Empathy existed before religion, it's a part of human evolution. That simple

I think that is one of the most common concerns religious people have about the non-religious: they conflate belief in the supernatural with morality.

My kid’s response is, “imagine you are babysitting a child. Do you want to hurt or abuse the child? Is that because your religion tells you not to? Chances are you wouldn’t want to hurt a child whether or not you have any religion. Well...that’s how I feel about all morality.”

Morality (or lack of it) exists before people attach religious ideas to it. And it will exist after the supernatural speculation dies away.

I have learned not to discuss anything with religious people

No but if I did I'd have some fun with them, fake them into thinking I had done all sorts of horrific things and had no idea whats wrong with it before asking wtf is wrong with them and telling them they need Jesus ? Then I guess I'd have to explain mirror neurons, the biological imperative for empathetic nerve systems, the undeniable benefits of the golden rule and how christianity didn't invent compassion, etc. It'll be a long night but at least it started with a laugh.

My sense of morality comes from how I was raised (religion-free) and from myself.

nobody knows I am agnostic.......so nope......

I would ask them where they find morality in a bible that is so full of immoral actions justified and sanctioned by an immoral god.