The question is: does high religiously create poor economic conditions, or do poor economic conditions produce high religiosity? Many who live in poor economic conditions find solace in the idea that their situation will improve in the afterlife. Where does the money that the churches collect in Jamaica go? If it is spent helping those in need, then the benefits of taxing the churches won't be as big as you have calculated.
3 weeks ago | 6
Excellent point, Alexx. Where does all that wealth go? Definitely not on the poor who need it. Mi agree wid everything yu write.
3 weeks ago
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hegemon of religionism --- economics is scarcity -- belief is identity
3 weeks ago | 0
Yea. They won’t allow you to attack religion at all. Thats the confusion that really got the world even more than politics.
3 weeks ago
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Thankfully I'm not burden by religion. At 14 years old. I said enough. 69 now retired and comfortable. I suppose I went wrong somewhere.
3 weeks ago
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Don´t really understand why they took it off the net, but these days stranger things are happening right? Maybe next time. In the mean time, be blessed and stay free!
3 weeks ago
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Alexx, I believe you're conflating totally unrelated issues. The primary reason why Africa and the Caribbean are poor is corruption, NOT Christianity. Also, I don't know where you're getting your numbers from. How can the Jamaican church generate >$110 M US per year when the per capita GDP is US $6,800 and so few people go to church today compared to say 40 years ago. Have you ever thought about the fact that some basic tenets of Christianity are don't lie, don't steal, don't cheat people in business dealings, and pay workers an honest wage? No such ethos exists in secular or atheistic cultures. In other words, every man does what's right in his own eyes. Finally, I see you "conveniently" left the US off your list. 62% of Americans claim to be Christians, and their per capita GDP is $82,000. I'd love to see how you explain that away. ✌🏾♥
3 weeks ago (edited) | 2
Hmm, maybe try releasing to Subscribers Only or Members Only? Then to compensate for missed views, do some 2 minutes Shorts -increase speed to 1.5X allows you to squeeze 3 minutes into 2. I'm not Youtube savvy, just a thought. Oh, and the Shorts may prompt increased subscribers/members. But like I said, I'm not youtube savvy. Bless up
3 weeks ago
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This is a long episode religion doesn't save anyone only by grace through faith in Chirst Jesus not by work any shell boast but by faith through Chirst Jesus 👑
3 weeks ago
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I subscribe to your channel and I love your content. But it is Interesting, as a historian you are pinning all economic woes on Christianity? Would you like your data sources on this?
3 weeks ago | 0
Elite Jamaica Official Channel
Tried to upload this as a video, but it was removed immediately!!
How can Religion help Your Economy
Let’s be clear from the start: this discussion focuses on the Christian religion, not all religions. The influence of Christianity, specifically its institutions and wealth, on economic outcomes is a topic that often goes unaddressed. When we examine the economic effects of religious institutions in different parts of the world—comparing secular and religious countries—a troubling pattern emerges.
In nations like Sweden, Japan, and Denmark, where large portions of the population identify as atheist or agnostic, the economy tends to flourish. Sweden, for example, has a GDP per capita of $68,000, with 73% of its population identifying as atheist or agnostic. Japan, with 60% of its population secular, boasts a GDP per capita of $40,000. Denmark, similarly, has 61% of its population identifying as secular and a GDP per capita of $68,000. These countries prioritize education, innovation, and progressive policies, all of which contribute to their economic strength.
In contrast, many religiously devout nations—especially in the Caribbean and parts of Africa—show weaker economic performance. In Nigeria, for instance, the GDP per capita is a mere $3,500, and in the Philippines, it’s just $2,000. Despite having resources and hardworking populations, the role of religion in these nations often stifles critical thinking, innovation, and progressive reforms, contributing to economic stagnation.
Now, let’s turn our focus to the Caribbean, where religion—particularly Christianity—dominates the lives of the population.
Determining the exact total debt owed by Caribbean countries to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is challenging due to varying reporting practices and the dynamic nature of financial obligations. However, available data provides some insights: Jamaica: As of March 2023, Jamaica's debt to the IMF was approximately US$797.95 million. Barbados: At the same time, Barbados owed about US$480.39 million to the IMF. Dominican Republic: The Dominican Republic's IMF debt stood at approximately US$682.20 million. Haiti: Haiti's debt to the IMF was around US$276.77 million. The Bahamas: The Bahamas owed about US$260.65 million to the IMF. Suriname: Suriname's debt to the IMF was approximately US$112.61 million. Grenada: Grenada owed about US$35.46 million to the IMF. - St. Lucia: St. Lucia's debt to the IMF was around US$30.58 million. - St. Vincent and the Grenadines: This country owed approximately US$29.29 million to the IMF. Dominica: Dominica's debt to the IMF stood at about US$19.96 million. These figures are based on data reported by St. Vincent Times in March 2023.
The total debt owed to the IMF by the listed Caribbean countries is approximately US$2.73 billion.
While the region is rich in culture and natural resources, it struggles with crippling national debts. The financial debt of the entire Caribbean is staggering.
Now, let's extrapolate the total revenue of Christian churches in the Caribbean based on available data. Using Jamaica as a reference, we can estimate a rough figure for the region.
Step 1: Use Jamaica as a Benchmark
• Reported revenue from 431 registered churches in Jamaica in 2021: J$17 billion (US$110 million)
• Jamaica has over 10,000 churches, meaning the total revenue is likely much higher.
• If we assume an average revenue of US$255,000 per church (as per available data), the total income of all churches in Jamaica could be over US$2.5 billion annually.
Step 2: Scale to the Caribbean
• The Caribbean region has a population of about 44 million, with Jamaica's population at 2.8 million (~6.4% of the region).
• If church revenue scales roughly with population, we estimate total church income for the Caribbean using the Jamaican per capita church revenue as a guide.
Based on extrapolation, Christian churches in the Caribbean would generate an estimated total revenue of approximately US$35–40 billion per year. However, this is a rough estimate since church operations, tithing practices, and financial transparency vary widely across the region.
But here lies the paradox: with just a fraction—merely 7-10%—of what the Christian church generates annually, the Caribbean’s national debt could be completely paid off.
This figure is mind-boggling, yet it raises an important question: where does all that money go?
The Christian church in the Caribbean, with its vast financial resources, could be an economic powerhouse capable of transforming the region. Yet, much of this wealth is funnelled into religious institutions, with little tangible benefit for the people who are most in need. The church, while accumulating wealth at an extraordinary rate, could significantly reduce poverty, improve infrastructure, and stabilize the economies of Caribbean nations. Instead, the region continues to suffer, with religion playing a central role in perpetuating the status quo.
The question remains: if the church holds the financial power to uplift entire nations, why is this wealth not being used for the benefit of the people? The Caribbean could see a dramatic shift in its economic fortunes if the wealth generated by religious institutions was redirected toward public welfare and national development.
In conclusion, while secular nations continue to invest in their future through innovation and education, the Caribbean, with its deeply religious institutions, remains mired in debt and poverty. The church has the financial resources to change this, but the question is whether it will ever use its wealth for the benefit of the people it claims to serve. If the church truly cares for its community, it must step up and play a pivotal role in addressing the economic challenges facing the Caribbean.
When it comes to Jamaica, the church could easily pay off these debts with just a 4-5% per cent of what it makes annually.
Something to think about.
Stay blessed
3 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 46