I appreciate that and I'm grateful for your contributions on these boards as well.
I believe that conscience represents the law of God written upon each of our hearts. Often times we instinctively recognize something as right or wrong with no prior experience to guide that opinion. It's been impressed upon us by God....coded into us if you will. I believe it's as simple as instinctively recognizing that stealing is wrong....even small children inherently grasp this. Why is stealing wrong? Because God is not a thief.
I believe that the laws of logic are established by the very nature of God. He is the source of logic. The objective standard by which all things are measured. There exists such a schism between groups as they interpret what is logical and what is illogical or what is truth and what is a fallacious claim or argument. The subjectivity of men lends itself to every wind of doctrine tossing us to and fro as scripture states. It's only when grounded in the objectivity of God does logic have a genuine foundation.
I believe that when people make a conscious decision to suppress God that they progressively harden their hearts and therefore there's no drawing of God in their lives. Through his foreknowledge of their deeds he knows their hearts are shut to him and therefore coming to him in repentance will not happen so they never experience his divine drawing to salvation. At least in agnosticism there's more hope that hearts aren't fully shut, but with the majority of atheists it's typically a done deal and their eternity sealed.
Something about your post made me stop and think for a while, MoS. One of those which require careful consideration. I really appreciate that. You got me thinking how conscience must be our most important day-to-day thought process, since it's the only one greater (and last thing standing) after logic. Our logic couldn't exist without it, and yet the reverse isn't necessarily true.
Meaning that, contrary to popular opinion, logic must answer to conscience and not the other way around. Of all things, logic itself shows that's true.
I then have to say, as you've already led to, that conscience appears to be an independent force, from outside ourselves. We know it exists in the most unlikely situations, as you point out, often regardless of the harshest circumstances in which it must defy. We know, too, clearly and by definition, it has a most peculiar ability to serve as a guide, so perfectly unwavering in its message -- supporting the idea that it is an external print upon us. Furthermore, and most importantly: it holds unique command over feelings of satisfaction, contentment, fulfillment, even relief, that are drawn completely from outside of the self.
It shows, imo, that your post is sound reasoning.