Religion in the US is worth $1.2 trillion, new study shows

Religion in the US is worth $1.2 trillion a year, according to a new study from the Faith Counts organisation.

The study entitled The Socio-economic Contribution of Religion to American Society: An Empirical Analysis, by Dr Brian Grim of Georgetown University and Melissa Grim of the Newseum Institute, analysed the economic impact of 344,000 religious congregations around the country, religious institutions and religion-related businesses.

The total economic contribution of religion to the US is equal to the world's 15th largest economy and is more than the annual revenues of the top 10 tech companies, including Apple, Amazon and Google, combined.

A stained-glass window at the Washington National Cathedral. Four times as many people visit US churches for their architecture as visit museums. Washington National Cathedral

The study also noted that almost 120,000 congregations report attracting visitors for their art or architecture each year, nearly four times the number of American museums visited during the same period.

"For the first time, we have been able to quantify what religious institutions, faith-based charities, and even businesses inspired by faith contribute to our country," said Dr Grim. He continued: "In an age where there's a growing belief that religion is not a positive for American society, adding up the numbers is a tangible reminder of the impact of religion. Every single day individuals and organisations of faith quietly serve their communities as part of religious congregations, faith-based charities, and businesses inspired by religion."

During the last 15 years the amount of money spent annually by religious congregations on social programmes has tripled. Examples of the social issues addressed by these congregations and religiously-oriented charity groups include alcohol and drug abuse recovery, veteran and veterans' families support, HIV/Aids programmes and support or skills training for unemployed adults.

Faith Counts is a multi-faith campaign aimed at promoting the value of faith. Spokeswoman Kerry Troup said: "From our work with diverse faith communities across the US, we know that despite differences among individual religions, there are many more things that bring us together. This study shows that faith is still a cornerstone of our economy and society, and we're actively working together to celebrate and promote its value."

News
Church leaders call for peace at Easter
Church leaders call for peace at Easter

Church leaders have used their Easter messages to appeal for peace in the world. 

How a chance encounter led to an Easter song
How a chance encounter led to an Easter song

At Easter one of the lesser-known songs is “Wounded for Me”. It has an interesting backstory …

Fear and silence grip Colombian hamlet after eight Christians vanish
Fear and silence grip Colombian hamlet after eight Christians vanish

A Colombian hamlet is gripped by fear following the forced disappearance of eight residents - seven of them Protestant church leaders and members - after responding to orders issued by a guerrilla group earlier this month.

A decade of bloodshed: NGO report reveals more than 20,000 Christians slain in south-east Nigeria
A decade of bloodshed: NGO report reveals more than 20,000 Christians slain in south-east Nigeria

More than 20,000 Christians have reportedly been brutally killed over the past decade across south-east Nigeria, according to a disturbing report by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), a Catholic-inspired human rights organisation.