Do you believe in a absolute moral code?

There are lots of people that have decided over history, for most of us we are forced to decide as we make decisions. Many people adhere to a religious book/teaching to know what is or isn't moral.

I don't need a book, or a God, or a Religion, to live my life as "a good man". If someone needs those things and that works for them then I am happy for them that they have what they need.

@softspokenman: So what defines 'good man'?

@Greenbare: So you don't want anyone to tell you what to do. Though you do seem to keep telling me that I am telling you what to do when I am mostly just asking questions for the sake of my own curiosity.

What if my happiness is dependent on me telling you what to do?
Would you have a problem with someone telling someone not to steal from you? What about parents instructing their children not to lie or cheat or beat other people up? What about the government telling people not to murder each other? I live in a democracy where I have a duty to be involved to a degree. Thus I have to have a fairly well thought out idea of what is and isn't okay within our society.

@mar3sword: My deeds. If you are asking Who defines what a good man is ? That is determined by others who evaluate/judge my deeds, according to their needs and beliefs. I am a selfish man. Whenever I do something for someone, no matter how small that is, and I see that they benefit from it, that gives me a Good Feeling inside. I like that feeling, I want that feeling again, I need that feeling again. I'm selfish that way.

@softspokenman: Then you are equally responsible for evaluating others?

@mar3sword: No individual has any right to dictate and indoctrinate other people. Free, Open, Discussion between intelligent people leads to a common understanding.

@softspokenman: Free, open, discussion is what I am looking for here. I consider myself fairly intelligent, I will leave you to judge whether or not that consideration is right.

But you said whether or not you are a "good man" is determined by others. So when do the 'others' get the do the determining and what is it based on?

@mar3sword: If you show up in my home in the middle of the night and you weren't invited and I don't know you, I'm not going to ask you what your religion is, or if you are Dem or Rep, or what college you went to, OR for a resume. I'm going to blow a big hole in your butt !

@softspokenman: Ah, so you are now assuming that my asking is out of place because I don't know you?

But here we are on an open internet page where I asked a question to start a conversation because I am a curious person. You chose to engage, so really it is like me knocking on your door in the middle of the day and asking if you would like to talk about your beliefs about right and wrong and you inviting me in to do so over a plate of biscuits and some tea.

Still I do appreciate that you aren't shooting to kill me in your scenario. My butt will heal with proper medical attention. Please don't shoot me in the face. ;)

@mar3sword: My deeds.

@softspokenman: Yes, we are all judged on the basis of our deeds because people cannot see our thoughts. But I asked when and by whom and by what standard?

@mar3sword: LOL. I think that it may take more than some stitches to fix that, more like a transplant. DUDE ... I don't do Tea and Biscuits ... anytime of the night/day TY. 8)

@softspokenman: But you get my meaning I hope... ;) I am down to do beers and BBQ if that is more your style

@mar3sword: Tell me your thoughts about when,who and what. I think that I have answered those questions already in my comments on the whole. I believe that people are born inherently good, not sinners with guilt and fear.

@softspokenman: I adhere to such a religious code as you mentioned earlier as not needing. So I will not tire you with an explanation of such. But I hope you can pardon me for having such curiosity to wonder how others go through life without and how they determine right from wrong. I was hoping you would care to help me learn and understand.

@mar3sword: I don't think that you have gotten my meaning.

@mar3sword: Most of my adult life I have searched for the/a simple Truth by questioning and reading about others. (If you cant explain it simply then you don't understand it yourself" ~ A. Einstein).
I (*YOU*) are The most important thing in this life. Without me (*) there is nothing, no self awareness, no love or hate, no good or evil, nothing exists without me (*). I (*)need gratification to exist. As a human I (*) have needs, (Hierarchy of Needs ~ Abraham Maslow). I also receive gratification by helping others ("The reason why we are here is to help others." The Dali Lama) I (YOU) determine how I (*) live my (*)life. (perhaps I don't understand it myself ?)

@mar3sword: Comments ?

@softspokenman: Well put, admiral sources, bravo! From an individual perspective yes. Also from speaking as humanity as a whole. I actually agree with you completely with one exception, I believe good and evil exist without humans. I believe in a moral code that is outside of time.

So to be a good man you live to fulfill your needs while experiencing personal gratification by helping others?

From what you are saying the question of personal or absolute morality ties into the purpose of life... This is getting complicated.