"You who are on the road must have a code that you can live by". - from song "Teach Your Children" by Graham Nash of CSNY circa 1970 or earlier
Lyric Source:
CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG LYRICS - Teach Your Children
People do live and evaluate decisions according to a "code" or set of values that they live by. It would be chaos if people evaluated each decision without a beginning set of values to shape the way that they initially filter and analyze information.
Based upon your own set of semantics and definitions, some would call that code their "religion". Religion can be defined broadly or narrowly. Some definitions that are more narrow would say that religion includes a belief in God. Some definitions of religion that are more broad would say something like religion is a code that you live by.
Many say the etymology of religion lies with the Latin word "religare", which means “to tie, to bind.”
Many societies and organizations as well as many individuals have a "code" that they live by that binds them. IMHO, that "code" may or may not include a theistic element.