My point was that recognition of the universal moral law is universal
i would offer a slightly differing view , the universal laws vs killing ,thieft, trespass , assault et al are the product of the first social contracts between the members of the first tribal groups , they are the default laws allowing the group to work in trust with each other , ...it is the later over laying organized religion that brings the moral tag .. the althority of a god to punish the wrong doers beyond death , and gives the moral tag its power .
these laws clearly predate the birth of christ and even the first covenentes with the tribes of Israel .. so these are not about following a god ,but about living with your fellow human beings , religion brings the laws into domain as examples of correct behavior but not of religious obsevence or ritual .
as for this so called "degenerative trend" i have yet to see an concert example ... to much is missperception ...
for example on e recent BBC news report is told how a community was worried by raising crime , when in fact crime figures showed a 30 % fall , however the local media had incressed its reporting of what crime there was by 50% ... thus we see more of what was once hidden and assume a raise .
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