We study the climate as a determinant of religious belief. People believe in the divine when religious authorities (the “church”) can credibly intervene in nature on their behalf. We present a model in which nature sets the pattern of rainfall over time and the church chooses when optimally to pray in order to persuade people […]

The post Praying for Rain appeared first on Marginal REVOLUTION.

Comments In reply to Rahul. “Did we need a study to tell us that?” ... by EdR * My late father was a farmer in a dry part of South Africa. He ... by Boerseun * Are economists running out of things to study? by Raghu Parthasarathy * I am not sure what they are actually proving here. That people ... by Rahul Related Stories Who first declared that God is dead? * All Desire is a Desire for Being * Black Magic Technology