No. We are not "born with a conscience". Children who are abused and/or neglected during the first few months of their lives do not develop the same social skills or ability to empathise as a child in a loving supportive environment. Later in life, that "missing piece" makes it difficult for them to function as healthy adults. Many simply do not have the same sense of right and wrong as the mainstream does.

"a layer of platitudes from the Christian mishmash of rules and doctrines" Wow Amos. That is harsh. I am an atheist but I respect the beliefs of others and recognize that some need these beliefs to function and/or deal with their own mortality.

I don't think that this thread started as a religion bashing. Pied Piper hasn't taken into account the effect that religious education from birth predisposes people to remain within their family's chosen religion. For some, the "fact" that Christ is god is as rock solid as the knowledge that their mothers love them. They have known it since birth and simply haven't had it challenged or in the face of challenge came to the conclusion that their faith is a critical part of who they are.

I have said this before. I wish I could believe in a set of rules provided by a religion. My life would be so much simpler if I didn't have to decide for myself what is right and wrong especially when there is only a precarious grey area available. And when I screw up, it would be such a relief to obtain forgiveness, dump it on the local father/pastor/rabbi and walk away from it.