Over the past few years Hoosiers have witnessed a rather obvious groveling of political leaders at state and local levels who bend over backwards to please high tech companies in meeting their political demands. One only need to remember the “RFRA fix” that was rushed through the Indiana state legislature at lightening speed. Many politicians and groups like the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce now claim that embracing a radical sexual agenda is going to create jobs or grow a local economy . . . even if it comes at the expense of religious liberty.
There is a remarkable new study that should put this myth into a better perspective. An analysis from Georgetown University finds that the economic value of religion in American society is bigger than any of the top 10 tech companies combined revenue, including Amazon, Apple and Google.
The study, entitled The Socioeconomic Contributions of Religion to American Society: An Empirical Analysis, finds that religious faith accounts for up to a jaw dropping $4.8 TRILLION in economic value to the United States.
The study breaks down its findings into three estimates of economic value. The first, and lowest, estimate only takes into account the revenues of faith-based organizations, which are around $378 billion annually. The second, middle, estimate includes the fair market value of the goods and services that religious organizations and its members provide, boosting religion’s economic impact up to $1.2 trillion. The third, and highest $4.8 trillion figure includes the household incomes of religiously affiliated Americans.
Casting aside the value of faith in order to embrace politically correct sexual anarchies that are opposed by every major world religion’s teachings seems shortsighted and politically foolish. Still, we have seen numerous Indiana city councilors and mayors do just that with so-called “non-discrimination” ordinances since the RFRA fix.
The authors make another point tied to the decline in religion and its cost. They write:
“Understanding the socio-economic value of religion to American society is especially important in the present era characterized by disaffiliation from organized religion . . . “Given the division of opinion on religion’s contribution to American society, this present study seeks to shed light on the topic by making an estimate of religion’s socio-economic value to society. Indeed, we should know if the decline in religion is likely to have negative economic consequences.”
The study reminds readers of the massive economic footprint of faith upon America. It also seems to confirm that attacking religion and religious freedom has no economic benefit. Wanting people to keep their faith within the walls of their home or church, as the mayor of Carmel, Indiana suggested, could have an adverse economic impact over time.
If people of faith ever flex their economic muscles like tech companies do, the idea of a $50,000 fine against Christians who believe in natural marriage would never even be proposed by politicians, let alone passed unanimously, as happened in Columbus, Indiana.
