Randomizing Religion: the Impact of Protestant Evangelism on Economic Outcomes*
通过对菲律宾极贫家庭进行新教价值观教育的随机实验，发现六个月后受助家庭宗教虔诚度和收入提高，但劳动供给、消费等无显著变化；三十个月后宗教差异消失，但消费和相对经济地位有提升迹象。
Abstract We study the causal impact of religiosity through a randomized evaluation of an evangelical Protestant Christian values and theology education program delivered to thousands of ultrapoor Filipino households. Six months after the program ended, treated households have higher religiosity and income; no statistically significant differences in total labor supply, consumption, food security, or life satisfaction; and lower perceived relative economic status. Exploratory analysis suggests that the income treatment effect may operate through increasing grit. Thirty months after the program ended, significant differences in the intensity of religiosity disappear, but those in the treatment group are less likely to be Catholic and more likely to be Protestant, and there is some mixed evidence that their consumption and perceived relative economic status are higher.