Study Links Religious Freedom, Economic Well-being

By Michelle C. Rindels

WASHINGTON (RNS) Religious freedom goes hand-in-hand with economic well-being and freedom of the press -- but not necessarily with a secular or religiously oriented government.

Those are the some findings of a global survey conducted by the Center for Religious Freedom at the Hudson Institute, a conservative-leaning think tank in Washington, D.C.

Researchers registered no significant correlation between church-state issues and religious freedom. That means that countries with state religions and those with secular governments are equally likely to be religiously oppressive.

The study also uncovered a strong link between religious freedom and economic freedom.

"Now we have proof that closed religious systems foul economic development and actually stunt economic growth," said Paul Marshall, a senior fellow of the Center for Religious Freedom, at a panel discussing the results.

President Bush Discusses Economic Stimulus Rebate Checks

The White House, The South Lawn, THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. It's obvious our economy is in a slowdown. Fortunately, we recognized the signs early and took action. I signed an economic growth package that will provide tax rebates to millions of American families and workers to boost consumer spending.

On Monday, the Treasury Department will begin delivering the first of these tax rebates by direct deposit. During the first week alone nearly 7.7 million Americans will receive their tax rebates electronically. Then on May 9th, the IRS will begin mailing checks to millions more across America.

By this summer, the Treasury Department expects to have sent rebates to about 130 million American households. These rebates will provide eligible Americans with payments of up to $600 a person, $1,200 for couples, and $300 per child.