Religion is often understood as belief—faith, rituals, spirituality. But at scale, it operates as one of the most enduring systems in human history, structuring behaviour, economies, movement, identity, and institutions across continents. It does not just shape what people believe; it shapes how societies organise. At its core, religion is a framework of meaning. It defines values, rules, and practices that guide daily life. These rules translate into systems—what people eat,