Includes bibliographical references (pages 365-452) and index

"Religion in the twenty-first century is alive and well across the world, despite its apparent decline in North America and parts of Europe. Vigorous competition between and within religious movements has led to their accumulating great power and wealth. Religions in many traditions have honed their competitive strategies over thousands of years. Today, they are big business; like businesses, they must recruit, raise funds, disburse budgets, manage facilities, organize transportation, motivate employees, and get their message out. In The Divine Economy, economist Paul Seabright argues that religious movements are a special kind of business: they are platforms, bringing together communities of members who seek many different things from one another--spiritual fulfilment, friendship and marriage networks, even business opportunities. Their function as platforms, he contends, is what has allowed religions to consolidate and wield power"-- Provided by publisher.

Introduction -- Part I. What does religion look like in the world today? -- What is religion? -- What is happening to religion in the modern world? -- Part II. How do religions gain their power? -- The demand for religion -- Choosing communities : the platform model of religion -- Ritual and social bonding -- Religion and belief -- Religion, narrative, and meaning -- The evolutionary origins of enchantment -- The temple society : and other business models -- Part III. Religion and the uses of power -- Religion and politics -- The great religion gender gap? -- The abuse of religious power -- Part IV. Conclusion -- The past and future of religion -- Conclusion.