Particle Thing: I wonder if you might find some comfort in acknowledging a distinction between absolute and objective morals. I consider myself a moral nihilist re absolute morals. But I accept the existence of objective morals just as I accept the existence of the rules of chess. It is an objective (but not absolute) truth that pawns cannot move backwards. I am comfortable abiding by that rule and taking it seriously when I play chess, even though I know it is not an absolute truth.

And anyone who asks "but is it really true that pawns cannot move backwards?" shoulders a very heavy burden of showing what "really true" means.

Same for the rules about not torturing children.

IMHO (at this point in my journey anyway :-).