Religion is an expression of the moral instincts evolution created in Homo sapiens.

Thanks everyone. I recently had this discussion with a former paster who feels it's secular, which surprised me.

I go with a general dictionary definition of what morality is but I decide which I think is good or bad, right or wrong, according to my needs with the clear understanding that my needs might not be the same as someone else's and vice versa. They do include consideration to those around me and I strive not to cause others any undue harm.

I do think what religions teach as a moral code will differ from one to the next, and which they find more important will also differ from one to the next. But I also think it can be quite secular according to what an individual decides for themselves.

We could get into ethics as well... but I think I need more coffee for that... lol!

No.

Morality comes from humanism and is stolen by religion for its own purposes.

I think there are two types of Christian morality, or at least a continuum with widely diverse extremes. On the one extreme there is the "do the loving thing" ethic based in the Golden Rule, the Good Samaritan story, the Beatitudes, etc., while the other is "do the self-righteous thing," maybe based on the legalisms of the Old Testament and the Pauline letters. Of course, there may be overlap and personal conflict when the two seem to disagree. But I see no reason why an ethic of love cannot be a secular ethic as well--; that is, I don't see why it has to be commanded by a God to be a viable ethical guideline.

I don't think one has anything to do with the other.

i find more non religious people to have a far better moral compass than the very religious.

Two completely different things. It's like fine wine and drunk driving.