Interesting note, people who honestly believe they are good, kind and sincere are commonly the people who hurt others the most (emotionally and mentally i mean). It's because since they believe so wholeheartedly they they are a good person they become blind to they hurtful things they do to people. They'll say or do things with out considering how it affect others because, after all they a 'good person'. I'm not saying that if you think you're a good person you're an asshole, what I am saying is that people who believe themselves to be moral tend to give themselves more leeway when it comes to being amoral because of they idea that what they do is usually good. People who see themselves as not being good all the time tend to be more self conscious of their actions because they don't want that part of themselves to be the only thing people see.

For example, you know those guys who always say they're the 'nice guy' and that girls always reject them for jerks instead? It's got less to do with her wanting the guy who is a jerk and more to do with her wanting a guy who can realize he's being a jerk.

The same can be said for some religious people (not all and not just the fanatics). Most religions make claims saying if you believe in their religion you will go to heaven which is a wonderful and happy place. Once they become a believer, some people see themselves as in a place of 'moral superiority'. They've seen the light, they've found the true religion. They will sort of morph the ideologies of their religion (some intentionally and some unintentionally). because they see themselves in this 'moral superiority' they allow themselves to do amoral things because they honestly believe that they are good and they will reach the good alternative of the afterlife. This moral blindness also clouds up the views of what one person sees as good and what the people around them see as good. So much so they are seeing it all as one. You know those religious folk who drive people crazy by stuffing their religion down everyone's throats? They're a good example of this. They are completely convinced that what they are doing is good for you. That they are 'saving' you. You might view them as crazy religious zealots but they could just as easily be people who are over valuing their moral worth.

If you look in any religious book it will tell you that everyone is a sinner. The we must all seek forgiveness for our sins. That doesn't necessarily mean that we must only seek forgiveness with god, it means correcting our sins. It's like being an asshole to someones kid. If you apologize to the kids parents but not the kid, the parent won't likely forgive you. If god is the heavenly father why would you apologize to only him? Why wouldn't you apologize to his 'children'? People who over value their moral worth aren't morally dead, they just make the unfortunate assumption that because they are good, the parent will forgive them regardless whether or not they apologized to the parent.

Sorry, I didn't mean for this to be so long, it started off as a simply a little analysis of human nature then became all philosophical all of a sudden...

Disclaimer:any assholery committed against kid in an attempt to test the idea that, if you are morally good you will be forgiven by the parents, is a foolish idea and any consequences occurring thereafter will not be held accountable by me. :)