If you don't like the word 'religion,' you can replace it with 'ideology' - it's largely the same thing. At the heart of both religion and ideology is the question of authority and where authority is coming from.

In this quote, Yuval Noah Harari draws a parallel between religion and ideology, suggesting that both share core similarities, especially in their relationship to authority. Harari points out that whether we are talking about religion or ideology, both systems are built around the question of authority—specifically, where authority comes from and how it shapes the beliefs and actions of individuals. In other words, both religion and ideology seek to provide answers and structure by claiming a legitimate source of power or truth that influences followers' behavior and worldview.

By saying, "If you don't like the word 'religion,' you can replace it with 'ideology,'" Harari challenges the common distinction between the two. He argues that whether one adheres to a religious belief system or a secular ideology, the underlying mechanism is often the same: both are frameworks that attempt to guide individuals' lives based on certain principles or dogmas. The authority in both cases may come from different sources, whether it is a divine entity in religion or a political or philosophical authority in an ideology, but the function is similar in providing structure and meaning to people's lives.

Harari's statement invites us to consider how power operates within both religious and ideological systems. In both contexts, adherents are often asked to accept the authority of a set of ideas or figures without question, and this authority helps to shape societal norms and behaviors. By equating religion with ideology, Harari suggests that both can be used as tools for control and social organization, even if the content of what is being believed differs widely between the two.

The origin of this quote can be traced back to Harari’s broader examination of human history, ideas, and societal structures, particularly in his bestselling book Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. In his work, Harari explores how humans have created complex systems of belief, from religion to nationalism, that serve as both guiding forces and methods of social cohesion. His argument that both religion and ideology revolve around authority reflects his view that much of human history has been shaped by the ways in which people organize themselves around shared ideas, whether those ideas are spiritual or secular.