Thomas is puzzled as to how Bertie always wins their races. Bertie reveals he uses a shortcut as he's been re-routed. Thomas is annoyed by this, until Percy gives him the idea of using his own shortcut.
A religion is a belief system with rituals. The missionary kopimistsamfundet is a religious group centered in Sweden who believe that copying and the sharing of information is the best and most beautiful that is. To have your information copied is a token of appreciation, that someone think you have done something good.