There is no definable distinction between between religious beliefs and moral conscience, and in practice they often blur together. Look into to the beliefs of Quakers and Buddhists if you need examples.


I think this is sloppy thought, with all due respect. Moral conscience can be articulated perfectly well without any religious referent whatsoever, and using religious rationalization to frame it is actually (I believe) a copout and a failure to won one's personal ethical sense. The definable distinction you say does not exist is simple and readily available to anyone who wants his moral perception uncompromised by artificial constructs; for example, it could be structured by examining the relative "good" in consequences of any action in terms of bringing about future existence along various channels of creative work (such as families, other organizations, various forms of life, etc.)

It is also (IMHO) perfectly possible to construct a highly complete set of spiritual values without troubling oneself about theology (and Buddhism is a good example, in its original form).

A