I'm not sure I understand the question. Is this a chicken and egg thing?
We already have the answer for which came first the chicken or the egg.
What I have to come to realize that this is freedom to sin vs God's laws or natural laws thing. God doesn't like sin.
To use an analogy as example, traffic laws are man-made,yet they are based on natural laws. It is impossible to violate the laws of nature without paying the consequences. If one steps off the roof of a relatively tall building, then gravity will get you every time. You could be seriously injured or killed. While drivers may not experience consequences every time they violate traffic laws, but sooner or later the laws of nature will take effect. The odds of you getting a ticket goes up with the number infractions.
Thus, people sin all the time; it is our nature and people want to not be penalized for it. However, they are and just do not want to admit it. Thus, the number of atheists keep going up.
Ahh, yes. That universally sustaining benediction hurled by the angriest religionists:
"You'll get yours"
I really have to ask if you think the gods want or need you to be a Mafioso type enforcer.