we focus on following the law, we find it is possible to twist the intent of the law 180 degrees.
But I think, in all the excitement, that you've completely lost track of the conversation flow.
I said, And that makes a difference some here find personally terrifying.
You retorted, I suppose it would be terrifying to believe in a God who punishes people for their thoughts. It may be rational to fear such a God, but how does it follow that He is good?
And I asked (as I ask again), Define "good."
Dan