Religion is the force in the world too often glossed over which has the power to raise and befall civilization, a property it shares with population, food, labor, government, taxes, etc.
Religion is notoriously difficult to analyze, given how much variation occurs from time to place. Looking at religion through the lens of culture does help, but many "at-large" religions, such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Taoism, and even general Atheism can be grouped. Observe: