To assess this view that the conscience is not the voice of God but learned we have to consider what a conscience really is. Many define the conscience as a personal moral that guides us with moral and ethical issues, helping us to weigh up the more or less important ones. It is also shaped by the consequences from our actions and the lessons we learn. I take the stance of the statement disagreeing with the traditional religious view of a God-given conscience, our conscience is fabricated through our up bringing an environment and the reflection on past memories but the belief in God may affect how we respond and listen to our conscience.

The proposition that the concept is not the voice of God but learned is supported by many psychologists. For instance Erich Fromm argued that all humans are influenced by external authorities such as Church leaders, parents and teachers who embed rules and guidelines into us and apply punishments for when with break them. These rules are sub-consciously archived by the individual that forms the basic of our conscience. The disobiendence and failings to follow these rules results in guilt which then leads us to the weakening of our power and more submissive responses to the authority. I see this as a strong, valid argument as we can see it happening in every day life. For example when children misbehave they show signs of guilt and shame. Also many murderers and criminals have had an unstable upbringing with their parents as unsuitable role models which results in the failure of internalizing he basic moral principles that we learn as a young child and we we carry through with us throughout our life in the form of the conscience. For example, the case of Mary Bell who murdered two young boys, was found not guilty for her actions resulting from being given overdoes by her mother then being forced into prostitution and abandoned.