What role does religion and philosophy play in NOMADS?

As usual, religion and philosophy play a big role in NOMADS. And while I’m always skeptical about religion, this time I have something positive to say about the subject.

Here is an excerpt from NOMADS 13 (in progress)

The Akkato pilot led Dominic to the rear of the ship, where there was an assortment of said protective suits, along with all sorts of machinery and equipment. As the Akkato mentioned, it was enough for the crew, consisting of humans and Akkato. However, they were only suitable for short outdoor missions in hostile terrain. Dominic tried to recall the way through the cave. It was impossible. Too much time had passed and he had walked the path only once. So a longer search for Sira presented a problem.
“I read in your faces,” Aruk remarked to Assun, “You doubt?”
Dominic suppressed the impulse to contradict. However, he knew the religious beliefs, be they human or Akkato, that allowed even a hero to have doubts and fears. “I am skeptical,” he said.
“Someone who believes can have doubts,” the Akkato said. “Unlike the unbeliever, the believer never becomes a cynic. One who does not believe is full of anxiety and fear. He sees no sense in misfortune. We, on the other hand, climb to a new level of confidence and trust. Nothing can shake us.”
Although Dominic was reluctant, there was a truth in the Akkato’s words that he could not deny, or simply dismiss. He decided to make this view his motto for the next few hours. It couldn’t hurt.