Most religions do boil down to 'Don't Be a Dick', which is why I get so frustrated when that's the one thing people DON'T get out of them!

Mmm, yeeeeeeep.

I don't know how the author doesn't influence writing/worlds. This is a HORRIBLE example, but I'm having trouble thinking of a good one since work is all distracting: I mean I think I could write Spring Heeled Jack because I can figure out the motivation to tear a woman apart. But that doesn't mean that I would, just that I can intellectualize that and feel that. THEREFORE, given certain circumstances maybe I could tear a woman apart. WHO KNOWS.