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Religion and persecution

Author

Listed:
  • Umair Khalil

    (Deakin University)

  • Laura Panza

    (University of Melbourne and CEPR)

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between local religiosity and episodes of persecutions in Europe between 1100 and 1850. We introduce a novel proxy for measuring local religion: the cult of saints in early Western Christianity. Our findings show that cities with an established cult of a saint are 11% points more likely to engage in Jewish persecutions and witch trials. However, cities with more progressive gender norms, measured by the presence of a female saint cult, are less likely to persecute witches compared to male-only saint cities. Our baseline relationship persists after controlling for a range of city-level economic, geographic and institutional characteristics and after accounting for other major confounders. Suggestive evidence points towards two mechanisms behind the saints-persecution relationship: (i) changes in norms induced by longer exposure to Christianity; and (ii) proximity of religious groups due to congruence of religious festivities.

Suggested Citation

  • Umair Khalil & Laura Panza, 2025. "Religion and persecution," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 30(1), pages 87-159, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jecgro:v:30:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10887-023-09240-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s10887-023-09240-w
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    Keywords

    Minority persecution; Religious institutions; Religiosity; Middle ages;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • N33 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • N43 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • N93 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • Z12 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Religion

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