Freakonomics Radio

176. Does Religion Make You Happy?

Jul 24, 2014
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ANECDOTE

Parental Tithing Happiness

  • Joel Rogers' mother believes giving 10% to the church makes them happier than anything else they spend money on.
  • Joel argues from an economist view that having the money instead might make one happier but respects his parents' perspective.
INSIGHT

Giving and Happiness Link

  • There's a strong association between religious giving and happiness, but causality is unclear.
  • Happier people might give more, or having more money might enable giving, complicating cause and effect.
INSIGHT

Giving vs. Attending Trade-off

  • Increasing charitable giving leads people to attend religious services less; the two are substitutes.
  • Giving money can replace time spent attending, showing a trade-off in religious participation activities.
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