The Relationship between Religion and Economic Growth: A Study of Religiosity and Social Capital

Abstract

This  research will prove that: the better the religiosity, the higher the work ethic. This  research also wants to show that there is a causal relationship between religion and economic growth. The similarity with academic communities such as Max Weber is that there is a clear causal relationship between religion and economics. Then Adam Smith's view that individual behavior in relation to religion combined together could explain how religion and economics work together. And religious beliefs  especially beliefs in heaven, hell and life after death  tend to increase economic growth. Meanwhile, Islam itself is closely related to economic growth, which makes it easier for muamalah activities, such as buying and selling and trading. More than that, there is a difference with other academic communities that religion is opium or poison for society. And third parties think that religion is an exogenous factor and that there is no causal relationship between religion and  economic growth.