... as a result influence economic performance. Our principal aim in this paper is to analyze the effects of religious beliefs on a nation's economy. For example, organized religion might influence laws and regulations that affect economic incentives. Adverse examples would be restrictions on credit and insurance markets and more general discouragement of the profit motive. We would like to know how religiosity affects economic performance, but we also have to worry about reverse effects from economic development to religion. And is it also a possibility, as religions are as diverse as they are numerous, that different religions have different influences on economic performance? In order to compare the effects of religious beliefs on the economy and vice-versa, we need a brief introduction of some of the most influential world religions. Each of these religions has characteristic traits and values. Although some of these are similar, the way that the culture embodies ...

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