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This chapter explores the evolutionary and social roots of religious terrorism, examining how intergroup conflict dynamics and the co-optation of religious systems contribute to the emergence and perpetuation of extremist behavior. The authors integrate evolutionary psychology with sociological insights to demonstrate how groups may manipulate religious ideologies to enhance cohesion, justify violence, and mobilize resources against perceived out-groups. By analyzing the adaptive functions of belief systems, ritual practices, and social hierarchies, the work provides a framework for understanding the appeal and persistence of religiously motivated violence. Its contemporary relevance is significant: in an era of rising religious extremism globally, insights from this research inform counterterrorism strategies, community resilience programs, and policy interventions aimed at mitigating radicalization. The chapter also provides a scientific basis for interdisciplinary engagement, connecting psychology, sociology, and security studies in the analysis of terrorism and conflict.The chapter’s strengths include its interdisciplinary and theoretically rigorous approach, blending evolutionary psychology with conflict and terrorism studies to offer novel insights into group-level mechanisms behind religious violence. Its analytical framework is valuable for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to understand the structural and cognitive drivers of extremism. Limitations include a primarily theoretical focus with limited empirical case studies, which may reduce applicability in operational counterterrorism settings. Nonetheless, the work provides a foundational perspective on religious terrorism that is both innovative and academically credible.A significant and innovative contribution to understanding the evolutionary and social mechanisms underpinning religious terrorism. It is highly relevant for inclusion in repositories focusing on terrorism studies, intergroup conflict, and the psychological and sociological underpinnings of extremist behavior.