Book review: ‘The Divine Economy’, by Paul Seabright

Religious privilege exists when religious beliefs and interests are treated as more important than secular ones. Discussion of religion often rests on the presumption that it is inherently special. Paul Seabright's new book, The Divine Economy: How religions compete for wealth, power and people, offers a different approach to religion by viewing it through an economic lens.

The central thesis of The Divine Economy is that religious organisations are businesses. Specifically, they are platforms which give members access to the benefits that come with being part of a religious community, often including a wide range of services and social opportunities.

Seabright also applies this economic perspective to religious violence, saying that conflict is motivated primarily by competition for resources, with their most valuable resource being worshippers.

The Divine Economy mostly sidesteps theological questions but argues that theological beliefs that outsiders (and many insiders) find difficult to accept are a feature, not a bug, of religions, as they create an in-group of believers and an out-group of non-believers. He argues that converts to a religion do not usually join because they believe in its theology. This usually comes later and serves as a demonstration of loyalty to the group.

While religion may be declining in Europe, Seabright is keen to emphasise that it is not doing so globally. He argues religion will not disappear, because religious organisations can adapt to suit their members' needs. He also notes that there will always be incentives for politicians to harness the power of religion and for religions to seek political power to gain privileges or competitive advantage over rivals. Secularists should take note as this demonstrates there will always be new challenges for those who seek to maintain a separation of religion and state.

The chapter on abuse of power is especially interesting. Seabright gives personal insight into the problem of sexual abuse in religious settings. As a teenager, he attended the notorious evangelical Christian Iwerne summer camps, where sexual predator John Smyth worked as one of the organisers. Smyth used his position to groom boys and young men, who he would beat with a cane to purge them of 'sexual sin'. When colleagues became aware of Smyth's abuse of his position, they encouraged him to leave the country. He moved to Zimbabwe where he continued to abuse young men.

Seabright was never targeted by Smyth and knew nothing of his proclivities until Smyth was exposed decades later. However, he notes that the camps were intended to groom young men for roles in the Church and that there was a fixation on the corrupting effects of sexuality. He was approached by leaders who flattered him and asked intrusive questions about his personal life. He stopped going after attending a lecture where boys were told that masturbation was "hammering nails into the hands of the crucified Jesus". He notes that these conditions were ideal for a sexual predator such as Smyth and that the culture of silence within the organisation allowed him to escape justice.

Seabright notes that sexual abuse is not exclusive to religious organisations and that it occurs when conditions allow predators to operate, and a culture of silence prevents them from being exposed. He argues that the structure of the Catholic Church has enabled the abuse perpetrated within its institutions and that abuse can only be prevented when structural and cultural problems are addressed.

The conclusion discusses what Seabright calls "religious exceptionalism", where religions are treated as special. Seabright is critical of this approach, arguing that religions are ultimately businesses and, like other businesses, can become corrupt when they are not subjected to proper scrutiny. He notes that religions often have a lot of control over their members and that it is in those members' interests to ensure religions cannot abuse their power.

The Divine Economy is refreshing in that it is neither pro nor anti religion. Seabright recognises that from an economic perspective, religions operate in a similar manner to other organisations and are as susceptible to corruption and abuse as other institutions. His answer is religious organisations should be just as accountable. He is clear that the relationship between religion and the state will always present challenges that we must be prepared to face head on for the benefit of religious and non-religious people alike.

The Divine Economy: How Religions Compete for Wealth, Power, and People by Paul Seabright was published in May 2024 by Princeton University Press and is available from all major bookstores.