Some of the arguments in favor of that religion limits development are that, in some countries, apparently, one can see how governments (mainly the non-secular) are investing large sums of money in the promotion of religion by for example, financing construction of centers of worship or by financing religious schools. There are some countries that, despite having a large share of their population living below the poverty line, spend their resources on worship centers, which in many cases have a better infrastructure than the homes where people live. Some governments seem to prioritize promoting religion rather than other needs such as education, health and water and waste management.

On the other hand, however, what is clear is that over humanity, people and countries have evolved and progressed using religion as a factor of cohesion and development. There are many literature that hightlights the religious institutions as key player in developing countries for the following reasons:

1) It is important to consider the religion as a non reduced form and with ideas of imposition but as a tool that presents itself as spiritual beliefs including factors as ethics and the relationship with an outer self. Teosofia, (2011) stresses that the basic principles of most religions are based on ethics (and spiritual) principles such as for respect, cooperation, assistance to fellow man, discipline, morality, sense of good and evil, love and forgiveness.

2) Religion provides a powerful motivation for people to act the ways they do. Such as Ellis, S,m (2007) states, religion provides not only of many of the world’s people moral guidance, but also with the will to improve their lives. We can not forget that religion is a belief deeply rooted in many communities which focus their lifestyle on carrying out adequately with the religion needs.

3) In many cases, religion acts as a leader of an entire community and allows to dialogue and influence directly on the policies carries out. We cannot forget that the religion acts often as a major social actor who can absorb the real needs of their faithful and let analyze from a higher perspective which are the community trends and realities.

4) Religious networks often have a very influence in the country being a very important way to connect, with for example, to distribute the humanitarian aid. They have the power to deliver humanitarian assistance effectively and efficiently due to their “importance” among the population and the inability of many to respond negatively to their spiritual representative. In many cases, it is important also that the religious institution not only represents the spiritual reality of the population but also is a direct reflection of the behavior of the population. Thus, being able to analyze the different religious networks let, in many cases, know the situation of the community. Therefore, according to my view, Religion is a key player to improve the delivery of humanitarian aid.

In order to explore which is the real relation between religion and development, two maps of the HDI, and the Religion people by country have been included. The map of the HDI shows that while Australia, Europe, USA, Chile and Argentina, among others have a greater HDI and most African countries have the lowest HDI.

Map 1. World map of the International Human Development

Source: International Human Development  (2011)

The second map shows the second indicator; the percentage of the popultion that claim to be religious. It can be inferred that among the most religious countries are located in Africa, North America and (it is important to highlight countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia).

Map 2. World map depending on the percentage of religious people.

Source: GallupPoll (2009)

Putting together both maps and comparing the trend shows the relation between both indicators is negative.It means that considering these data and these assumptions, can be inferred that the most developed countries are not as believers than the less developed countries. However, it is important to note that in order to do a deeper analysis it would be necessary to include other indicators as well as historical and education factors for instance.

In the analysis has been included more than 146 countries belonging to each of the categories assigned by the HDI (high, high, medium, low).

Figure 1. Relation between HDI and Religion Porcentage.

Source: Own elaboration

According to the previous analysis, perhaps the effect of religion is not as positive for development as it is usually assumed. However, from my point of view, in order to make a real evaluation, it is necessary also to analize other indicators such as education level or history among others, due to they can influence directly in the relation represented before. It would be also important to include indicators such as the important role that the religion has in the community and its social cohesion and the efficiency to deliver the humanitarian aid.

Sources:

Ellis, S., (2007). Retrieved: 03/12/2011 from: http://hir.harvard.edu/religion-and-development?page=0,1)

GallupPoll, (2009). Retrieved: 03/12/2011 from: http://www.gallup.com/poll/114211/alabamians-iranians-common.aspx

International Human Development  (2011). Retrieved: 03/12/2011 from:  http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/

Philip Lieberman (1991). Uniquely speech, thought and, human selfless behaviour. President and Fellows of Harvard College.

ReligiousTolerance, (2011). Retrieved: 03/12/2011 from http://www.religioustolerance.org/rel_theory1.htm

Tesofia (2011). Retrieved: 03/12/2011 from:  http://www.teosofia.com/PT.html

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