I posted this link elsewhere in response to another post. As I thought about it later, I decided I would post it as an initial post on its own. The study conducted by Nicholas Epley at the University of Chicago basically concluded that believers use their own moral beliefs to determine those of their God's. The study used surveys and brain scans to draw their conclusions. I suggest anyone interested in the research refer to the article. It is much more complete than I will be here.

This research was an important contribution to my current beliefs and understanding of belief in diety. If true, and I thought the evidence was convincing, we are ultimately responsible for our own moral code, our own behavor and attitudes. Even those who attribute their moral behavior to their belief in a God or a religious code have chosen this behavior for themselves. Could they have chosen it without their belief in God? I think so; I don't believe their rationalization for any good or moral behavior is any more valid than their rationalizations for bad behavior with or without their religious beliefs (the Devil made me do it, or following some Divine Command Theory directive). In my estimation, this situation cause beluef in any particular God - or any God at all - irrevelent. What causes someone to be a decent and contributing individual has nothing at all to do with believing the right religion or believing in any religion at all. We as individuals are ultimately responsible for ourselves, our beliefs, and our behavior. God really has nothing to do with it.