Do religious “beliefs” respond to evidence?

Do Religious Beliefs Explain Preferences for Income Redistribution? Experimental Evidence

Due to the mixed empirical evidence bearing on the economic determinants, beliefs have been at the center of attention of research into preferences for income redistribution. We elicit preferences for income redistribution through a Discrete Choice Experiment performed in 2008 in Switzerland and relate them to several behavioral determinants, in particular to religious beliefs. Estimated margin...

How Do Agricultural Subsectors Respond to Productivity Shocks? Evidence from a Bayesian DSGE Model in Iran

Understanding the dynamics of productivity shocks is instrumental if we are to identify the sources of economic growth. This paper, investigates dynamic effects of positives productivity shocks to agricultural subsectors during the period from 1991-2015, by disaggregating agricultural sector in Iran into four key subsectors (crops, livestock, fishing and forestry) through an estimated DSGE mode...

Choosing palliative care: do religious beliefs make a difference?

Religious Beliefs, Religious Participation and Cooperation

The paper analyzes the relation between religious beliefs, religious participation and social cooperation. In particular, we focus on religions that instill beliefs about the connection between rewards and punishments and social behaviour. We show how religious organizations arise endogenously, analyze their e¤ect on social interactions in society and identify a "spiritual" as well as a "materi...

Medically valid religious beliefs.

Patient requests for "inappropriate" medical treatment (violations of the standard of care) based on religious beliefs should have special standing. Nevertheless, not all such requests should be honored, because some are morally disturbing. The trouble lies in deciding which ones count. This paper proposes criteria that would qualify a religious belief as medically valid to help physicians deci...