Crossword Genius

Religious believers curtailed underwear thefts (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pantheists

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'religious believers' is the definition.
'pantheists' can be an answer for 'believers' (pantheist is a kind of believer). I am not certain of the 'religious' bit.

'curtailed underwear thefts' is the wordplay.
'curtailed underwear' becomes 'pant' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'thefts' becomes 'heists' (heist is a kind of theft).
'pant'+'heists'='PANTHEISTS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for pantheists that I've seen is " religious folk".)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times.
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