Is religion necessary for morality?

[tonychanyt]

Wiki:

Utilitarianism is a family of normative ethical theories that prescribe actions that maximize happiness and well-being for all affected individuals

From the utilitarian viewpoint, God is not an absolute necessity for morals. However,

the theological utilitarians had the option of grounding their pursuit of happiness in the will of God; the hedonistic utilitarians needed a different defence.

Why is it a popular belief amongst religious people that morals have to come from god?

Christians believe that man by nature is sinful and no good, Mark 10:

18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.

Nature itself does not command or demand people to be moral. Do you think that the origin of morality can be explained from a natural worldview?

Yes, to some extent. It is called utilitarian ethics:

Utilitarianism promotes "the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people." When used in a sociopolitical construct, utilitarian ethics aims for the betterment of society as a whole. Utilitarianism is a reason-based approach to determining right and wrong, but it has limitations.

Is religion necessary for morality?

No, but it may work better if there is a righteous God who holds everyone accountable. Let me be clear: I am not promoting Utilitarianism. I am a Christian who loves Jesus. Christ is the standard for me.

 

[QvQ]

No, but it may work better if there is a righteous God who holds everyone accountable. Let me be clear: I am not promoting Utilitarianism. I am a Christian who loves Jesus. Christ is the standard for me.

"Jesus said"
We are so familiar with the Gospels that we lose sight of how unusual and counter-intuitive the Laws of God really are. Left to human's own devices, man's moral code is based on "what profits a man" and "what best orders society," the very heart of self serving interest.
Man alone, could not and never has devised a moral code so clear, concise and transcendent to man's understanding of "moral" as is found in the Old and New Testament.
The Law of God transcends man's ability to invent, because it is not what pleases man but what pleases God.
"God so loved the world" so what pleases God is in the very best interest of man.