Theland - // Andy, my apologies for unintended offence given. //
For someone who does not intend to give offence, you do so a significantly larger number of times than just about anyone else on this site!
// My poin is we need a moral authority beyond and outside of ourselves that is objectively independent and not affected by the whims of our feelings. //
Actually, if you prefaced that with 'In my opinion … ' or something of that nature, it would stop it being the edict from on high that you clearly believe it is, and others, including myself, so not.
I do not need something 'outside myself' to create or maintain my moral code - I manage it all by myself, as does any mature adult with an ounce of humanity in them.
// Please forgive me for being insensitive to your and others feelings. It has never been my intention to cause upset. //
Your insensitivity comes from your unshakeable belief that holding your faith makes you right, and others who do not hold it, wrong.
You will offer offence again, and you will apologise again - it's just the way your faith makes you - more's the pity.