Part II | Outline

Category G | Extrinsic Benefits

Topic 34 | The good religion does

One way to promote religious freedom is to highlight and articulate the good things that religion does, both for individuals and for society. The list is long and robust (although sometimes contested).

Key idea  

• In the past religion’s contributions to the social good appeared self-evident (at least in the Anglo-American world), but today they are much more contested. Religion is often expected to justify itself in terms of its good works or good effects. And religion may be expected to prove that the good it does outweighs the harms it ostensibly causes.

Key dangers  

• Instrumentalizing religion. One key danger of focusing solely on the good religion does is the instrumentalization of religion, framing religion primarily as a means to an end. It can also frame religion as not intrinsically valuable but valuable only insofar as it justifies itself through its positive contributions to society.

• Empirical disputes. Another danger of focusing on research to highlight religion’s benefits is descending into empirical disputes about how reliable the asserted correlations are, or whether correlations imply causation. It is not hard to find places (such as China) where prosperity has been enhanced while religious freedom has been suppressed.

Key research  

• Despite dangers in requiring religion to prove its “worth,” highlighting the good religion does may be helpful in some contexts because, to many, the good religion does is largely invisible. In her article “The Impact of Religion and Religious Organizations,” law and religion scholar Elizabeth A. Clark gathers and discusses extensive research providing evidence of religion’s positive effects on individuals and society. Much of that research focuses on the good religion does in the categories below.

  • Personal well-being. Religion can contribute to individuals and their family’s well-being by providing a sense of purpose, meaning, and hope.
  • Moral framework and positive social norms. Religions provide a moral compass and ethical guidelines for individuals and communities.
  • Social cohesion. Religion can foster a sense of belonging by creating social capital and community among its followers.
  • Altruism and charity. Many religions emphasize the importance of helping others— encouraging acts of charity and promoting altruistic behavior.