Help Me Understand

Help me understand how this thinking develops. The Freedom From Religion Foundation has a poster (bumper sticker?) with a picture of a man who is supposedly stating: “I can be good without God.” OK. So where does his concept of “good” come from? What is the definition of “good?” How does one know when one is doing “good” as opposed to doing “bad?”

For example, is the rattlesnake doing “bad” when he bites me? Or is he protecting himself and his offspring (or just being ‘meaner than a snake’)? Why does the lion fight with the hyena over the downed buck rather than sharing the bounty?

One might be tempted to say, “It’s in the conscience.” So where did the conscience come from and/or who programmed its operation? We could not have “inherited” it via evolution since animals (our theoretical prehistoric progenitors) don’t seem to have one. I am not sure I even understand why I would want to be “good,” in so many respects, if I am not acting out of obedience to a “higher knowledge.” I am not sure any one bear in the woods is looking for ways to help other bears in the woods find food and shelter. The dog does seem loyal – perhaps because one feeds and cares for him, but, given the opportunity, he is unabashedly promiscuous in his sex life.

“I can be good without God.” How? Why? Help me understand.